No shortage of storylines are following the Dallas Cowboys as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, but one is starting to dominate the conversation. A growing wave of reporting suggests Dallas is a team to watch when it comes to trading up from No. 12 overall.
Meanwhile, the No. 20 pick has taken a backseat, as it could be included in a potential trade-up package depending on how aggressive Dallas gets. But what if the selection is kept? That will depend on how the board falls, but it's become increasingly likely that Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood would be the pick.
In a recent mailbag for The Star-Telegram, Nick Harris affirmed the Cowboys' interest in Hood and threw out some prospects that are flying under the radar a week away from draft night.
"This is a fun one. I think Miami defensive end Akheem Mesidor, San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson and Miami cornerback Keionte Scott are all defenders whom Cowboys fans should monitor.
Of course, the top four of LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, [Caleb] Downs, [Sonny] Styles, and [Rueben] Bain are names to watch, too. And if the Cowboys get to No. 20 and still haven’t taken a defensive back, I would definitely pencil in Hood."
The Dallas Cowboys may be tipping their hand with Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood
Harris is now the second Cowboys insider to "pencil in" Hood at No. 20. Previously, Bobby Belt of 105.3 The Fan, who's been on Dallas' interest in Hood from jump street, also penciled in the former Volunteer.
"I have comfortably felt like for the last month or so, pick 20 I've been penciling in as Colton Hood . . . They like him. They do like him. If you're wanting to get a head start on a player and somebody who has a decent shot to end up here in Dallas, Colton Hood's not a bad place to start," Belt said.
Harris and Belt are as plugged-in as anyone on the Cowboys beat. The fact that they’re hearing similar rumblings about Hood suggests there’s real fire behind the smoke.
Trading back from No. 20 to recoup a Day 2 pick is a popular idea among fans, especially with Dallas holding just one selection in that range (No. 92 overall). That path becomes even more plausible given the team’s interest in Hood, who's projected to come off the board late in the first round or early on Day 2.
In Peter Schrager's latest mock draft for ESPN, Hood went No. 29 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs. If the Cowboys are confident they can move back a handful of spots from No. 20 and still land Hood, that has to be in consideration, especially if they use the No. 92 pick to move up from No. 12.
Is Hood good enough to be drafted at No. 20? No doubt. But it would still be a reach based on consensus boards. If Dallas is higher on him than the rest of the league, it should work the phones and see how far it can move back while still getting him.
Hopefully, that option remains in play, because the rest of the NFL will catch on to the Cowboys’ interest in Hood at some point, if they haven’t already.
The hand-tipping is undeniable at this point.
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