MOCK STRATEGY: Can The Dallas Cowboys Afford To IGNORE EDGE Need In Round 1?

Summary

---

Locked On Cowboys – Mock Draft Strategy: Can The Cowboys Afford To Ignore EDGE in Round 1?

Hosts: Marcus Mosher & Landon McCool

Date: March 19, 2026

---

Episode Overview

In this episode, Marcus and Landon walk listeners through a strategic mock draft simulation, considering whether the Dallas Cowboys can afford to pass on an EDGE rusher in Round 1 of the upcoming NFL Draft in favor of addressing other major needs: cornerback and linebacker. They break down the pros and cons of this approach, discuss available prospects, and evaluate the costs and consequences of trading up for pass rush help on Day 2.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Draft Strategy & Position Prioritization

• Main Question: Can the Cowboys fill cornerback and linebacker needs in Round 1 and still address EDGE effectively later?

• Marcus sets the stage:

  "We're going to look at trying to get a cornerback and a linebacker in the first round of the draft, and... see how a draft would play out if the Cowboys are able to find a corner at 12 or at 20 and then a linebacker, and then fill their edge rush need." (01:54)

• Landon notes the challenge:

  "It's going to be a challenge to fill all of them in the draft." (02:26)

• The hosts acknowledge: failing to prioritize EDGE could create a future roster hole, especially since premium pass rushers tend to go quickly.

---

2. Mock Draft Simulation: Who the Cowboys Take and Why

First Round (Picks 12 & 20): Cornerback and Linebacker

• Several corners like Jermad McCoy and Colton Hood are available, but Marcus pushes for Avion Terrell:

  "I'm a big fan of Avion Terrell and it seems like with the Cowboys bringing in to Kobe, Durant, Landon, maybe they're going to be open to more of these short arm cornerbacks." (03:04)

• Landon agrees Avion Terrell is a "good pick" for the scenario. (03:12)

• At pick 20, linebacker options are thin; the Cowboys select C.J. Allen:

  “We don't love C.J. Allen. We would prefer it to be Jacob Rodriguez. But... a lot of our listeners out there love Allen. So that'll be the pick.” (04:20)

  "Not going to be mad if C.J. Allen's the pick at 20, but obviously we all have our preferences..." – Landon (04:21)

Day Two: The EDGE Conundrum

• Cowboys don’t pick again until 92; EDGE talent quickly thins out.

• Marcus on EDGE market dynamics:

  “It feels like there's going to be a run on these edge rushers from picks like 20 to 40... it's going to be pretty picked over at that spot." (08:32)

• Notable EDGE prospects already gone:

  • TJ Parker
  • Cassius Howell
  • Zion Young
  • Our Mason Thomas
  • Gabe Yakis
  • Derek Moore
  • Malachi Lawrence

---

3. Trading Up: Is it Worth Paying the Price?

• The hosts consider what it would cost to move up in Round 3 for a viable EDGE prospect.

  "For the Cowboys to get up to pick 66, pick 112. 92, 112 and 150 would be what it cost you. So that is your third, your fourth and your fifth round pick." – Marcus (09:43)

• Landon hesitates:

  "I don't love it, but... it's what the price is." (09:43)

• Alternative: Use a future 3rd rounder instead of this year’s 4th.

---

4. EDGE Prospects Still on the Board

• Romello Height (Texas Tech):
  Highly productive, but he's 25 years old (potential red flag). Win rate is elite:

  "...22% win rate pass rush grade is really good." – Marcus (10:32)

  "In that case, to me, I think Height makes a lot of sense..." – Landon (12:29)

• Joshua Joseph:
  Long arms, 3-4 OLB potential.

  "Six three, 242 with 34 and a half inch arms. That's pretty long for an edge rusher." – Marcus (12:38) "I haven't watched a ton of Joshua Josephs... but I love those numbers." – Landon (13:01)

• Kieran Crawford:
  Athletic, but inconsistent.

  "He definitely has the athleticism that you're looking for." – Landon (11:07)

• Other Names Briefly Mentioned:

  • LT Overton (inside-outside versatility)
  • Jason Barham
  • Derek Moore
  • Anthony Lucas
  • Mikhail Kamara

---

5. Lesson Learned: Draft Process Takeaways

• Marcus stresses a key lesson:

  "I always end up liking the linebackers in this range more than I like the edge rushers... I think you can get a better linebacker in round three than you can get an edge rusher, which is maybe why you shouldn't draft a linebacker in round one. Unless it’s Sonny Styles." (13:14)

• Landon suggests the solution is to flip the script in a future mock:

  "...maybe learned a little bit of a lesson as to which one you should be targeting and which one you should be waiting on." (13:57)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the state of the EDGE board:

  "It almost feels like what we learned here is that if you're gonna do this trade, maybe you do do it... find a way to have to move into the second round." – Landon (09:00)

• On the price of getting back into the 60s for an EDGE:

  "Just be clear, I don’t love that trade. But we're for the purpose of what we're trying to do." – Landon (10:27)

• Big-picture draft wisdom:

  "...you're going to like the draft a lot better if you wait. And even if you're aggressive... I think that's going to be the best way for the Cowboys to get value." – Marcus (14:17)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:54 — Introduction to the mock draft scenario
• 03:04 — Debating first-round CB targets (Avion Terrell)
• 04:20 — Selecting C.J. Allen at linebacker; discussion of linebacker choices
• 08:32 — Why EDGE gets picked over quickly in this draft; EDGE run between picks 20-40
• 09:43 — The cost of trading up for an EDGE
• 10:32-13:01 — Analysis of specific EDGE prospects (Romello Height, Joseph, Crawford)
• 13:14-14:17 — Reflection: Is linebacker the right choice in Round 1? Is EDGE worth paying for later?
• 14:17 — Co-hosts outline the lesson and plans for future mock draft variations

---

Summary & Recommendations

• The Cowboys’ three biggest needs—cornerback, linebacker, and EDGE—will be tough to fill to satisfaction with the draft capital on hand.
• This mock draft scenario suggests that waiting until Day 2 for EDGE is risky in terms of player quality, often forcing Dallas to overpay in a trade up or settle for less impactful talent.
• Drafting an EDGE early (possibly at pick 20 instead of a linebacker) may yield better long-term roster construction, as linebacker talent is likely to linger into the third round.
• The hosts conclude that value and roster balancing should outweigh “need filling” in Round 1, and the simulation's outcome will inform their next mock draft strategy session.

---

For listeners: If you want to maximize draft value while adequately addressing need, prioritize premium positions like EDGE earlier and look for linebackers in the “sweet spot” of Day 2/early Day 3. The Cowboys’ approach in 2026 will likely depend on which of these pivots they’re willing to make.

---

Transcript

[Chevy Commercial Voice]

Foreign.

[Arby's Commercial Voice]

Your team every day.

[Chevy Commercial Voice]

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.

[Marcus Mosher]

power.

[Chevy Commercial Voice]

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.

[AT&T Business Commercial Voice]

Not every sale happens at the register before AT&T business Wireless, checking out customers on our mobile POS systems took too long. Basically a staring contest where everyone loses. It's crazy what people will say during an awkward silence. Now transactions are done before the silence takes hold. That means I can focus on the task at hand and make an extra sale or two. Sometimes I do miss the bonding time.

[Landon McCool]

Sometimes AT&T business Wireless Connecting changes everything

[Marcus Mosher]

we'll tell you how the Dallas Cowboys can execute the perfect mock draft next. You are Locked On Cowboys, your daily Dallas Cowboys podcast, part of the Locked On Podcast network your team every day. Welcome back. I am your host, Marcus Mosher. He is Landon McCool, and on today's show, it's another mock draft Thursday. We're taking a look at the best Round one pairing that the Cowboys could potentially make and how they can find value on day two. So, Landon, without further ado, let's get into the mock.

[Landon McCool]

Let's do it.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so here we go. Here's the goal. Here's what we're going to try to accomplish. We're going to look at trying to get a cornerback and a linebacker in the first round of the draft, and it seems like that's where the Cowboys are leaning. We might reach a little bit on these first two picks, but the goal of this exercise is to see how a draft would play out. If the Cowboys are able to find a corner at 12 or at 20 and then a linebacker and then how can they fill their edge rush need? Because, Lane, those are really their three biggest needs. And it's going to be a challenge to fill all of them in the draft.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, we don't know which ones they're going to fill in the first round, but we kind of have to see what the contingency plans are for each one. So we'll probably end up doing this similar exercise except with a different set of these positions at a later date.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so just to run through the mock really quickly, Mendoza Reese Styles Bailey. Caleb Downs to the Giants. Jeremiah Love, Bane Monsour Delane to the Saints. Stays right there in New Orleans. Dylan Thieman to the Chiefs. Vega, the offensive lineman to the Bengals at 10. Carnell Tate goes to the Dolphins at 12. That leaves us a couple corners, including Jermad McCoy. But I'm a big fan of Avion Terrell and it seems like with the Cowboys bringing in to Kobe, Durant, Landon, maybe they're going to be open to more of these short arm cornerbacks.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I agree. I think Avion Terrell is a good pick here, especially for this exercise. I will just point out that we're seeing, or at least on the P simulator, it feels like we are seeing a lot of Dylan Thieman in the top 10. Have you noticed that recently?

[Marcus Mosher]

I have, and I'm not shocked. Partly that's because I believe PFF has Thieman as the 11th overall player, but I also could see him being like, in this case, he goes to Kansas City. Like, that's like the perfect Steve Spagnola, like defensive back. They can play everywhere. So I get it.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, absolutely. It's just interesting. We'll have to watch him on the consensus board, see if he becomes a riser.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so we're gonna go ahead and take Avian Terrell again, swap that out, whatever name you see fit. Colton Hood, Jermaine McCoy, Monsor Delane. And then at pick 20 is where we're thinking about grabbing a linebacker. The top players available outside of CJ Allen include Emmanuel McNeil, Warren Cassius Howe, Kaden McDonald, TJ Parker. Let's go ahead with a theme, Landon, that they're going to draft a linebacker early. We don't love C.J. allen. We would prefer it to be Jacob Rodriguez. But I know there are a lot of our listeners out there that love Alan. So that'll be the pick.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. Not going to be mad if CJ Allen's a pick at 20, but obviously we all have our preferences here, so CJ Allen is certainly a fine pick for me at 20. So let's do it.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, so here's the plan here. What we're going to do is we're going to let this draft roll a bit. A little bit. The Cowboys don't pick until 92, but edge rusher is a need for the Cowboys. They've got to add some more juice to that room. So what we're going to do is we're going to stop this mock drop simulator here right around 6570 which would be the the the very start of round three. Just to kind of see who is available and what it would cost to go up and get an edge rusher. We'll tell you what the Cowboys should do next. 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 that energy into an even bigger potential 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 make 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 payout. It's so much fun. So head over to FanDuel.com to get started. That is FanDuel.com FanDuel play your game this episode is brought to you by Robinhood. What if sports were traded like markets? Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robinhood Prediction Markets. It's not you against the house, it's you participating in a live market. You can buy or sell your positions live all game long. Use your sports knowledge in the moments that matter. Robinhood Prediction Markets changes the game. It's people moving the action so when the momentum shifts, you can move with it. I've always known the game, but I never had a dynamic way to apply that knowledge. Now I can actually take part live in a market powered by the people. You're no longer just a spectator. Play by play, you decide. Trade every play with Robin Hood. Now available across the U.S. download the Robin Hood app now to begin. Futures and cleared swap tradings involve significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. Event contracts are offered by Robinhood Derivatives llc, a registered future commission merchant and swap firm. This episode is brought to you by 5 Hour Energy welcome to the 5 Hour Energy flavor draft. With 18 different flavors to choose from including new options like Confetti, Craze, Fruity Rainbow or cotton Candy. There's something for everyone. The board is set, the flavors are ready and I've got my number one pick for the five Hour Energy Flavor Draft. It's cherry. It's absolutely incredible. It's got a bold cherry candy like flavor. It's sweet with a little bit of A tart edge. But my favorite part, it's got this tangy finish that you're absolutely going to love. Five Hour Energy shots give you a boost with zero sugar, and they've got so many cool flavors coming up that you've got to go check them all out. Find your new favorite flavor of five hour energy shots available online at 5hourenergy.com or on Amazon. Welcome back to the Laton Cowboys podcast. We'd like to thank you for making us your first listen every single day. All right, we are in the middle of our mock draft. The Cowboys have taken Avion Terrell, and then they've taken C.J. allen. So you got your corner, you got your linebacker. On day two of the draft. Land and edge rusher is really the big need here. Is there someone or, like, a name that you would like to see the Cowboys target on day two?

[Landon McCool]

Man, honestly, I, I don't know. Like, seriously, I, I, at the way this draft has played out with the, at this range, it's, it's such a wide range of guys. I, I don't have a name specifically off the top of my head. I, I don't think. I hate to. That's. I know that's not good radio, but

[Marcus Mosher]

it's hard because it feels like there's going to be a run on these edge rushers from picks like 20 to 40, and that's when you're going to see guys like TJ Parker, Cassius Howell, Zion Young, our Mason Thomas, Gabe Yakis, Derek Moore, Malachi Lawrence. And it's going to be pretty picked over at that spot.

[Landon McCool]

I was gonna say, like, all those guys are gone at this point. Right. Like, we need to look and see, but it would, it would feel like, yeah, see Malachi, like, there's Malachi Lawrence

[Marcus Mosher]

goes to the Texans, which. That's not fair.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah. I mean, honestly, Honestly, it almost feels like what we, we learned here is that if you're gonna do this trade, maybe you do do it. Find a way to have to move into the second round. Right? Like, because I think by the time. Let's look and see who's available. Real quick. Let's see who's available.

[Marcus Mosher]

So let me see who's available. This is the only thing I don't like about the. I think you've got to make a trade before you can see who's available.

[Landon McCool]

Oh, well, let's do the trade. Let's, let's, let's, let's do the trade. Let's see who's available. Part of the Exercise. We've decided.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah, there you go. Pick 66 again. This is really fun. So for the Cowboys to get up to pick 66, pick 112. 92, 112 and 150 would be what it cost you. So that is your third, your fourth and your fifth round pick.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I don't love it, but I mean it's, it's what the price is. Maybe you guess you could you offer a round three and see what maybe of next year and see what the.

[Marcus Mosher]

Instead of take the. If you take your fourth off and you give them a next year round three, they would do it.

[Landon McCool]

What if you took that to 112 instead of 92?

[Marcus Mosher]

So you're giving up at 2112 plus round three? Yeah, not gonna do it. So the way that, the way that you would be able to do this trade would be pick 92, your next year third and you might be able to get back pick 183 from Tennessee. That's. I think that's like a six round pick.

[Landon McCool]

All right, let's do it.

[Marcus Mosher]

All right, let's do it. So let's offer the trade. Boom.

[Landon McCool]

I mean, I don't love. Just be clear, I don't love that trade. But we're for the purpose of what we're trying to do.

[Marcus Mosher]

So if you're dead set on a defensive end, there are a couple available who are interesting. Oh, Joshua Joseph, who I know a lot of people like. Romello Height is fascinating because he was so productive at Texas Tech last year, but he's a 25 year old ed Rush edge rusher. And if you didn't listen to our earlier show today, go listen to our thoughts on 25 year old Ed Rushers. But a 22% win rate pass rush grade is really good. Kieran Crawford is somebody I know that you like a little bit. So there are some names available.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, honestly. And I think even though LT Overton is a different type of player, I think he would be an interesting look as well because. And I actually in some of these mock drafts that I've been doing, I take edges early and I end up taking Overton as well because I think he's an interesting guy who could be kind of an inside outside guy a little bit he could play that backside for. So I think he's a guy that like you should consider. But maybe not in this situation where you're trying to get your, your first edge right now, you're trying to get juice. So in that case, to me, I think height makes a Lot of sense like you said. Kieran Crawford. You know, I, obviously I'm an Auburn guy. He was really up and down. Like it's, it's a consistency thing with him. A lot of times I, I don't mind him at all. He definitely has the athleticism that you're looking for. So let's scroll down a little bit to see who else is underneath him.

[Marcus Mosher]

Jason Barham is somebody that's been getting a lot of love on Twitter the last couple days.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I mean I, I, I, I, I like his running mate a little bit more obviously.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

Derek Moore. But I, I, he's, he seems okay. I haven't watched a ton of Anthony Lucas, but Mikhail Camera is a guy that I think he's more of. Yeah. Kamara, he's more of a, of a longer guy, if I'm not mistaken.

[Marcus Mosher]

Yeah.

[Landon McCool]

So I, I think to me it's, it's height or it's, it's, it's Crawford. I probably would go with height, to be honest.

[Marcus Mosher]

I will say there are a lot of people that really like Joshua Joseph who believe he's going to be a, he's going to be more of a 3, 4 outside linebacker in the NFL. I, I believe it's Lynn's yearline that likes him quite a bit. I got his measurements right here for you. Six three, 242 with 34 and a half inch arms. That's pretty long for an edge rusher.

[Landon McCool]

Yeah, I, I just have, I haven't watched a ton of Joshua Joseph so I, I'm not sure as, as much on him. But I, I mean again, like a lot of those guys are, I've got good rankings on. I love those numbers. I just haven't watched very much.

[Marcus Mosher]

Well, so really quickly before we go, one of the things that's so interesting when you do these mock draft simulators is, and again, PFF is not the end all be all, but I always end up liking the linebackers in this range more than I like the edge rushers. Then that shouldn't be surprising, right? Edge rushers should be Dr. Higher than linebackers in this simulation. Kyle Lewis from Pittsburgh who we talked about earlier this week is available. Anthony Hill, who I'm lower on than most, would be a home run pick here at 66. Now I know PFF is lower on him. I think you can get a better linebacker in round three, that you can get an edge rusher, which is maybe why you shouldn't draft a linebacker in round one. Unless it's Sunny Styles.

[Landon McCool]

Well, I guess what? All that means, Marcus, is that we're going to need to do this same exercise in the future, except we'll have to target linebacker with our third pick instead of, instead of edge rushing. I think for now let's get Romella height and be happy with, with the, with the results. But maybe learned a little bit of a lesson as to which one you should be targeting and which one you should be waiting on.

[Marcus Mosher]

And that's, that's kind of the whole point is I think you can get a quality linebacker in round one, whether that is C.J. allen, whether, whether that's my guy, Jacob Rodriguez. But I almost promise you you're going to like the draft a lot better if you wait. And even if you're aggressive like you don't need to trade up to pick 66, maybe you trade up to 75 and Kyle Lewis is there or somebody of similar ilk. I think that's going to be the best way for the Cowboys to get value. All right, that is it for today's show. We'd like to thank you for making Locked on Cowboys your first listen every single day. If you never miss an episode, the everyday or club is built for you. Get locked on Cowboys ad free members only, discord access and so much more. Head over to lockdown cowboys.supercast.com to join the club. And for those of you on video, we can send you the first ever 24.7national NBA YouTube channel and on audio, make your second listen the locked on NFL Draft podcast. Follow Lanen on Twitter @McCool BCB. I'm @Marcus Underscore Moser and we'll see you right back here tomorrow. USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With usaa, you can bundle your auto and home and and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a'@usaa.com bundle restrictions apply.

[Arby's Commercial Voice]

Not to brag or anything, But Arby's new $7.99 meat and 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 my meal for your money. More meal for your money. More meal for your money. Where'd that come from?

[Marcus Mosher]

Arby's. We have the meats at participating Arby's

[Landon McCool]

for a limited time.

[Chevy Commercial Voice]

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.