Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer struck a confident tone on Wednesday, less than a month from the start of the 2026 NFL Draft.
With most of the biggest offseason moves already in the rearview mirror, the Cowboys coach believes the franchise has done enough to improve its depth and flexibility leading into the draft.
The Cowboys, coming off a 7-9 season, added Darrion Kendrick, Rashan Gary, Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, Otito Ogbonnia and Tyrus Wheat on defense, while also retaining wideout George Pickens and running back Javonte Williams on offense.
Entering the draft, Dallas holds eight picks, including two first-round selections, giving the front office ample room for maneuvering.
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The Cowboys keep working on their pre-draft process and, on Wednesday, coach Schottenheimer talked from the University of Texas.
Schottenheimer pointed to Dallas’ free agency approach and offseason moves as reasons why the Cowboys can stay flexible in the draft, even with the roster still not finalized on either side of the ball.
“I think we did a really good job of setting ourselves up to be able to draft natural and draft pure, which is what you want to do,” Schottenheimer said. “You don’t want to have to be forced to reach for a player, that’s when you make mistakes.”
Added Schottenheimer: "I think it starts with the guys we brought back first and foremost. I’m always going to start with George and Javonte, guys like that that we’ve signed back on the offensive side of the ball. Getting a chance to get a guy like Rashan Gary, who I’ve had to compete against a lot, he’s just an incredible football player, has been from the time he was a senior in high school through Michigan."
According to the Cowboys report, Schottenheimer labeled Dallas' free agency as doing "a hell of a job."
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is scheduled for Apr. 23, with the No. 1 pick set to be announced shortly after 8 p.m. ET and the Cowboys holding the No. 12 and No. 20 selections.
