Mendoza is a million percent overrated. He'd be a back end of the first type of QB in most normal drafts. He possesses no special skills, is quirky, and his ceiling is likely a slightly above average NFL QB. Not really a guy I want to take 1.1.
********* Official Cowboys Off-Season Thread 2026 *********
49,868 Views |
619 Replies |
Last: 7 hrs ago by Big_Time_Timmy_Jim
Dude, I would LOVE to see the Raiders pivot at the last second without telling anyone. Comish walks to the podium, Raiders take Arvell Reese, the Jets are on the clock!
Jet's would be freaking out trying to figure out why none of Mendoza's teammates went to his birthday party!!!
When it's draft time, I'm here for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chaos!
Jet's would be freaking out trying to figure out why none of Mendoza's teammates went to his birthday party!!!
When it's draft time, I'm here for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chaos!
jr15aggie said:
Dude, I would LOVE to see the Raiders pivot at the last second without telling anyone. Comish walks to the podium, Raiders take Arvell Reese, the Jets are on the clock!
Jet's would be freaking out trying to figure out why none of Mendoza's teammates went to his birthday party!!!
When it's draft time, I'm here for the Dallas Cowboys and the Chaos!
I am pretty sure the Jets would poop on the floor of their draft room. Idk that they could be more excited in the moment but then panic would set in as they realize they blew up their entire 3 year plan in a flash
McShay's latest:
6. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
TRADE: The Cowboys trade no. 12, no. 92, and a 2027 second-rounder to the Browns for no. 6.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker covets athleticism and intelligence at linebacker for his scheme, and Styles checks both boxes. A former safety, Styles measured in at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds (the biggest LB in the class) and still ran the fastest 40 (4.46 seconds, tied with Reese) and the fastest 10-yard split (1.56 seconds, tied with Namdi Obiazor) among LBs while also posting the top broad jump (11 feet, 2 inches) and setting a record for players 6-foot-4 or taller with a 43.5-inch vertical since 2003.
Beyond the off-the-charts testing, Styles is widely regarded as one of the smartest players in the draft. One executive told me that he'll run a company when his football days are over. He should step in and improve the football IQ of this defense and help clean up the play at the second and third levels.
20. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Dallas addressed its linebacker need earlier in this exercise, so now the focus shifts to the secondary. The Cowboys gave up 35 passing touchdowns last seasonsecond most in the NFL behind only the Jets (36)so getting help on the back end is a priority.
There's been plenty of buzz linking the Cowboys to safeties such as Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman, so it wouldn't be surprising if they picked Thieneman if he's available. That said, you could make a strong argument that cornerback is the bigger need, and McCoy offers outstanding value here. He's a top-10 talent who slides to no. 20 largely due to concerns about his knee after he tore his ACL, PCL, and MCL in January 2025. He looked excellent at Tennessee's pro dayrunning in the 4.3s and moving well in position drillsbut medical evaluations remain mixed.
Everyone here would be estatic with this, I think..
6. Dallas Cowboys: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
TRADE: The Cowboys trade no. 12, no. 92, and a 2027 second-rounder to the Browns for no. 6.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker covets athleticism and intelligence at linebacker for his scheme, and Styles checks both boxes. A former safety, Styles measured in at 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds (the biggest LB in the class) and still ran the fastest 40 (4.46 seconds, tied with Reese) and the fastest 10-yard split (1.56 seconds, tied with Namdi Obiazor) among LBs while also posting the top broad jump (11 feet, 2 inches) and setting a record for players 6-foot-4 or taller with a 43.5-inch vertical since 2003.
Beyond the off-the-charts testing, Styles is widely regarded as one of the smartest players in the draft. One executive told me that he'll run a company when his football days are over. He should step in and improve the football IQ of this defense and help clean up the play at the second and third levels.
20. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
Dallas addressed its linebacker need earlier in this exercise, so now the focus shifts to the secondary. The Cowboys gave up 35 passing touchdowns last seasonsecond most in the NFL behind only the Jets (36)so getting help on the back end is a priority.
There's been plenty of buzz linking the Cowboys to safeties such as Caleb Downs and Dillon Thieneman, so it wouldn't be surprising if they picked Thieneman if he's available. That said, you could make a strong argument that cornerback is the bigger need, and McCoy offers outstanding value here. He's a top-10 talent who slides to no. 20 largely due to concerns about his knee after he tore his ACL, PCL, and MCL in January 2025. He looked excellent at Tennessee's pro dayrunning in the 4.3s and moving well in position drillsbut medical evaluations remain mixed.
Everyone here would be estatic with this, I think..
Yes, this would be a great haul! I think you could plug in Colton Hood at #20 as well and be just as happy, but McCoy has All-Pro upside.
I still prefer pick swapping with Cleveland instead of giving up 92 and '27 2nd rounder, but I'm more than OK with moving up to get our guy!
Sounds like if the Cowboys are moving up to #6 it's for Styles or Bailey. If we are moving up to #9 it's for Downs or Delane (but I wouldn't hate them for taking Downs at 6). I don't see the Cowboys moving inside the top 5 and I don't see them moving up for any other player. I think they would take Bain at 12, but they aren't moving for him.
I still prefer pick swapping with Cleveland instead of giving up 92 and '27 2nd rounder, but I'm more than OK with moving up to get our guy!
Sounds like if the Cowboys are moving up to #6 it's for Styles or Bailey. If we are moving up to #9 it's for Downs or Delane (but I wouldn't hate them for taking Downs at 6). I don't see the Cowboys moving inside the top 5 and I don't see them moving up for any other player. I think they would take Bain at 12, but they aren't moving for him.
Kiper's final mock is out. Has the Cowboys doing the Cleveland trade up for 12 and 20 for 6 and 39. We take Sonny Styles (the Giants took Downs) at 6 and Clemson DE TJ Parker. I think we would take one of the CBs in that scenario. They brought in a lot of corners in on 30 visits.
Honestly that Cleveland trade just makes way too much sense for both teams.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48478995/2026-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-two-rounds-64-picks-final-predictions
Honestly that Cleveland trade just makes way too much sense for both teams.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48478995/2026-nfl-mock-draft-mel-kiper-two-rounds-64-picks-final-predictions
Woods Ag said:
Beyond the off-the-charts testing, Styles is widely regarded as one of the smartest players in the draft.
You hear the same thing about Downs. I think their rare combination of athleticism and brains is why the talk is ramping up that Dallas covets both players and why Dallas is looking to move up.
If I had to place a bet right now, one of these guys will be a Cowboy.
jr15aggie said:Woods Ag said:
Beyond the off-the-charts testing, Styles is widely regarded as one of the smartest players in the draft.
You hear the same thing about Downs. I think their rare combination of athleticism and brains is why the talk is ramping up that Dallas covets both players and why Dallas is looking to move up.
If I had to place a bet right now, one of these guys will be a Cowboy.
McShay had a guy on that does cognitive tests on all of the people in the draft and he spoke about a few in this draft. Styles was one. I think he said something like the report he's giving teams is this is a guy that you don't have to spend time on the defensive install. Tell him once, he's got it, and you can move on with other things. Sounds like the green dot guy we need in the middle - I just don't hold my breathe that we have any chance at him until it happens.
Vince Blake said:
Honestly that Cleveland trade just makes way too much sense for both teams.
It really does make sense for both teams IF Cleveland's first order of business is to secure a LT. No reason for them to take that guy at 6... get your guy at 12 and transform your #39 pick into another 1st rounder. Huge win for them.
Obviously, that logic goes away if their only concern is BPA at #6. But current talk suggests they want/need OT and it won't be there for them at #24... gotta get that done with their 1st pick.
They could also make a similar deal with KC... but I don't get the sense that KC is looking to move up.
Would You Rather (Based off 2 mock drafts with Cleveland Trades):
Mock 1:
#6 Styles (LB)
#39 Colton Hood (CB - Unlikely, but Terrell & Johnson went before him in this mock)
#92 Kamari Ramsey (S)
Mock 2:
#6 Downs (S)
#39 Jacob Rodriguez (LB)
#92 Harold Perkins (OLB)
I would be thrilled with either. Think I prefer Mock 1, even if you substituted Hood for a different CB or Edge Rusher.
Mock 1:
#6 Styles (LB)
#39 Colton Hood (CB - Unlikely, but Terrell & Johnson went before him in this mock)
#92 Kamari Ramsey (S)
Mock 2:
#6 Downs (S)
#39 Jacob Rodriguez (LB)
#92 Harold Perkins (OLB)
I would be thrilled with either. Think I prefer Mock 1, even if you substituted Hood for a different CB or Edge Rusher.
thrilled with either
I don't hate what we did at S/CB this offseason but Downs is special and we need long-term help everywhere. Styles is special. Is Perkins a reach at 92? Everything I've seen has him much later.
don't leverage the farm, but moving up makes more sense now than ever. Don't sit on your hands.
All hell breaks loose if Fernando doesn't go #1
I don't hate what we did at S/CB this offseason but Downs is special and we need long-term help everywhere. Styles is special. Is Perkins a reach at 92? Everything I've seen has him much later.
don't leverage the farm, but moving up makes more sense now than ever. Don't sit on your hands.
All hell breaks loose if Fernando doesn't go #1
Yeah, Perkins might be a bit of a reach at 92. In that mock, he was the last guy on the board that brings some juice off the edge.
Cowboys have met with him more than once... ideally you take him at 112, but not surprised at all if we end up taking him in the 3rd.
Cowboys have met with him more than once... ideally you take him at 112, but not surprised at all if we end up taking him in the 3rd.
Heard that the Jets cancelled their visit with David Bailey yesterday. That's really interesting because despite a lot of recent mocks sending Bailey to the Jets, the Jets insiders have been pretty firm that Reese is the pick.
Doesn't really effect Dallas IMO, but 1 week away from the draft and it's fun when some of the talk start to become reality.
The talk regarding the other NY team is that they are zeroing in on a player Dallas covets. Some say it's Styles others say it's Downs. Not sure, but it's one of them and probably the reason why multiple high profile draft guys have Dallas trading with Cleveland. If NY takes one of our guys, it's time to move up and make sure we get the other.
Doesn't really effect Dallas IMO, but 1 week away from the draft and it's fun when some of the talk start to become reality.
The talk regarding the other NY team is that they are zeroing in on a player Dallas covets. Some say it's Styles others say it's Downs. Not sure, but it's one of them and probably the reason why multiple high profile draft guys have Dallas trading with Cleveland. If NY takes one of our guys, it's time to move up and make sure we get the other.
I'm no expert, but put me in the "not that impressed with Styles" camp. He's definitely a freak athlete, but he plays on the softer side. Watching his OSU tape, he plays like a safety trapped in a LB body.
Maybe that can work at the highest level? My only concern is that the pendulum seems to have swung back towards a more physical brand of football.
Maybe that can work at the highest level? My only concern is that the pendulum seems to have swung back towards a more physical brand of football.
Maybe you already knew this, but he was a converted safety. And you also aren't the only guy that has watched Styles highlights and wondered "where's the Fred Warner type highlights".
I'm very wishy/washy between Styles and Downs right now. One day I prefer Styles the next day Downs. But if you watch the tape as a casual evaluator, Downs is easily the more active, explosive, flashy player.
I think my love for Styles is due to our massive need at LB... I'd love to have him. But I think Downs is a better overall prospect and he erases plays all over the field. I think CP can make Pro Bowlers out of either player... but Downs could be a generational player.
I'm very wishy/washy between Styles and Downs right now. One day I prefer Styles the next day Downs. But if you watch the tape as a casual evaluator, Downs is easily the more active, explosive, flashy player.
I think my love for Styles is due to our massive need at LB... I'd love to have him. But I think Downs is a better overall prospect and he erases plays all over the field. I think CP can make Pro Bowlers out of either player... but Downs could be a generational player.
I think my IDEAL situation would be Downs being available at 12, trading 20 back 5-10 spots and picking up another 3rd or a late 2nd, then addressing LB with one of Rodriguez, Allen, or Hill and an Edge or CB in there as well. I get the idea of getting Styles at 6 if we trade up, but there's not a comparable safety to Downs there later on and I think a LB out of those other 3 isn't a big drop off.
I don't think there's chance we stay at 12. It's just shaping up too much to be no man's land. I think we try to move up and get Reese or styles…and if we can't, we move back and try to add another pick, preferably 2nd round. I'm nervous either way. Just painful to look back and see us win those few games that we could've easily lost (in a good way) and not be in this dreaded 10-12 range
zgolfz85 said:
I don't think there's chance we stay at 12. It's just shaping up too much to be no man's land. I think we try to move up and get Reese or styles…and if we can't, we move back and try to add another pick, preferably 2nd round. I'm nervous either way. Just painful to look back and see us win those few games that we could've easily lost (in a good way) and not be in this dreaded 10-12 range
I 100% agree. I do not think Dallas will pick at 12 next Thursday. Pick 12 is going to be a prime spot for OT & WRs... we will have options to move with teams looking to move out of the top 10 or teams looking to come up from the teens/20's.
As we get closer to the draft and the picture gets clearer, the silver lining for pick 12 is that we know what we have to do. If our #1 goal is to get Styles or Downs, you move up and take them. If we had pick 7 or 8 instead, we'd probably take our chances and wait... and we'd probably lose the bet when Cleveland trades back with another team and we watch Styles and Downs go 5 & 6.
jr15aggie said:zgolfz85 said:
I don't think there's chance we stay at 12. It's just shaping up too much to be no man's land. I think we try to move up and get Reese or styles…and if we can't, we move back and try to add another pick, preferably 2nd round. I'm nervous either way. Just painful to look back and see us win those few games that we could've easily lost (in a good way) and not be in this dreaded 10-12 range
I 100% agree. I do not think Dallas will pick at 12 next Thursday. Pick 12 is going to be a prime spot for OT & WRs... we will have options to move with teams looking to move out of the top 10 or teams looking to come up from the teens/20's.
As we get closer to the draft and the picture gets clearer, the silver lining for pick 12 is that we know what we have to do. If our #1 goal is to get Styles or Downs, you move up and take them. If we had pick 7 or 8 instead, we'd probably take our chances and wait... and we'd probably lose the bet when Cleveland trades back with another team and we watch Styles and Downs go 5 & 6.
This is the most cowboys thing ever. We're cursed.
Or, Dallas trades up to 6 and OSU has 3 picks go in the top 5.
Maybe you give up the 12 and 20 to get in the top 5?
Bottom line: everything stays Pat and Dallas takes McCoy at 12.
Maybe you give up the 12 and 20 to get in the top 5?
Bottom line: everything stays Pat and Dallas takes McCoy at 12.
Cowboys will stay at 12 and Jerry's pick will go at 11. So, he'll grab the best available OL. That's not a bad idea in most cases.
I hope I did not offend anybody with this post. If I did, please come see me at my address in my profile so we can talk.
TyHolden said:
Cowboys will stay at 12 and Jerry's pick will go at 11. So, he'll grab the best available OL. That's not a bad idea in most cases.
If we got Fano at 12 and locked down a tackle spot, who's complaining? The only question about Fano was his arm length - no one questions his ability
Guyton is a major question mark and Steele sucks.
Woods Ag said:TyHolden said:
Cowboys will stay at 12 and Jerry's pick will go at 11. So, he'll grab the best available OL. That's not a bad idea in most cases.
If we got Fano at 12 and locked down a tackle spot, who's complaining? The only question about Fano was his arm length - no one questions his ability
Guyton is a major question mark and Steele sucks.
I've wanted OL with this pick all along. We lack serious talent at tackle. 60mm invested in Dak? Another 60+ in WRs?
Get a damn left tackle.
TyHolden said:
Cowboys will stay at 12 and Jerry's pick will go at 11. So, he'll grab the best available OL. That's not a bad idea in most cases.
Nobody will be complaining if we get Fano at 12
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
It ain't sexy but there are legit OL this draft. The Penn State kid is my favorite but IOL just not worth that. I'm already out on Guyton
Featured Stories
See All
Tennessee transfer forward Cade Phillips commits to Texas A&M hoops
by Luke Evangelist
18:30
14h ago
2.0k
All-American Kyndal Stowers always striving for improvement
by Kay Naegeli
12:39
19h ago
6.0k
Elko's recruiting machine is becoming more efficient
by Ryan Brauninger