COWBOYS MOCK DRAFT GRADE D+

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Letter grade with a four-component score, written analysis, and a pick-by-pick breakdown for every selection in this saved mock.

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D+

Dallas Cowboys

Quarterback settled, Mendoza in the fold, and a D+ for the Cowboys.

by GRM · 2026 NFL Draft · 16 picks · 4 steals · 4 reaches
Value B-
Need B+
Trades F
Future A+

There was a run on nobody at that position, and the Cowboys started one anyway for Caden Curry, 64 picks ahead of schedule. The process wobbled, and the D+ is where it lands.

Overpaying at the table undid a lot of the good work elsewhere. So much rides on Fernando Mendoza that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him.

If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through running back. The Wright pick alone nudges the whole weekend up a notch.

In short, the board sent warnings, and they will be hoping it was wrong.

Pick-by-Pick

R1.1 · Pick 1 · Fernando Mendoza · QB · rank 4
In pick 1 they get a passer to set the clock by. A clean fit for the roster.
R1.12 · Pick 12 · Mansoor Delane · CB · rank 8
In the 12th overall pick they get an island corner at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
R1.20 · Pick 20 · Jordyn Tyson · WR · rank 23
In slot 20 they get a go-to option on the outside. The biggest hole, addressed.
R1.30 · Pick 30 · Sonny Styles · LB · rank 20
In pick No. 30 they get the heartbeat of the defense, outstanding value to boot. It fills the loudest need on the roster.
R2.6 · Pick 38 · Christen Miller · DL · rank 56
A big swing on Christen Miller at the 38th pick, well ahead of any board in the building. A need, and now a little less of one.
R3.3 · Pick 67 · Caden Curry · DE-EDGE · rank 131
They left a pile of value on the table to take Caden Curry this early at No. 67. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
R3.28 · Pick 92 · Michael Taaffe · S · rank 68
Somehow Michael Taaffe was still sitting there in pick 92, and they pounced on premier safety value. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
R3.30 · Pick 94 · Treydan Stukes · CB · rank 96
Treydan Stukes in the 94th pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R4.2 · Pick 102 · Jacob Rodriguez · LB · rank 72
A linebacker of that caliber at the Round 4 slot is the definition of value, full stop. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
R4.12 · Pick 112 · Keylan Rutledge · OG · rank 114
By-the-book stuff, Keylan Rutledge at Round 4, Pick 12 squarely in line with his ranking. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R4.17 · Pick 117 · De'Zhaun Stribling · WR · rank 111
A reasonable price with a little left over, De'Zhaun Stribling in the 117th overall pick. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R4.34 · Pick 134 · Keagen Trost · OT · rank 184
Keagen Trost at No. 134 is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
R5.12 · Pick 152 · Skyler Gill-Howard · DT · rank 151
Skyler Gill-Howard at pick No. 152 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It fills a real need, too.
R5.37 · Pick 177 · Bobby Jamison-Travis · DT · rank 212
Bobby Jamison-Travis at slot 177 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
R5.40 · Pick 180 · Josh Cameron · WR · rank 187
They paid sticker price for Josh Cameron in the 180th overall pick, and that is fine. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
R7.2 · Pick 218 · Dae'Quan Wright · TE · rank 186
You do not let a tight end like Dae'Quan Wright reach Round 7, Pick 2 and blink. They did not. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
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