The Dallas Cowboys have continued having problems in their defensive secondary. With that in mind, a new prediction has come out that would see Jerry Jones address the cornerback position following the 2026 season.
Cody Williams of FanSided has the Cowboys selecting Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones with the 21st overall pick in his newest 2027 NFL mock draft. That selection would come via the first-round choice Dallas holds from Green Bay.
Jones stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 205 pounds. He is built more like a wide receiver than a typical defensive back and is not afraid to use that length. He can fit multiple schemes but thrives most in press coverage.
The prospect remains raw in several areas. That is why some draft analysts do not project him as a first-rounder. Development would still be required in Dallas, but he could contribute early if the coaching staff improves.
The Cowboys enter this stretch of the season at 4-5. Their defense has allowed 26.2 points per game, tied for 25th in the NFL, and 372.7 total yards per game, which ranks 30th. Opponents are also converting 48.3 percent of third downs against them, the worst mark in the league.
Secondary issues have been a clear weak point. Trusted options have been limited, and several underperformers have left the unit short of reliability. That shortage is exactly what drew Williams to the cornerback position in this mock.
“My gut tells me that the Cowboys would love if there was a linebacker or an offensive tackle falling to them in this spot, but I don’t think they can go wrong on defense in many spots overall regardless. The pick for me is Kelley Jones, because Dallas simply can’t move forward without making substantial upgrades in the secondary,” Williams wrote.
Jones posted strong numbers in 2025. He finished with 34 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions while allowing just 11 catches on 38 targets. He also tied for the SEC lead with 11 forced incompletions and earned third-team All-SEC honors.
This season he has already recorded 33 tackles, seven pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss through nine games. His Pro Football Focus grade sits at 78.8, ranking him among the better cornerbacks nationally so far.
“Jones could either replace Joey Porter Jr. if he leaves in free agency or pair with him on the outside, which would move DaRon Bland back into the slot where he’s always performed better,” Williams added.
Dallas traded a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Porter Jr. earlier this year. Keeping him long-term remains a priority given that investment.
Pairing Jones with Porter on the outside would allow more flexibility elsewhere. The Cowboys have liked using safety Caleb Downs in the slot, and moving Bland inside has been discussed as a better fit given his struggles in 2026.
Even while still developing, Jones would represent a clear upgrade at a far lower cost than many veteran options. The Cowboys have cycled through defensive coordinators and schemes in recent years without sustained improvement.
Adding a player with Jones’ rare physical tools could address one of the most persistent needs. Whether that happens in 2027 remains uncertain, but the mock draft highlights how urgently the secondary requires help.
