For the first time since 2008, the Dallas Cowboys enter the draft with two first-round selections.

The Boys have a 12th and 20th overall pick this April. And they are leaving no stone unturned to strengthen their defense, which ranked dead last in points allowed last season.

"A double dip at edge in the first round for Dallas? Why not? A dominant pass rush unlocks any defense, and this would be the Cowboys' third major investment at the position this offseason," per ESPN draft analyst Field Yates.

Yates tabs Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr., at No. 12, calling him a natural fit. And at No.20, Yates doubles down with Missouri Tigers' Zion Young

“The mission to fix the Cowboys’ defense should start with the addition of Bain. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year has hands of destruction that will travel to the NFL, and he had 9.5 sacks last season for the Hurricane,” Yates added.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic projects trading up to a third overall pick (a projected trade with the Arizona Cardinals) for Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and then taking Washington receiver Denzel Boston at No.20.

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein pitches Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No.12.

“Jackpot! Look, Styles could go much higher. If the Giants don't take him No. 5 overall, he could be a potential trade-up target for a few teams. But if he's still on the board at the 12 spot, the Cowboys should be very excited,” Zierlein wrote on March 31.

And Styles is actually coming up as a "jackpot" pick for the Boys.

Cowboys' Eye Sonny Styles for Linebacker Role

Sonny Styles is a premier linebacker prospect from Ohio State University who has emerged as one of the Cowboys' main targets as they gear up for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft.

“Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, a likely Top 10 pick, has already had Top 30 visits with the Cowboys and Jets," National Insider for NFL Network, Ian Rapoport, reported on April 4. "He has the Commanders coming up, as well as the Bengals (technically a local visit).”

The Cowboys did extend an invitation to Styles for the Top 30 pre-draft visit after showing a lot of interest in the "violent" player who scored exceptional combine results, including a 4.46-second 40-yard dash.

The Dallas Cowboys have been actively looking for a defensive anchor following Micah Parsons exit, and adding Styles could be the answer to the Cowboys’ roster gap.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Shubhi Rathore