The NFC Reset: the First‑Round Decisions That Will Define 2026
Blue‑chip defenders, franchise quarterbacks, and the prospects who reshape entire divisions.
All the playoff teams are set. Some fans are Super Bowl hopefuls. Others were thrilled for Black Monday (series of firing of coaches and staff). If your team has not made the playoffs, this article is for you.
You can tell from my last article, I am hedging my bet on edges getting drafted early and often. This is a deep class for this position, but blue-chip edges are thin at the top. I must admit as a Chiefs fan now with the 9th pick, I genuinely hope Rueben Bain Jr or Caleb Downs fall. Sign me up every day of the week for either one of those scenarios!
We are very early into the draft process. Things can change in the blink of an eye. New HCs and GMs needed to be hired for a handful of these teams on this list. So for some of these teams I going plainly of needs based on weak spots on either side of the ball and keeping in mind number of free agents each team will have at said position. That being said with it being so early (no free agency, no combine, no Senior/Shrine bowl) I would love to know what you think! Let’s get into it in the comments.
As a brief refresher, here are the players I have already taken off the board with AFC team:
Fernando Mendoza (Raiders - Pick 1)
Caleb Downs (Jets - Pick 3 - Now Pick 2)
Rueben Bain Jr. (Titans - Pick 4)
Arvell Reese (Browns - Pick 6)
Jordyn Tyson (Chiefs - Pick 9)
David Bailey (Bengals - Pick 10)
Mansoor Delane (Doplhins - Pick 11)
Spencer Fano (Colts/Jets - Pick 18)
Even since that article has been released pick have already moved around!
So, without further ado, let’s kick this off division by division for the NFC!
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East
Dallas Cowboys
Pick #: 12 (plus another 1st round via GB, ranging from between ~#19-32, depending on how well the Packers do in the playoffs)
Team Needs: Dline, Safety, Cornerback, Linebacker, and Wide Receiver
Selection: Jermod McCoy
The Dallas Cowboys will have an exciting first round with 2 first-round picks. We may have better ideas post-free agency on what they may do with these picks. George Pickens is up for a new extension. If they do not resign him, this pick could be a WR.
Jermod McCoy makes sense for Dallas because his production and play style align with what the Cowboys consistently ask of their boundary corners. In his most recent full season at Tennessee, McCoy recorded 40+ tackles, 4 interceptions, and 9–12 pass breakups, routinely playing the ball rather than just staying in phase. Quarterbacks tested him early and largely stopped as the season progressed, a pattern that shows up clearly on tape. His ball production is not accidental. McCoy reads routes well from depth, closes aggressively, and finishes at the catch point, traits Dallas has prioritized when drafting corners in the first round. At pick 12, that level of proven takeaway production carries real value.
From a fit standpoint, McCoy projects as a day-one starting outside corner in Dallas’ defense. The Cowboys rely heavily on corners who can survive in press and off-man without constant safety help, allowing the front to attack. McCoy’s length, patience at the line, and closing burst fit that requirement. He would allow Dallas to stay aggressive with coverage rotations and pressure looks rather than shading help to one side. This is not a developmental pick. McCoy would be drafted to play immediately, take on WR1/WR2 matchups, and add turnover upside to a defense that already thrives when it can dictate terms. At 12, he fits Dallas’ long-standing preference for defensive backs who can both cover and finish play
Washington Commanders
Pick #: 7