FRISCO, Texas — The Cowboys have received two compensatory fifth-round picks in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and now owns the 177th and 180th overall picks.
The NFL awarded 33 total compensatory picks to 15 different NFL teams on Monday, which are given out to teams based on a formula for compensatory free agents lost that includes salary, playing time, and postseason honors/awards.
The NFL listed the compensatory free agents Dallas lost in 2026 as DeMarcus Lawrence, Jourdan Lewis, Rico Dowdle, Chauncey Golston, Chuma Edoga and Brandin Cooks. On the flipside, the compensatory free agents the Cowboys gained were Javonte Williams, Dante Fowler, Solomon Thomas and Robert Jones.
In total, Dallas now owns eight picks going into next months’ NFL Draft, including the 12th and 20th overall selections in the first round. Additionally, the Cowboys have a fourth-round pick (112), three fifth-round picks (150, 177, 180) and two seventh-round picks.
Since compensatory picks began being awarded in 1994, the Cowboys have received the second-most in the NFL with 60 trailing only the Baltimore Ravens, who have 64.
The Cowboys has had success in the past with compensatory picks, as Dak Prescott and DaRon Bland are among the current Cowboys who were picked with a compensatory selection, and offensive lineman Larry Allen was the first compensatory pick in NFL History to reach the Hall of Fame.
With plenty of needs on defense even as free agency begins this week, the Cowboys have an avenue to look to add to the roster with their draft picks, even with a majority on Day 3. That said, Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones did not rule out the possibility of a potential trade, and has shown willingness recently to move draft capital around for players that can help Dallas’ roster now.
“I don’t know that I’d expect it but we have the ammunition to be good at it,” Jones said at the NFL Combine. “And I wouldn’t hesitate to be good at it if it will help our team and help the timeline that we’re talking about.”
