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The Dallas Cowboys have a huge need on defense, and in this mock they use their capital to acquire a ready-made solution.
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Cowboys trade for Maxx Crosby in 7-round mock draft, grab LB, dynamic RB
The Dallas Cowboys’ agenda for the coming offseason is immense. In under 100 hours, the regular season will be over and the team’s sole focus will be on fixing the myriad of issues facing the team. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a specific amount of buy-in he’s looking for, and the club is in need of adding players who work hard and have motors that don’t quit.
The Cowboys have shown, for better or worse, players who buy in are rewarded. The way they’ve remained committed to LB Kenneth Murray speaks volumes about the club’s priorities this season. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see if that hierarchy maintains or shifts. But what if they can have their cake and eat it too?
The Cowboys biggest to-do for this offseason is to find a solution for their biggest mis-step in 2025, trading away Micah Parsons. Dallas’ lack of pressure off the edge submarined the season, and finding a top-tier edge rusher is paramount to improving their defense, though hardly the only edict.
Thanks to events of the last week, it appears there may be an option on the table to acquire a proven edge rusher, and one who fits Schottenheimer’s personality clause; the Raiders‘ Maxx Crosby.
Crosby’s relentless motor is well renown, and his dedication to wanting to be on the field every possible snap is only surpassed by the fact he’s an elite talent. It makes sense for the Cowboys, who inquired about Crosby prior to the trade deadline, to revisit those conversations now that things between he and Las Vegas appear shaky.
In this seven-round mock draft, we explore what kind of trade could bring Crosby to Dallas, as well as what the rest of the haul could look like.
Cowboys trade 1.14, DT Osa Odighizuwa to Raiders for DE Maxx Crosby, 3.65
The Cowboys have an abundance of interior DT talent now, after adding Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams. Odighizuwa was signed to a four-year deal this past spring, and is now the team’s third-best DT. His upside is strong, and he’s a capable interior anchor for a team that is rebuilding like the Raiders. Them getting back a starting DT along with the No. 14 overall pick, while taking their franchise QB at No. 1, makes a ton of sense.
The Cowboys will slide Perrion Winfrey into Odighizuwa’s role for their three-DT front, and having Crosby opposite Donovan Ezeiruaku, with Jadeveon Clowney spelling them, gives the Cowboys a truly formidable defensive line that can lead to an immediate turnaround for the defense.
Cowboys trade 1.21, 5.179 to New England for 1.30, 3.94, 4.109
With the Packers‘ first-round pick, the Cowboys take advantage of the Patriots desire to move up and grab a couple extra selections for moving down nine spots. The numbers work out slightly in Dallas’ favor. 1.21 is worth 800 points, while their second fifth-round comp pick is worth 19.4 points. New England’s 1.30 is worth 620. 3.94 and 4.109 combine for 200 points, making it a virtual swap.
1.30: LB CJ Allen, Georgia
With Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles selected in the Top 10, the Cowboys’ turn to the SEC for their fix at the linebacker slot. He’s a bit undersized at just 6-foot-1, 235 pounds, but he’s elite in coverage, diagnoses plays early while showing patience, is adept at disengaging from offensive linemen, and packs a powerful punch as a tackler.
Trade: 3.65, 4.114 to Houston in exchange for 2.58
Dallas allowed the top running backs to fly off the board last year, but they won’t be making the same mistake in 2026, at least not in this mock draft. They jump up from the top of the third to the tail end of the second round with this manuever.
2.58 RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
Coleman is a wrecking ball who has one of the sickest lateral jump cuts one is going to find. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he seems ridiculously hard for the first defender to take down, which combined with the prowess of Klayton Adams’ blocking system feels like the perfect mixture for a RB who can average over 5 yards a carry.
Warning: NSFW music for the highlight reel.
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3.94: Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
McNeil Warren has already accepted a Senior Bowl invite, which means he’s going to be a top 75 player once he convinces orgs that he can play at that level. For now, we’ll snag him while he’s available this late. He’s what Dallas wants Donovan Wilson to be.
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Remaining Picks
- 4.109: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
- 5.153: WR Bryce Lance, North Dakota State
- 5.177: OT Earnest Greene III, Georgia
- 7.215: Edge Damon Wilson II, Missouri