The Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 NFL Draft is shaping up to be unpredictable — and according to draft analyst Jeff Cavanaugh, it all hinges on who’s available at No. 12.
After blockbuster moves for George Pickens and Quinnen Williams, plus the shocking departure of Micah Parsons, Dallas owns two first-round picks (No. 12 and No. 20) — but won’t pick again until No. 112. That gap is why Cavanaugh strongly favors trading back to stockpile picks.
However, on a recent episode of Trust the Tape, he made one exception: six prospects he would absolutely take at No. 12.
Those names are:
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
- Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami
- David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
If none are available, Cavanaugh believes Dallas should move down and add much-needed draft capital to fill remaining roster holes.
The most intriguing name on the list is Jeremiyah Love. Widely viewed as the best running back in the class, Love would be a controversial pick at No. 12 — especially after Javonte Williams rushed for 1,201 yards last season. Still, history suggests Dallas isn’t afraid of bold moves. The selection of CeeDee Lamb in 2020 raised eyebrows at the time and turned into a franchise-altering decision.
Bottom line: if one of these six prospects falls, Dallas stays put. If not, expect a trade-down — and fast.
