Cowboys owner Jerry Jones uses CeeDee Lamb example as reason to go offense over defense early

The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, and the Dallas Cowboys have two picks in the first round. While defense was an issue last season, expectations are for the organization to go defense-heavy in the draft. However, owner and general manager Jerry Jones is essentially saying, ‘Not so fast,’ with his latest comments.

Jones, who is 83 years old, is not completely shutting the door on possibly selecting an offensive player early in the NFL Draft on Thursday, according to Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas News. The long-time owner used wide receiver CeeDee Lamb as his perfect example.

“Cowboys owner Jerry Jones cited the CeeDee Lamb pick in 2020 again and how they originally wanted to go defense with that pick,” reported Hoyt. “The possibility to do it again? ‘That’s alive and well,’ [said Jones].”

Dallas used the No. 17 overall pick on Lamb when the 27-year-old former Oklahoma Sooner fell to the Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft. Jerry Jones pulled the trigger, despite the roster needing help on the defensive side of the ball. Skip ahead to the 2026 offseason, and Lamb is considered one of the best wide receivers in the league.

So, from the sounds of it, all options are on the table leading up to the first round of this year’s draft. Jones admitted, though, that the Cowboys will draft an offensive player if a perfect storm occurs, per team writer Clarence Hill Jr.

“Jerry Jones said, given the right circumstances, they will go offense even though they have more holes on defense,” reported Hill.

The Cowboys own the No. 12 and No. 20 overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Dallas acquired pick No. 20 from the Green Bay Packers as part of the package deal sending Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Jerry Jones has eight total selections to work with, three of which are in the top 92.

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