B+
Dallas Cowboys
Grand theft in Round 2, Pick 17: the Cowboys steal Allen and grade out a B+.
by MRJOECRAIG ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 5 picks
· 4 steals
· 0 reaches
Everything else got attention, and cornerback got none. That is a strange way for the Cowboys to leave a draft. Good, not great, and the B+ says as much.
Getting Allen where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. They squeezed a little extra out of every move they made.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the cornerback spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 18th overall pick they get a bell-cow for the offense, outstanding value to boot. A real need, handled.
In the Round 1 slot they get a green-dot type in the middle, and a steal at that. Exactly the need they had to hit.
They will replay CJ Allen at No. 49 for years; that is how good the value is. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Good price on Zakee Wheatley in slot 92, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Ja'Kobi Lane in pick No. 112. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.