The Dallas Cowboys are one of five teams that currently possess two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, and unless a trade happens, Dallas will add two top-20 prospects to its roster on draft night.
One first-round pick could change a franchise, and two could be even more transformative. That can only happen if the team gets the picks right. So what are the right picks?
Draft analyst Matt Miller answered that in a recent ESPN piece, mapping out the perfect first round for Dallas. The analyst argued that the ideal picks for the Cowboys would be taking edge defender Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 12 and safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 20.
If this actually happens on draft night, fans might start fantasizing about a Super Bowl.
The Dallas Cowboys drafting Rueben Bain Jr. and Dillon Thieneman in Round 1 is the dream
Last season, the Cowboys had an elite offense and a horrific defense, so it's no surprise that Miller has them taking two of the top defensive prospects in this year's class.
While Dallas did make some necessary additions on the defensive side of the ball in free agency -- Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, and Cobie Durant, to name a few -- Miller explained why Bain and Thompson would still be the best picks.
"Dallas signed Sam Williams to a one-year deal and traded for Rashan Gary, but this is still a roster that needs another speed rusher. Bain would bring exactly that, as well as power to the position.
At safety, Dallas signed Jalen Thompson and has Malik Hooker under contract for one more season. They could use another playmaker on the back end; Thieneman had eight interceptions and two forced fumbles in three seasons at Purdue and Oregon."
It’s hard to disagree with this approach — actually, fans would love this path. Bain is arguably the best edge prospect in the class after notching 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in his final year at Miami. He could be a top-five pick.
If, for some reason, he’s still on the board when Dallas is on the clock with the 12th pick, the team should be in a hurry to get the pick in.
Thieneman, on the other hand, is a consensus top-three safety in the class, with some teams reportedly having him as the best safety of the group over Ohio State star Caleb Downs. Adding his play-making ability to a defense that desperately needs it would be incredible value for the 20th pick.
The combination of Rueben Bain Jr. and Dillon Thieneman could spark a dramatic turnaround for the Cowboys' defense. Dallas only needs a league-average unit to contend for the playoffs, and those two would go a long way toward getting them there.
Jerry Jones and company just have to hope this perfect scenario can become a reality.