The Cowboys don’t have to get cute in the third spherical of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Cowboys personal decide quantity 92 that was newly acquired in the commerce for Osa Odighizuwa, and the board strains up fairly cleanly with what Brian Schottenheimer and Christian Parker have already advised us about this crew and their plans. Parker is constructing a protection that may base out of a 3-4 look, however it’s a a number of entrance that places a premium on good, bodily defenders. Dallas has brazenly emphasised nickel nook and outdoors linebacker as vital spots on this protection, whereas Schottenheimer has additionally made clear the Cowboys nonetheless need Tyler Smith at left guard as they type out the finest 5 offensive linemen.
That makes the third-round dialog really feel fairly simple. Dallas ought to be on the lookout for considered one of three issues at at decide 92, a real center linebacker who can settle the entrance, a defender who cleanly matches the new 3-4 construction, or an offensive lineman who provides the teaching employees flexibility.
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Josiah Trotter
If Dallas needs to lean into the defensive reset, Josiah Trotter is considered one of the best linebacker targets in that vary. He brings the type of downhill mentality and pure instincts that make him simple to venture into the center of a protection. The Cowboys are a crew nonetheless looking for a real tone-setter at linebacker, somebody who can diagnose rapidly, play by way of contact, and provides the entrance somewhat extra edge. Trotter matches that image nicely. He might not be the flashiest choice, however he appears like the type of participant who might help stabilize the center of the protection and provides Dallas a extra dependable bodily presence.
Jaishawn Barham
Jaishawn Barham is one other identify that feels tailored for the place the Cowboys are headed. If Dallas needs to maintain including front-seven defenders who match a 3-4 construction with out sacrificing athletic upside, Barham checks quite a lot of packing containers. He seems to be like the kind of developmental edge defender who can develop into a much bigger function as an outdoor linebacker. That issues as a result of Dallas is not only on the lookout for go rushers in a vacuum. The Cowboys want gamers who can set the edge, rush the passer, and performance in area when wanted. Barham presents that type of projection, which makes him an interesting upside swing on Day 2.
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Domonique Orange
If the Cowboys need the cleanest schematic match on the defensive entrance, Domonique Orange makes a ton of sense due to being a 322-pound run-stuffing nostril who can contribute instantly. Dallas is clearly getting larger and extra bodily up entrance because it leans into Parker’s new entrance. If the objective is to maintain linebackers clear and make the run protection much less of a weekly journey, Orange seems to be like considered one of the most pure third-round matches on the board.
Romello Height
Romello Height is a traits-heavy, lean stand-up rusher who might develop into a Nik Bonitto-style menace in the proper scenario. He most likely wants extra energy earlier than he’s an entire participant, however that is the type of projection that is sensible in Parker’s protection. Height is not only a pass-rush specialist, he’s the type of lengthy, versatile athlete a 3-4 teaching employees can attempt to mildew into a real exterior linebacker.
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Treydan Stukes
Treydan Stukes is perhaps the most under-discussed Dallas slot in the total third-round vary as a high quality nickel with playmaking skill. Parker has already advised us how demanding the place is on this protection, so Dallas wants anyone in that function who can cowl like a nook, deal with like a linebacker, and blitz like a security. Stukes is not only a depth decide in that situation, he can be a direct reply to considered one of the most vital jobs in Parker’s system.
Gennings Dunker
On offense, Gennings Dunker stands out as considered one of the extra smart Cowboys targets. Here is a tailored guard regardless of his expertise at proper deal with. That is precisely the type of versatility Dallas ought to worth proper now. If the Cowboys actually need to hold Tyler Smith at guard however stay open to enjoying the finest 5, including a lineman with deal with expertise and inside projection provides them actual lineup flexibility with out forcing a panic transfer earlier in the draft.
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Austin Barber
Austin Barber is perhaps the most life like offense-at-pick-92 identify of the bunch due to being a 6-foot-7 school deal with who could possibly be tried inside in the NFL. That screams Cowboys worth. Barber provides Dallas the probability to draft an enormous physique with deal with background, develop him in a number of spots, and let the teaching employees work out the place he most closely fits over time. For a crew nonetheless making an attempt to settle the offensive line round its core items, that type of decide makes quite a lot of sense.
Justin Joly
And if Dallas needs to get somewhat extra inventive with out getting irresponsible, Justin Joly is an attention-grabbing wildcard. He’s a multi-tooled H-back with certain arms who understands leverage and works nicely in area. He wouldn’t be the most pressing decide, however he would match an offense that would use one other movable piece in the center of the subject. In the third spherical, that’s the type of luxurious swing that turns into simpler to justify if the Cowboys have already dealt with their greatest defensive difficulty early.