After months of anticipation, the time has come. In just a few hours, the Dallas Cowboys will be on the clock in their most important NFL Draft in recent memory.
With two first-round picks for the first time since 2008, and pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball, the pressure is on Jerry Jones and company to deliver after some underwhelming recent draft classes.
Now that the countdown has officially started, let's take a stab at a final mock draft that presents the dreamiest of outcomes for the Cowboys. It will require a lot of luck, but what dream wasn't realized without falling into a bit of fortune along the way?
Final Dallas Cowboys 7-Round Mock Draft is the dream outcome
Round 1, Pick 12: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher Arvell Reese falling to No. 12 is the dreamiest outcome, but all signs point to him being a top-five pick.
Caleb Downs is a close second, however. He's listed as a safety, but his real designation should be "playmaker." With the ability to contribute at all three levels, including in the nickel, the former Buckeye would be a perfect match with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
Downs is regarded as the best and smartest player in the class (No. 2 on FanSided's Big Board). He didn't have elite ball production at Alabama and Ohio State, but that didn't stop him from being the best player on the field from the moment he stepped foot in Tuscaloosa and Columbus.
Trade! Seeking to gain more draft capital, the Cowboys traded with the Miami Dolphins to move down from pick No. 20.
Round 1, Pick 30: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, Central Florida
A late riser in April, Lawrence is now widely expected to hear his name called in Round 1. With that, the smoke connecting Lawrence to the Cowboys has blossomed. In fact, ESPN's Peter Schrager had Dallas take Lawrence at No. 29 overall in his final predictive mock.
At 6'4" and 253 pounds with 33 5/8-inch arms and a 4.52 40-yard dash to boot, he's got pro-ready traits and athleticism. His suddenness of the snap and array of counters will allow him to be impactful while he learns to rush with power and be more consistent against the run.
Lawrence has one of the highest ceilings of any defender in the class. He'd be a fantastic pickup for Dallas at the end of Round 1.
Round 2, Pick 43: Keionte Scott, CB, Miami
It's only fitting that the Cowboys end up with one of Miami's star defenders. Trading back with the Dolphins puts them in range to select Scott, who took a 30-visit with Dallas.
A natural playmaker, Scott's stock has been soaring ever since he posted a 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day, taking him from a projected Day 2 pick to a potential first-rounder.
Scott's style of play could be mistaken for a linebacker. His grittiness and ability to snuff out run plays resemble those of Jourdan Lewis. That's a lofty comparison, but Scott, who projects as a nickel corner in the pros, could fill the J-Lew role that Dallas has sorely missed.
Round 4, Pick 112: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
Waiting until Round 4 to take a linebacker might not be a "dream" for some Cowboys fans, but credit should be given for not forcing the position just because it's a glaring need. Downs, Lawrence, and Scott are an A+ haul on Days 1 and 2. And Elarms-Orr is a worthwhile consolation prize.
With almost 2,000 career snaps between Cal and TCU, Elarms-Orr is the rare Day 3 pick that could contribute right out of the gate. He deserves every bit of his 9.33 Relative Athletic Score, as he can roam sideline-to-sideline against the run and cover backs and tight ends in the open field.
Round 5, Pick 152: George Gumbs Jr., EDGE, Florida
Gumbs had quite the college journey, converting from wide receiver to tight end and eventually to edge rusher. That kind of transition speaks to his attitude. He also made the leap from Northern Illinois to Florida with aplomb. That's not easy.
Despite being relatively new to the position, he has a variety of pass-rush moves. They need some refinement, but it's nothing that Cowboys pass-rush specialist BT Jordan can't fix. He's a projection more than a sure thing, but his prototypical build and relentless motor are worth betting on in the latter stages of the draft.
Round 5, Pick 180: Demond Claiborne, RB, Wake Forest
Brian Schottenheimer has said the team likes what it has behind Javonte Williams, but that shouldn't dissuade Dallas from taking a running back on Day 3.
The Cowboys attended Claiborne’s pro day, where running backs coach Derrick Foster got a close look at the former Demon Deacon. What he lacks in size (5'10", 188 pounds), he makes up for with long speed, as he ran a 4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine.
It's no secret that Dallas' ground game needs a home-run element. The team clearly hopes that Blue will take the RB2 role, but he won't be given a long leash after essentially redshirting as a rookie. Claiborne is a big play waiting to happen.
Round 7: Rene Konga, DT, Louisville
Believe it or not, Konga had a 30-visit with the Cowboys. Expect him to be high on Dallas’ priority list if he goes undrafted, but we saved Jerry Jones and Co. the trouble by drafting him with their final pick.
Konga is an explosive athlete for a defensive tackle (9.78 Relative Athletic Score). He didn't have great production in college, but his pass-rushing upside is worth a dart throw in Round 7, as he tallied a sparkling 25.2 percent pass-rush win rate on true pass sets in 2025, per PFF.
Defensive tackle isn't a pressing need, but it will need to be addressed next offseason in one way or another, as 2026 is exepcted to be Kenny Clark's last season in Dallas.
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