Dallas, TX
Dallas Cowboys ‘Dream Scenario’ Misses Boat on Team’s Biggest NFL Draft Need
With two picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to address their glaring holes on defense. Unfortunately for them, there are many holes that need to be addressed.
One of those is the cornerback position, which is where SI’s Gilberto Manzano turns his attention when identifying the team’s “dream scenario” during the draft. Manzano paints this scenario as the Cowboys being able to draft LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 12, while also adding Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy at No. 20.
Manzano accurately claims the Cowboys won’t be able to land an EDGE such as David Bailey without trading up, so his idea is to turn the secondary into a strength.
“Instead of losing picks, team owner and GM Jerry Jones should focus on turning the secondary into a strength,” Manzano wrote.
There’s no denying such a haul would completely revamp the secondary in Dallas for years to come. The problem is that it ignores a greater need, which is a game-changer on the front seven.
Cowboys have to get a starting LB or EDGE in NFL draft
Ideally, Dallas would walk away from Round 1 with a new starter on the edge, but there’s no guarantee that will happen. Their best bet could be if Rueben Bain Jr. falls to them at No. 12, but that’s not guaranteed even with the recent news about his part in a fatal car accident.
If they’re unable to land Bain, or another starting-caliber EDGE, then Dallas needs a linebacker who can make plays all over the field. While Ohio State’s Arvell Reese seems to be out of their range, there’s still a glimmer of hope that his teammate, Sonny Styles, could be an option. Although, that might only happen via trade up as well.
Whatever they do, however, the Cowboys must find someone who can help closer to the line of scrimmage, even if the Delane-McCoy combo would be formidable.
Cowboys haven’t gone back-to-back cornerback since 2017
Dallas has no issues doubling up on cornerbacks when needed. They did so in 2021 when they took Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright in consecutive rounds (although they picked Osa Odighizuwa and Chauncey Golston in between the two). They also selected Trevon Diggs and Reggie Robinson II in 2021.
To find the last time they went back-to-back on corners, however, you have to look to the 2017 class. After taking Taco Charlton in Round 1, the Cowboys selected Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis with their next two selections.
Delane and McCoy would give them a superior pairing, but it comes at great risk since the front seven would still be suspect.
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For a moment, it looked like FC Dallas was on its way to another statement win at home tonight.
Petar Musa scored two first half goals, to extend his Golden Boot leading tally to nine goals. But after Dallas grabbed control, the Galaxy found a way back before halftime with goals from Lucas Sanabria and Joseph Paintsil.
The second half brought more chances and more frustration for Dallas, which finished the night with 13 shots to LA’s nine. In the end, the point stretched Dallas’ unbeaten run to five games, though just like last week, it felt like another match where Dallas left points on the table.
Key Moments
7’ – GOAL! After a poor pass back by a LA defender, Petar Musa was free to go one-on-one with the LA goalkeeper. After a touch to get ahead of a defender, Musa slotted home his eighth goal of the season from outside the penalty box.
21’ – Offside! Joaquin Valiente sent a floating ball over the Galaxy defense, where Musa was able to get behind the defense and make an easy play for what appeared to be his second goal of the night. The play was called offside despite a fairly lengthy review period.
38’ – GOAL! This one counts! Musa gets his second of the night off a great ball from Chris Cappis. Logan Farrington picked off the ball in the midfield. He then played Cappis wide to the left of the penalty area. Cappis immediately played a ball back across the goal for Musa to slide in and finish for his ninth of the season.
43’ – Goal LA. Lucas Sanabria got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He took a couple of touches to get outside the penalty box before firing a shot that beat Michael Collodi at the near post.
45+4’ – Goal LA. Gabriel Pec got the ball near the top of the penalty area. He pulled the ball back a bit, which caught a pair of Dallas defenders. This allowed Joseph Painstil to get free behind the Dallas defense as Pec played him through inside the penalty area. Pec immediately smashed home a shot above Collodi to tie the game.
75’ – Another offside goal. This time on a corner kick for Dallas, after a scrum in the penalty box, Kaick hammered home what looked to be the go-ahead goal. But after a few seconds the flag was raised due to a deflection on Osaze Urhoghide, who was in an offside position.
Instant Reaction
Yeah, this is another disappointing result for this team. In a real way, it felt like the first half against Houston from last month. Dallas grabbed the lead, looked in control, but some defensive miscues opened the game up for the visitors to climb back.
With a double-game week coming up, this will certainly be another game where Dallas will wonder ‘what if’ more than anything else…especially when you factor in the two goals called off for offside.
About the Subs
Eric Quill went to his bench for the first time in the 66th minute, as he brought on Santiago Moreno for Logan Farrington. Quill went to his bench again 81st minute with Ran Binyamin and Nolan Norris coming on for Sebastien Ibeagha and Deedson. The final sub came during stoppage time with Herman Johansson and Joaquin Valiente coming off for Sam Sarver and rookie Nick Simmonds, who made his MLS debut.
Man of the Match
No question about it tonight, it has to be Musa.
Where does this fit into the season
As of this writing, the draw puts Dallas into a three-way tie for 5th place with Real Salt Lake and Seattle. Both are in action right now and look firmly in control of their games. I’d expect Dallas to be in 7th place by the end of the night.
What’s next for FC Dallas
Dallas wraps up a three-game homestand next Wednesday night as they host Minnesota United.
Dallas, TX
Akheem Mesidor selected by Cowboys by Blogging The Boys in SB Nation’s community mock draft
Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Pass rush has been an issue since the Micah Parsons trade. The Rashan Gary trade helped, but Dallas still needs an injection of talent. Akheem Mesidor fits here because his body size allows for some versatility inside and out, something DC Christian Parker utilizes. Mesidor is also a high-motor player with a deep bag of pass rush moves.
His last season at Miami was full of disruption in the offensive backfield and he shows an all-around game, not just a bend-around-the-edge pass rusher. Yes, he’s a little older than you’d like in a rookie (25), but his motor, pass rush toolbox, and ability to play the run matches up with a need and makes him a quality pick at number 20.
The City of Dallas Office of Community Police Oversight is hosting a Public Safety Response Symposium to connect residents with public safety leaders. Here’s how to participate on May 9.
The Dallas Police Department posted to social media about the event on Friday afternoon. The post states, “Join public safety leaders for an inside look at how emergency and non-emergency calls are handled and how resources are deployed across Dallas.”
The symposium will be held at the Briscoe Carpenter Livestock Center, 1403 Washington St., fro 11 a.m.-noon on May 9. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. Light breakfast and refreshments will be provided.
Topics for the symposium include:
- How 911 calls are handled and dispatched
- How DPD uses specialized units and technology to improve response times
- When to use 311 for non-emergency services
- How crisis and behavioral health teams collaborate through alternative response strategies
There will also be a community Q&A forum where residents can engage directly with public safety leaders. Moderation will be provided.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel C. Comeaux will offer the opening remarks. Featured speakers include 911 Communications Center Assistant Director Robert Uribe; Major of Police Anthony Greer; 311 Senior Outreach Specialist Stephen Walker; and Emergency Management & Crisis Response Director Kevin Oden.
When it comes to parking: Enter through Gate 2 and drive straight to the Pan Am Gate, and continue to the Briscoe Center (located on the left).
RSVP for the Public Safety Response Symposium here.
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