The expectation is that the Dallas Cowboys will use both of their upcoming first-round picks on defense in the 2026 NFL Draft. And after the way free agency has played out so far for them, that would be wise.
They’ve made a few nice additions with Rashan Gary and Jalen Thompson, but they needed at least two more quality starters, especially at linebacker and pass rusher.
However, teams don’t always draft just based on their needs for the upcoming season. A good example of that is the Cowboys selecting Tyler Booker in Round 1 last season. Dallas didn’t have a huge need at guard, but they deemed Booker as the best player available, and that’s why he was the pick at No. 12. It also helped that Booker was a pre-draft visitor, and that’s where he won over the coaching staff.
The Cowboys value the pre-draft interviews as it’s their chance to bring a top prospect into their facility and have him meet with the coaches and some of their current players. They almost always will select a pre-draft visitor in Round 1, and that’s why one of their upcoming visits is so fascinating.
The Dallas Cowboys will host Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. for a 30 visit
One of the fastest-rising prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft is Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., a talented receiver who is dynamic with the ball in his hands. In his latest top-50 prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft, Daniel Jeremiah just slotted Cooper in as the No. 18 player in the class. Lance Zierlein compared him to Deebo Samuel, and it’s not hard to see how he’ll fit into the NFL.
But it’s fascinating to see that the Cowboys are interested. Cooper is set to be a pre-draft visitor for the Cowboys, according to NFL Draft insider Ryan Fowler. The Cowboys are allotted only 30 pre-draft visits, and they are typically used for players that they have serious interest in selecting.
So how would Cooper fit in with the Cowboys? He can play all three positions, and his ability to make plays after the catch helps him fit into any offense. He got better every season in college and was the top target for the Indiana Hoosiers. But if Dallas were to select him in Round 1 (likely at No. 20), you can bet that means they are considering moving on from one of CeeDee Lamb or George Pickens.
With the Cowboys just restructuring the contract of Lamb, he isn’t likely to be moved anytime soon. But Pickens is a much more likely candidate to be traded, as he is currently on the franchise tag. Another scenario would be Cooper occupying the No. 3 role this season with the expectation that Pickens would leave in free agency in 2027.
Cooper is one of the best prospects in this class, and if the Cowboys are dead-set on drafting the best players available at No. 12 and No. 20, there is a chance that he’s at the top of their board when they are on the clock. But the more likely outcome here is that they are just doing their due diligence in case something would dramatically change in their wide receiver room between now and the draft.
The Cowboys are still expected to go defense twice in Round 1, but it never hurts to cover your bases, especially when a player like Cooper is flying up draft boards all around the league.