Cowboys replace Osa, trade for edge, add 2 LBs in new 7-rd mock draft

The Dallas Cowboys have done a fair amount of work during the first week of free agency, but they clearly are going to need to nail the upcoming draft in order to truly improve from their 2025 selves. That is much easier said than done, especially when acknowledging the draft isn’t supposed to be about a single year’s impact, but a long-term model for the organization.

With the additions the Cowboys have made in the secondary, they no longer have to draft safety or cornerback. Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke and Cobie Durant combine nicely with DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel and Malik Hooker as a back core ahead of the depth. The linebacker room is still a glaring issue and with the jettisoning of Osa Odighizuwa via trade, there’s now a hole at the 4i position as well. Long-range improvements can be made on offense, but if the team had to roll out with what they have now, they would still thrive in 2026.

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In our latest 7-round mock draft, we were once again wiped out of worthy selections for No. 12. Looking to capitalize on a draft that has a large middle, we engineered several trade downs from both of the Cowboys’ two first-round picks, including No. 20. Here’s the overall results.

No. 31: 4i Peter Woods, Clemson

Woods was worked out by new Cowboys DL coach Marcus Dixon at Clemson’s Pro Day, with the coach running his drill series. He fits in the ideal of the 4i, gap-and-a-half defender Christian Parker desires, and would slide in as the immediate replacement for the traded Odighizuwa.

If this Lance Zierlein scouting report for Woods on NFL.com doesn’t scream perfect fit for the 4i, what does?

Woods is a young interior defender with room to add play strength as he fills out his frame. He’s not a pure one- or two-gap fit, but he’s capable in both schemes. He plays with good lower-body explosiveness into initial contact, keeping his hands and feet synced to work around blocks when needed. He’s more of an active brawler than double-team eating tree stump. Shorter arms allow blockers to crowd his frame and force him to fight harder at the point. Yet, his ability to overtake and win as the rep progresses is impressive. He lacks quick-win talent as a solo rusher, but he’s fully functional as part of a pocket-collapsing collective. His 2024 tape might be a better representation of his upside, but Woods clearly has the potential to become a solid starter in an even front.

Dallas traded back from No. 12 to No. 22, adding No. 55 and a 2027 fourth-round pick to replace the one they gave up for Rashan Gary. They then traded from No. 22 to No. 31, adding No. 63 and losing No. 112.

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TRADE: 12 + 112 (1270 pts) = 31, 55, 63 (1226 pts), 2027 4th rounder

No. 32: MLB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech

The Cowboys ought to fall in love with Rodriguez, and grabbing him at the end of the first round allows them the fifth-year option for their new green dot middle linebacker.

Zierlein’s scouting report on Rodriguez:

Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive “athlete” and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker. He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception and forced fumble production. He’ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish. He’s slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off. Rodriguez displays ballhawking instincts and outstanding hands but busted coverages were part of the package in 2025. His unbridled urgency and “make every play” mindset can inflate missed tackle totals, but the production should outweigh the occasional headaches. He projects as a long-term starting inside linebacker.

Dallas traded back from No. 20 to No. 32, adding No. 64 here. More on this swap later.

No. 55: Edge Malachi Lawrence, UCF

Lawrence is a speedy, edge-turning rusher who has an array of pass-rushing attacks already in his arsenal. Adding him as a specialist for when Gary is deployed elsewhere or off the field could make him an immediate impact guy in Year 1.

No. 63: TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt

This is one of those opportunities the Cowboys would have to take. If they’ve resolved their primary needs in the defensive front seven, Stowers is simply too good to pass up at this point. He has elite yards-after-catch promise at the pro level.

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Yes, Jake Ferguson is Dak Prescott’s best friend on the team, but Stowers is an athletic marvel who would allow Dallas to have the most versatile TE room in the game when considering Brevyn Spann-Ford.

Trade: Edge Jonathan Greenard, Minnesota Vikings

Via their multiple trade backs, the Cowboys had the No. 64 selection and use that to acquire veteran edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Vikings. If he hasn’t been moved by draft day, this would be the perfect swap as Minnesota is said to be asking for a “Day 2 pick”. The final pick in the second round is the perfect option. Greenard had 25 sacks across 2023 and 2024, but injuries made 2025 lackluster. Adding him back to Marcus Dixon makes a ton of sense, and now the Cowboys have two talented veterans in he and Gary, plus two young players in the rotiation in Donovan Ezeiruaku and Lawrence drafted earlier.

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FINAL TRADE: No. 20, 92, 218 (985.8 pts) for No. 32, 82 (770 pts), Jonathan Greenard

No. 82: LB Anthony Hill Jr, Texas

Two linebackers? Yes, it’s time for the new version of Dat Nguyen and Dexter Coakley! Dallas in a 3-4 and dominant inside linebackers should go together, and then there’s the added bonus that DeMarvion Overshown could make it a three-headed monster if he recovers from his two ACLs better than he showed down the stretch last season. But Overshown will be a free agent, so the Cowboys should get going on his potential replacement, and Hill is a perfect guy for that.

No. 119: CB Malik Muhammad, Texas

No. 180: RB J’Mari Taylor. Virginia

Taylor does have the ability to house a run here or there, but his toughness and ability to do everything asked of him make him seem like the perfect injury insurance for Javonte Williams. Dallas can find their lightning in Jaydon Blue or UDFA market. This is a pick to keep the system intact.

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Mock Draft: Trade replaces Osa, fills final free agency gaps