Cowboys Bolster Defense in 7-Round Mock Draft

Trade up for Bailey, grab 2 LBs and a CB in strong defensive haul

Apr. 20, 2026 at 4:10am

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting a football game broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes in navy blue, silver, and white, conveying the strategic reconstruction of the Cowboys' defense.The Cowboys' defensive-focused draft class aims to reshape their unit through a geometric cubist lens.Cleveland Today

In this final seven-round mock draft, the Dallas Cowboys make an interesting trade up to select edge rusher David Bailey, who fell out of the top five picks. They also add linebacker Hill and Elarms-Orr, as well as cornerback Avieon Terrell, in a strong defensive-focused draft class.

Why it matters

The Cowboys are looking to improve their defense after a disappointing season, and this draft class addresses key needs at edge rusher, linebacker, and cornerback. The team has been active in the pre-draft process, bringing in several of these prospects for 30 visits, signaling their interest.

The details

The Cowboys trade 12th and 20th overall picks, plus a 2027 2nd-rounder, to the Browns to move up to 6th overall and select Bailey, a 3-4 OLB who led the FBS in sacks last season. Later, they trade back a few spots to grab Terrell, an inside/outside CB, and add linebackers Hill and Elarms-Orr. This draft class provides depth and competition at key defensive positions.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 24th.

The players

David Bailey

A 3-4 OLB who led the FBS in sacks last season and is considered the preeminent edge rusher in this draft class.

Avieon Terrell

A cornerback with the ability to play both inside and outside, providing valuable versatility to the Cowboys' secondary.

Hill

A linebacker prospect who can chase down plays with his speed and was one of the Cowboys' 30 pre-draft visits.

Elarms-Orr

Another linebacker the Cowboys targeted, with a longer development curve but fits their need at the position.

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What’s next

The Cowboys will still need to acquire a veteran 'green dot' linebacker in the post-draft period to solidify the middle of their defense.

The takeaway

This draft class provides the Cowboys with key defensive reinforcements, addressing needs at edge rusher, linebacker, and cornerback. The team has been proactive in identifying and targeting these prospects, setting them up for a strong defensive turnaround in 2026.