The Dallas Cowboys endured a nightmare season on the defensive side of the ball in 2025. It was so poor that they finished ranked 32nd in the entire NFL, meaning the worst unit among all teams in the league.
Jerry Jones, faced with this difficult situation, ended up furious. However, much of the blame fell on him after allowing Micah Parsons to depart just seven days before the start of the season.
By midseason, the team managed to slow the bleeding that deepened with each game. Still, it was not enough. The team continued to decline, which ultimately cost Matt Eberflus his job as defensive coordinator.
As the offseason progressed, Dallas hired Christian Parker as the new leader of the defense. There are many doubts surrounding his performance because he lacks experience as a coordinator. However, he has been given the benefit of the doubt.
There is also not much required to improve the team significantly. With a few adjustments and the arrival of key players, things could change drastically in a short period.
Jerry Jones must sacrifice the 12th draft pick and pursue a proven veteran
According to Pro Football Focus, the Cowboys should consider giving up the 12th overall pick, a move that could ultimately benefit them. They still hold the 20th overall selection, which provides an opportunity to add a strong contributor to the roster.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones likely views this roster as a Super Bowl contender that is just a piece or two away.”…”With two first-round picks, the Cowboys have the flexibility to leverage one of them to address the many holes on defense. That defense ranked last in both EPA allowed per play and success rate, underscoring the need for significant reinforcements. Trading one of those picks for additional draft capital in a defense-heavy class could allow Dallas to add multiple contributors and accelerate a turnaround on that side of the ball.
PFF’s John Kosko wrote.
Predictions for the Cowboys’ 12th draft pick
According to ESPN, the Cowboys, who urgently need to rebuild nearly their entire defense, would use the 12th overall pick to select a cornerback. Statistics suggest that it is unlikely for a rookie defender to make an immediate impact compared to an offensive player.
According to Matt Miller of the same network, Dallas would target Jermod McCoy with that selection.
Dallas’ cornerback room is full of question marks behind DaRon Bland due to the release of Trevon Diggs.”… Bland is solid, but the Cowboys need a corner who scares opposing QBs. McCoy missed last season following a torn ACL suffered in January 2025, but his 2024 tape was elite, with four interceptions and nine passes defensed. The 6-foot-1, 188-pound McCoy profiles as a physical outside cornerback with smooth moving skills in phase. He would have been my top cornerback in the 2025 class if he was draft-eligible.
Since arriving at The Star, Christian Parker has had plenty of work to do in determining who his first selection will be. The Cowboys’ defense urgently needs high-impact players capable of making a difference from their very first snaps.
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