MOCK DRAFT: Could Dallas Cowboys Make BIG Trade Down From No. 12 | 2026 Mock Draft Simulation!

Summary

---

Locked On Cowboys Podcast - Episode Summary

Episode Title: MOCK DRAFT: Could Dallas Cowboys Make BIG Trade Down From No. 12 | 2026 Mock Draft Simulation!
Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool
Date: March 13, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode is the highly anticipated “Mock Draft Friday” installment, where hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool walk through a full mock draft simulation for the Dallas Cowboys in the 2026 NFL Draft. With a focus on strategic trade-down scenarios and maximizing draft capital, the hosts debate real-time draft decisions and discuss ideal Cowboys targets at each stage. They share insights into roster needs, player evaluations, and how Dallas could reshape its roster by leveraging picks—especially via a trade-down from the 12th overall spot.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting Up the Mock: Draft Board Rundown

[01:12-03:17]

• The Cowboys sit at pick No. 12, but many top prospects (Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, key linebackers) are already off the board.
• All receiver options are still available, as is rising offensive lineman Monroe Freeling.

Notable quote:
"All of the top options for the Cowboys are really off the board... but all of the receivers are available."
— Marcus Mosher [02:20]

---

2. Trade-Down Possibilities & Decision Making

[03:17-05:17]

• Landon advocates trading down: “I think you're probably going to get an opportunity to trade down, right?” [03:17].
• Trade options: Bears at 25 and 49ers at 27 both make offers.
• The hosts negotiate between picks and future capital. Options include picking up a 2027 first, a 2026 second, or additional fourth-rounders.

Deliberation Excerpts:

• “If they want to give me that second round pick, I mean, we can do that.” — Landon [03:50]
• “The idea that you get to... get back another first round pick next year, load up, have another year with two firsts—I think it's worth doing.” — Marcus [04:47]

Final trade accepted:

• Cowboys send pick 12 to 49ers for picks 27, 58, 127, and a 2027 second-round pick.

---

3. First Selection After Trade Down: Avion Terrell, CB

[05:17-07:00]

• At pick 20, Marcus lists best available: Caleb Banks, Akeem Mezador (DT), Emmanuel McNeil Warren (DL), Keldrick Falk (DE), Cassius Howell, Cade McDonald, and Omar Cooper (WR).
• Landon pushes for a defensive player; Marcus suggests Avion Terrell, a top corner who suffered only a minor hamstring tweak.

Memorable Exchange:

• “Would you take Terrell Avion Terrell and get your corner?” — Marcus [06:13]
• “Yeah, actually, I would take Terrell... he's certainly in, in the consideration.” — Landon [06:27]
• The hosts agree: Avion Terrell is the pick. [06:56]

---

4. Second First-Round Pick: TJ Parker, Edge Rusher

[07:00-10:46]

• At pick 27, both McDonald (DT) and TJ Parker (DE/Edge) are available.
• Landon weighs immediate run-stopping power (McDonald) vs. pass rush need.
• After debate, need prevails: TJ Parker is selected to boost the edge rush.

Notable quote:
"Parker would fit in great... just be part of a rotation. He's an experienced guy, so he could come in and have a pretty quick learning curve."
— Landon [09:39]

---

5. Second-Round Pick: Anthony Hill Jr., Linebacker

[10:49-12:01]

• With the pick acquired from the 49ers (58), top LBs available are Josiah Trotter, Kyle Lewis, Anthony Hill Jr.
• The hosts gravitate toward Anthony Hill Jr., citing fit and immediate upside.

Quote:
"Honestly, I think... you get a little bit of a bump here because I think he's a really good fit."
— Landon [11:46]

---

6. Third-Round Pick: Zakee Wheatley, Safety

[12:01-13:28]

• At pick 92, the Cowboys consider reinforcing safety or interior OL. Safety Zakee Wheatley stands out despite being a little “overage” but brings athleticism.
• Landon contemplates other options (Bud Clark, Connor Lou, Markel Bill) but defers to Marcus.

Decision:

• Zakee Wheatley is the pick for versatility and athletic traits at safety. [13:28]

---

Draft Recap & Strategy Reflection

[13:28-14:06]

• Cowboys’ haul: CB Avion Terrell, EDGE TJ Parker, LB Anthony Hill Jr., SAF Zakee Wheatley, plus a 2027 second-round pick.
• Marcus notes it’s a solid draft, if not flashy; Landon highlights the critical flexibility of having an extra future pick.
• "Those 2027 picks are going to be very valuable. So they're going to be good trade fodder if you want to use it."
  — Landon [13:52]

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• “If you want an interior defensive lineman... Daryl Jackson Jr. Who is a massive defensive tackle... Dante Corleone—you want the Godfather to be a nose tackle here. I like him.”
  — Marcus [10:49]

• “You probably gonna have a needed tackle at some point. You want a big guy, 345. He's a little bit... big guy!”
  — Landon [12:19]

• “We traded down in round one, picked up a second-round pick next year from the 49ers ... I like it. It's not my favorite mock, but I like it.”
  — Marcus [13:28]

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• [01:12] — Mock draft begins, intro and setup
• [03:17] — Trade-down options discussed
• [05:17] — Cowboys' first pick after trade down: Defensive board review
• [06:56] — Selection: CB Avion Terrell
• [09:39] — EDGE vs. DT debate at pick 27
• [10:49] — Second-round linebacker selection
• [12:01] — Third-round safety/position debate
• [13:28] — Full haul recap and philosophy on accumulating picks

---

Overall Tone & Style

The conversation is energetic, playful, and analytical, peppered with gentle ribbing between the hosts as they “bully” each other for picks but always return to consensus. Marcus steers with big-picture strategy; Landon provides detailed player fits and scouting insights. They keep the discussion both light and tactical—classic Locked On Cowboys.

---

Summary for the Non-Listener

This episode breaks down the Cowboys’ 2026 draft scenario in depth, providing sharp draft strategy, player fits, and a peek into the thinking behind value-based drafting and the trade-down approach. Even for listeners not caught up with roster specifics, it offers a revealing look into modern NFL draft manipulation and the type of voices guiding Cowboys fandom.

---

Transcript

[Marcus Moer]

Foreign.

[Arby's Advertiser]

Your team every day.

[T-Mobile/US Cellular/Wells Fargo Advertiser]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces.

[Landon McCool]

Switch to T Mobile and save up

[T-Mobile/US Cellular/Wells Fargo Advertiser]

to 20% versus Verizon by getting built

[Landon McCool]

in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the

[T-Mobile/US Cellular/Wells Fargo Advertiser]

cost of optional benefits plan features in

[Landon McCool]

Texas and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credits stop if you cancel any lines.

[T-Mobile/US Cellular/Wells Fargo Advertiser]

Qualifying credit required to be a Team USA skier. It takes dedication, determination and lots of hard work. But it doesn't take all that to score unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. Just use the active cash Visa credit card from Wells Fargo and tap to pay with that natural born and unwavering focus. Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases with the active cash Visa credit card from Wells Fargo. Terms apply. Visit Wells Fargo.com ActiveCash Visa proud sponsor of the Olympics and Paralympic Games

[Marcus Moer]

It's Mock Draft Friday here in the Loton Cowboys Podcast. We'll tell you our favorite picks for the Cowboys in round one next. You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day. Welcome back to the Locked On Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network. Your team every day. We'd like to thank you for making us the number one sports podcast network and today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into an even bigger potential win with a college basketball parlay profit boost. Head over to FanDuel.com to get started. Welcome back. I am your host Marcus Moer. He is Landon McCool and on today's show we are doing a one round mock draft. Maybe we'll go into round three depending on how much time we have now that the Cowboys actually have a third round pick. But la and without further ado, let's get to the mock.

[Landon McCool]

Please, please, let's get mocking.

[Marcus Moer]

Okay, here we go. So I will do my best to read out the picks. At pick number one, Mendoza Bain goes at number two to the Jets. Sonny Styles off the board at three to the Cardinals. Francis Moiaga goes to The Titans at 4. Jeremiah Love to the stinking giants. David Bailey 6. Arvel Reese Reese I know to the commanders at 7. Monsour Delaine goes to LSU or goes to New Orleans. Stays right in the state. Caleb Downs to the Chiefs. Spencer Fauna to the Bengals. Dylan Phenomenon wow goes to the dolphins at 11 so this is a really fun mock because, yeah, all of the top options for the Cowboys are really off the board. Like if you were hoping for Caleb Downs gone, were you hoping for one of the linebackers? Gone. But all of the receivers are available. Landon and Monroe Freeling, an offensive lineman who is really rising up the, the, the boards on the clock here at number 12.

[Landon McCool]

So to me, what this reads as. Hey, I think you're probably going to get an opportunity to trade down, right. The thing, the positions those teams will come up for, wide receiver and tackle, they're there and there are teams that have needs here. So I would definitely look at our options here, and it looks like that's what you're clicking through as we speak.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah, a couple of trades. The only ones we have are Bears at 25 and the 49ers at 27. Unless you want to trade out around 1. So the Cowboys just made a trade with the 49ers this week. Would you be open to doing another one and dropping all the way down to 27?

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think so. You want, if they want to give me that second round pick, I mean, we can do that.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah. So let's, let's go through some options here. Landon. So the Cowboys give up pick 12, 27, 58, 127th and 133 would all get it done. So you would get their first, their second and two fours.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think. And I mean that's a pretty far drop down. You look at where we are, like to 12, 27, it's, it's a lot. So that makes sense. I mean, I'm a little surprised it was more than just the, the second, the third and one fourth, but that's pretty great.

[Marcus Moer]

Here's another way you can do this trade. Instead of getting the second and the two fours, you could go picks 27 and their next year first round pick.

[Landon McCool]

What if they. What if he did 27.58 in one in round one?

[Marcus Moer]

Not gonna be done. No.

[Landon McCool]

Not gonna be done. Yeah. This is fun.

[Marcus Moer]

The, the idea that you get to, you know, kind of get back in a. Another first round pick next year, load up, have another year with two first round picks. I think it's honestly, to me it's worth doing.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. I mean, what about 2758 in around two next year?

[Marcus Moer]

Done.

[Landon McCool]

What about 2758? 127 in around two next year? Done. Do it.

[Marcus Moer]

Okay, we're gonna offer that trade. Boom, there you go. So let's, let's make our pick now. At pick 20. All right, great. Jermod McCoy off the board. All the receivers off the board. Top players available. Caleb Banks, my guy. Defensive tackle akeem Mezador. Emmanuel McNeil, Warren Caldrick Falk. Avion Terrell, Cassius Howe, Cade McDonald, Omar Cooper. Well, what looks surprising, there's a lot

[Landon McCool]

of good stuff here, right? Like, I would be comfy with Messador. I would be comfy with McNeil Warren. I would be comfy. I personally would be comfy with Keldrick Falk. I, I think I, you know, but I, but I think maybe considering our needs and what happens in free agency so far, I would definitely lean the other way though. Of the Cassius Howell who is also available or the Messador who's up there.

[Marcus Moer]

Would you take Terrell Avion Terrell and get your corner?

[Landon McCool]

No, I, I am, I. But he got hurt, didn't he, today in the, in the work?

[Marcus Moer]

He had a minor hamstring injury. He's fine.

[Landon McCool]

Oh. Oh, I thought he was. I thought it was more serious than that. So, yeah, actually I would take Terrell. I mean, I, I think he was. He's certainly in, in the consideration. I would also take Emmanuel McNeil Warren, who's also available. There's lots of good choices here, so I don't know.

[Marcus Moer]

I'm making you think you could pick here.

[Landon McCool]

If you're making me pick, then I'm picking Messador.

[Marcus Moer]

Okay. That's the one I didn't want you to pick, but go ahead.

[T-Mobile/US Cellular/Wells Fargo Advertiser]

Okay.

[Landon McCool]

No, no, this, no, this is us drafting together. And I like Avian Terrell just as, Just as well. Let's take him. That's fair.

[Marcus Moer]

All right, so Avion Terrell is the pick.

[Landon McCool]

We'll do consensus here. You know, there you go.

[Marcus Moer]

Avion Terrell is the pick at 20. We'll see what the Cowboys do here at pick 27. We get back. This episode is brought to you by FanDuel. College basketball is non stop. Big games, tight spreads, momentum swings every single night. From early tip offs to late night west coast shootouts. There's always action on the board. And now FanDuel is giving you a way to turn, turn that energy into an even potential bigger win. With a college basketball parlay profit boost. You can build any college hoops parlay that you want. Rivalry games, ranked matchups, whatever fits your read. And you can mix spreads, totals, player props to match how you see the slate playing out. Then you can apply the profit boost and instantly bump up the potential payout. Go safe, go bold. Ride with the team that you've been following all season. It's your parlay, your style. And now, with more upside behind it, head over to FanDuel.com to get started. That's FanDuel.com FanDuel play your game. This episode is brought to you by Indeed Workplace Chaos. Deadline stacking up, inbox overflowing and the one position that you still have to fill is sitting open when the pressure's on and you need the right hire. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs. And Indeed sponsored jobs help you reach the people who actually fit what you're looking for. Skills, experience, location. So you're not just hoping that the right candidate stumbles across your post. So if you're hiring, spend less time searching and more time interviewing candidates who check all of your boxes with Indeed Sponsored Jobs. Just go to indeed.com podcast right now and support our show by saying that you heard about Indeed on this podcast and listeners of this show will get a 75 sponsored job credit to help give your job the premium status that it deserves@ Indeed.com podcast that is Indeed.com podcast terms and conditions apply. Need to hire. This is a job for Indeed Sponsored Jobs. Welcome back to the Locked on Cowboys podcast. We are doing a mock draft here where we came to the consensus kind of I bullied Landon into drafting Avian terrell at pick 20. Now the Cowboys are on the clock here at pick 27. A lot of really good options. Keldrick Falk is available. Omar Cooper Jr. Is available. Kaden McDonald if you wanted to draft an edge rusher, TJ Parker is there. What stands out to you?

[Landon McCool]

I kind of think it's either for me it's probably Cade McDonald or T.J. parker. I, I, I think, you know, they both kind of represent an upgrade on what you've got. Parker I think would fit in great with the guys that you've got already and just be part of a rotation. He's an experienced guy so I think he could come in and and have a pretty quick learning curve to at least being a a part of a rotation. Kaden McDonald would be obviously extremely useful immediately just because of the what he can do in the run game and then I think he can continue to push the pocket as a pass rusher if you need him to. He can play a couple different spots. So to those are the guys that kind of stick out to me.

[Marcus Moer]

I like McDonald a lot, but I also understand Parker. You need more edge rushers. He could maybe be the eventual replacement for Rashan Gary. Honestly, they play a lot alike But I'm gonna let you make the call. Who you taking? We already got our corner, so we really need a defensive lineman here or edge rusher.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I think we, we gotta take Parker, you know, just because of the need there. I think they're probably touching tag players for me, so we'll give the nod to need there.

[Marcus Moer]

All right, we've got two more picks. We're going to make them really quick.

[Landon McCool]

We'll do it quick.

[Marcus Moer]

Yeah. 58. This is the Cowboys second round pick that they got from the 49ers. You've got your edge rusher, you've got your corner. Let's look at the linebacker market right now. Landon, top linebackers available. Josiah Trotter, Kyle Lewis, Anthony Hill from Texas, if you want to look at the safety market. Kamari Ramsey, Genesis Smith, if you want a safety that can really cover but can't really tackle. If you want an interior defensive lineman, Dominique orange, Daryl Jackson Jr. Who is a massive defensive tackle. Grayson Halton from Oklahoma is a good player. Dante Corleone, you want the Godfather to be a nose tackle here. I like him a lot as well. Who do you like?

[Landon McCool]

I think for me, let's go back to the linebackers because that was really some good, some good pickings there. I like Josiah Trotter, but I, I don't know that I like him more than Kyle Lewis or Anthony Hill Jr.

[Marcus Moer]

Anthony Jr. Is a. Probably a pretty good fit.

[Landon McCool]

Honestly, I think I. I would. That's what I was gonna say is I think you get a little bit of a bump here because I think he's a really good fit. I think Kyle Lewis would be too, but not necessarily as a linebacker. You could. I would think he played more of an overhang, but you kind of already have a couple of those guys, so. Yeah, give me Anthony Hill Jr all

[Marcus Moer]

right, there you go. One last pick at pick 92. We've got our linebacker with Anthony Hill. We've got our edge rusher with TJ Parker. We've got our corner with Avion Terrell. And with this last pick here, if you wanted to go back to like the defensive line, Rashawn Benny, who was really good at the Senior bowl, is available if you wanted to.

[Landon McCool]

Chris McLelan from. From Missouri.

[Marcus Moer]

So Key Wheatley is somebody that we talked about a couple weeks ago in this podcast available here at 92. Any other names stand out to you?

[Landon McCool]

I like Bud Clark, but it might be a little bit early at 92 to take him. I kind of almost think who's the. Who Was there. Look at the edges again. That felt like there was another edge that I liked that we. Oh, k. Ron Crawford. No, I don't know. I think yeah, we could. I mean, honestly, I like Bud Clark. I wouldn't have so much of a problem taking him here. I'm obviously an Auburn guy. I may take a flyer on Connor Lou, you know, because he needs kind of a red shirt year, but he was considered to be one of the best interior offensive linemen in the country before he got injured. So I, I think I like those guys. I mean, honestly, Markel, Bill, you know, like, I mean, you need. You probably gonna have a needed tackle at some point. You want a big guy, 345. He's a little bit. He's a big guy. So, you know, I, I like a lot of these choices. So this time I'm bullying. You didn't. To make the choice, we're gonna take

[Marcus Moer]

Zaki Wheatley, a safety that's a little overage but gives you some athleticism at the position. And there you go. We traded down in round one. We picked up a first round pick from the 40. Oh, sorry. Yeah. A second round pick next year from the 49ers. Avion Terrell, TJ Parker, Anthony Hill Jr. Zaki Wheatley. I like it. It's not my favorite mock, but I like it.

[Landon McCool]

Well, and here's the other thing too, is that you can get out of this draft and use the second, that second round pick that you picked up. If you need to go trade for somebody else, those 20, 27 picks are going to be very valuable. So they're going to be good trade fodder if you want to use it.

[Marcus Moer]

All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making lockdown Cowboys your first listen every single day. If you never miss an episode, the Everydayer club is built for you. Get locked on Cowboys ad free members only, discord access and so much more. Head over to lockedoncaboys.supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24. 7 national NBA YouTube channel. And on audio, make your second listen the Locked on NFL Draft podcast. Follow Landon on Twitter @McCool BCB. I'm @Marcus Underscore Moser and we'll see you right back here on Monday.

[Arby's Advertiser]

Not to brag or anything, But Arby's new $7.99 meet in three box is kind of a big deal. The other guys give you just one side we give you three sides, not to brag. You get a meaty sandwich, curly fries, Mott sticks, a sweet treat and a drink. All for just 7.99. It's more meal for your money. More meal for your money. More meal for your money. Where'd that come from?

[Marcus Moer]

Arby's.

[T-Mobile/US Cellular/Wells Fargo Advertiser]

We have the meats at participating Arby's

[Landon McCool]

for a limited time.

[Chevrolet Advertiser]

There's a reason Chevy trucks are known for their dependability. It's because they show up no matter the weather, push forward no matter the terrain and deliver. That's why Chevrolet has earned more dependability awards for trucks than any other brand in 2025, according to J.D. power, because in every Chevy truck, like every Chevy driver, dependability comes standard. Visit Chevy.com to learn more. Chevrolet received the highest total number of awards among all trucks in the J.D. power 2025 U.S. vehicle Dependability Study Awards based on 2022 models. Newer models may be shown. Visit J.D. power.com awards for more details. Chevrolet Together, let's drive.

[Progressive Advertiser]

Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game, shifting a little money here, a little there and hoping it all works out well? With the name your price tool from Progressive, you can be a better budgeter and potentially lower your insurance bill, too. You tell Progressive what you want to pay for car insurance, and they'll help find you options within your budget. Try it [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limited by state law not available in all states.