It's the weekend after the NFL Draft, and for Dallas Cowboys fans, that means one thing: amateur hour is officially over. The pundits have handed out their instant grades, the talking heads have debated reaches versus steals, and we're left to parse what it all means for a team that came into April with more questions than answers.
The 2026 draft class for the Cowboys won't be truly judged for at least two seasons. But on paper, there's plenty to like--and just enough to raise an eyebrow. Let's walk through each selection, assess the fit, and assign an early grade that accounts for value, need, and the ever-mysterious Cowboys draft board.
Round 1, Pick 24: Ashton Gillotte, EDGE, Louisville
The pick: When the Cowboys went on the clock at No. 24, the board fell in a way that forced their hand--or, depending on your perspective, handed them a gift. Ashton Gillotte, the explosive Louisville edge rusher, was still available despite being a consensus top-20 prospect.
Gillotte brings a relentless motor and a polished pass-rush repertoire that should translate immediately on third downs. He's not the longest player (31 3/4-inch arms), which explains why some teams passed, but his get-off and bend are elite. With veteran DeMarcus Lawrence entering the final year of his contract and Micah Parsons drawing constant double teams, Gillotte steps into a rotation that could make him an instant impact piece.
Fit: Defensive coordinator Christian Parker values versatility on the edge. Gillotte's ability to rush from both a two- and three-point stance gives the staff flexibility. He'll likely start as a situational rusher before pushing for a larger role.
Grade: A-
They got a first-round talent at pick 24. Small concerns about his length and whether he can hold up against the run as a full-time player, but this is a home run for a team that needed to get younger and more disruptive up front.
Round 2, Pick 56: Cooper Beebe, IOL, Kansas State
The pick: The interior offensive line has been a quiet mess for Dallas--a problem that went unaddressed for too long. With Tyler Smith locked in at left guard, the pivot and right guard spots needed competition. Enter Cooper Beebe, a four-year starter at Kansas State who played guard and tackle but projects best as a center.
Beebe is a technician. He's not going to blow anyone off the ball in the run game, but his processing speed and hand placement make him a reliable pass protector. The Cowboys have been searching for a long-term answer at center since Travis Frederick's retirement. Beebe might not start Week 1, but the team clearly expects him to win the job by midseason.
Fit: Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams wants to run inside zone more consistently. Beebe's ability to reach the second level and sustain blocks fits that philosophy. He also brings leadership and durability--he never missed a game at Kansas State.
Grade: B+
Solid value in Round 2 for a player who fills a glaring need. The only question: is he an upgrade over what they already have, or just another body in the competition? Early signs say he's the real deal.
Round 3, Pick 87: Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State
The pick: With Jake Ferguson establishing himself as a reliable starter, the Cowboys added a weapon who brings a different dimension. Bell is a flex tight end--more Dion Sims than Travis Kelce--but his ability to line up wide, in the slot, or attached gives the offense a mismatch piece they haven't had since Dalton Schultz left.
Bell caught 48 passes for 554 yards last season at Florida State, adding 6 touchdowns. He's not a YAC monster, but he finds soft spots in zone coverage and has reliable hands. The downside: he's not much of a blocker, which limits his early-down utility.
Fit: The Cowboys have talked about featuring more 12 personnel (two tight ends) under Schottenheimer. Bell and Ferguson give them a versatile duo that forces defenses to choose between base and sub packages. Expect Bell to see 30-40 snaps per game as a rookie, primarily on passing downs.
Grade: B
Good player, clear role. The lack of blocking is a concern for a run-heavy offense, but the passing game upside is real. Solid third-round value.
Round 4, Pick 124: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The pick: This is where the draft got interesting for Dallas. Kool-Aid McKinstry, a first-round talent on some boards, fell to the fourth round because of a foot injury that required surgery in February. He likely won't be ready for training camp, but the Cowboys are betting on the talent.
McKinstry is a long, physical press corner who excelled at Alabama. His 2024 tape is better than his 2025 tape--where the injury clearly bothered him--but the traits are undeniable. He's 6-foot-1 with 32-inch arms and the kind of jam at the line that Christian Parker covets in his Cover 3 scheme.
Fit: If healthy, McKinstry competes for the boundary corner job opposite Trevon Diggs. More realistically, the Cowboys stash him on the NFI list for the first half of the season and let Stephon Gilmore hold down the spot.
Grade: A-
The injury risk is baked into the price. Getting a potential starter in the fourth round is a massive win if the medical staff is confident. The upside here is enormous.
Round 5, Pick 163: Drake Nugent, C, Michigan
The pick: Double-dipping on interior line depth, the Cowboys select the Michigan center who was the anchor of the Wolverines' national championship run. Nugent is a smart, technically sound lineman who lacks elite athletic traits but compensates with play strength and processing.
Fit: Nugent will compete for the backup center job behind Beebe. He can also play guard in a pinch. This is a depth pick with a chance to become a long-term reserve.
Grade: B-
Solid value, but they passed on higher-upside players at other positions (corner, wide receiver) that could have used the depth. Still, building from the trenches is never a bad strategy.
Round 6, Pick 199: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU (again--no, seriously)
The pick: The Cowboys drafted Cox in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, but he spent two years on IR with a knee injury before being released. Now they bring him back on a rookie deal as a flyer. Cox is a former FCS All-American who has the athleticism to be a coverage linebacker but has played only 16 games in three seasons.
Fit: Special teams, mostly. The Cowboys need a backup to Leighton Vander Esch and Damone Clark, but Cox's injury history makes him a long shot to stick on the active roster.
Grade: C
A risk worth taking in the sixth round, but the odds are stacked against him. If he stays healthy, he's a steal. That's a big if.
Round 7, Pick 238: Isaiah Williams, WR, Illinois
The pick: The final pick of the draft for Dallas is a slot receiver who runs crisp routes and has reliable hands. Williams is undersized (5-10, 180) but knows how to separate. He caught 82 passes for 1,100 yards and 8 touchdowns last season.
Fit: The Cowboys are thin behind CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Williams has a real chance to make the roster as a punt returner and slot option, especially if the team moves on from KaVontae Turpin.
Grade: B
Good late-round flier. Williams has the production and polish to push for a roster spot, and seventh-round picks are essentially free lottery tickets.
Overall Draft Grade: B+
This is a strong, well-rounded class for the Cowboys. They addressed their top two needs (edge rusher, interior offensive line) with high-quality players, added a dynamic receiving tight end, and found a potential steal in Kool-Aid McKinstry. The later-round picks are depth gambles that could pay off if health cooperates.
The biggest question mark is at wide receiver--they didn't take one until the seventh round, and the room behind Lamb and Cooks is underwhelming. They also didn't add a running back, which remains a glaring hole after Tony Pollard's departure.
But in a draft where they had only seven picks and no second-rounder originally (they traded up in Round 1 to get back into the second), Jerry Jones and the front office executed a disciplined plan. They didn't reach, didn't panic, and added players who fill specific roles.
The Cowboys entered draft weekend needing to get younger and more versatile. On paper, they did exactly that. Now it's up to the coaching staff and the strength program to turn prospects into players. In Dallas, that's always the hardest part.