Why the Dallas Cowboys won’t draft for need in 2026, according to Brian Schottenheimer
The Dallas Cowboys are going with a different draft day approach in 2026 as head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared their philosophy.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made the teams’ priorities for this year’s NFL Draft crystal clear.
“You got to go best player available,” Schottenheimer said. “That’s part of the deal.”
Cowboys learning from the past
Dallas doesn’t have to look far back to understand the risk of chasing positional need. In the 2023 draft, the Cowboys selected Mazi Smith with the 26th overall pick, hoping he would anchor the defensive line for years to come. The need was obvious and the projection was ambitious...but it didn’t work out.
Drafting strictly to plug a hole can back teams into a corner. When a franchise convinces themselves they must address a specific position, they sometimes ignores the rest of the board and the long-term talent value staring them in the face. Schottenheimer seems determined not to repeat that mistake.
To illustrate his point, Schottenheimer referenced a past draft moment that still resonates inside the building. When CeeDee Lamb fell into Dallas’ lap in 2020, wide receiver wasn’t considered a dire need. The Cowboys took him anyway.
“If you pass on him and you watch him go on to have a great career,” Schottenheimer explained, “you can’t do that.”
That’s the essence of best player available (BPA). You trust your evaluations and stack your board. And when elite talent slides, you don’t overthink it.
Schottenheimer also made it clear this isn’t just his viewpoint. He believes owner Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones, and personnel chief Will McClay share the same philosophy.
Draft rooms fracture when urgency overrides discipline. Dallas’ leadership appears intent on avoiding that trap. While the Cowboys undeniably have needs at linebacker, corner, safety, and along the defensive front, Schottenheimer’s comments suggest they won’t force a selection simply to check a box.
Trust the board, even at No. 12
The Cowboys hold the No. 12 overall pick in the draft. If an elite running back, corner, or edge rusher unexpectedly falls, Dallas won’t ignore the talent because of positional value debates. If the next foundational player is there, take him.
It’s the philosophy that once landed franchise icons. It’s the approach that keeps teams competitive long-term instead of scrambling year to year. Schottenheimer is preaching patience and discipline. If Dallas sticks to it, the 2026 draft could mark the start of a more measured and potentially more rewarding era in Dallas.
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