Cowboys’ 2026 Draft spot after Week 17 - What it means for Dallas’ future

With the Dallas Cowboys out of the 2025 playoff picture, attention is starting to shift toward the 2026 NFL Draft, and specifically, where Dallas will be selecting in the first round.

The regular season isn’t over yet, but after the conclusion of Sunday’s Week 17 games, the draft picture is becoming clearer. Based on current standings, the Cowboys are positioned to hold two first-round picks in April.

Cowboys’ own first-round pick: Mid-first round

Dallas sits at 7-8-1, which places the Cowboys 14th overall in the current draft order if the season ended today. That’s smack dab in the middle of the first round, a range where teams often have flexibility to either land a high-upside prospect or move around the board.

Because several teams directly behind Dallas are sitting with similar records, the Cowboys’ exact position could still move slightly in Week 18. A win could push them back a few spots, while a loss could nudge them slightly higher.

The second first-rounder: From Green Bay

The Cowboys’ second first-round pick comes courtesy of the Green Bay Packers, acquired in the Micah Parsons blockbuster trade.

As things stand, Green Bay is 9-6-1, which slots that pick at No. 21 overall. That selection is much more fluid, however, because it will ultimately be determined by how far the Packers go in the postseason.

If Green Bay wins a playoff game, or several, that pick would slide closer to the end of the first round.

Holding two first-round picks gives the Cowboys plenty of flexibility. They could:

• Stay put and add two immediate contributors
• Package picks to move up for an elite prospect
• Use the later pick on a higher-floor player

Full 2026 NFL Draft order (if the season ended today)

Here’s how the entire first round currently stacks up based on Sunday’s results:

1. Las Vegas Raiders (2–14)
2. New York Giants (3–13)
3. New York Jets (3–13)
4. Tennessee Titans (3–13)
5. Arizona Cardinals (3–13)
6. Cleveland Browns (4–12)
7. Washington Commanders (4–12)
8. New Orleans Saints (6–10)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (6–10)
10. Cincinnati Bengals (6–10)
11. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) (6–9)
12. Miami Dolphins (7–9)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7–9)
14. Dallas Cowboys (7–8–1)
15. Detroit Lions (8–8)
16. Baltimore Ravens (8–8)
17. Minnesota Vikings (8–8)
18. New York Jets (from Colts) (8–8)
19. Carolina Panthers (8–8)
20. Pittsburgh Steelers (9–7)
21. Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) (9–6–1)
22. Los Angeles Chargers (11–5)
23. Philadelphia Eagles (11–5)
24. Buffalo Bills (11–5)
25. Chicago Bears (11–5)
26. Houston Texans (11–5)
27. Los Angeles Rams (11–4)
28. Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) (12–4)
29. San Francisco 49ers (12–4)
30. New England Patriots (13–3)
31. Denver Broncos (13–3)
32. Seattle Seahawks (13–3)

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