NFC East

Dallas Cowboys NFL Draft Profile

How the Cowboys draft: the front office running the board, the needs shaping the next class, and every draft class we cover.

Compiled by the NFL Mock Draft Simulator research desk · Front office: Jerry Jones (GM), Brian Schottenheimer (HC)

Front office and philosophy

General manager: Jerry Jones  ·  Head coach: Brian Schottenheimer

The unique Cowboys model: Jerry Jones functions as de facto GM, making final calls on all picks. Schottenheimer's traditional West Coast offense values precision route runners and a capable OL. Jones tends to draft for star power and marketability alongside talent.

Jerry Jones has a fondness for high-upside, high-profile players regardless of need, often taking the highest-rated player at a glamour position. He heavily recruits from the SEC and Big 12, particularly Texas programs. Schottenheimer's system will push for reliable offensive contributors, but Jones ultimately controls the board.

These tendencies are encoded directly into the simulator: when you run a mock and the Cowboys are on the clock, the engine applies this regime's positional biases and its balance between best-player-available and need-based drafting. See how the simulator works for the full methodology.

Current draft needs

Our needs assessment for the Cowboys entering the 2027 draft cycle, ordered by priority. These weightings are what the simulator uses when it evaluates this team's board.

Team needs were researched for this class from current rosters. They predate free agency and will be revised after March 2027.

Draft classes

Division rivals

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