Ahead of the 2026 season, Bleacher Report’s NFL scouting staff released its defensive lineman rankings on Wednesday, and the Dallas Cowboys were well represented near the top. Quinnen Williams was named the No. 1 defensive lineman in the league, while teammate Kenny Clark came in at No. 19, giving Dallas a pair in the top 20.Williams topped the list as a member of the highest tier: “Pro Bowl Caliber.” Despite recording a career-low 2.5 sacks last season, Williams is still an elite disruptor both against the run and on passing downs, with Bleacher Report’s scouts pointing to his “strength, motor, and active hands” in particular. First-year defensive coordinator Christian Parker will lean heavily on the former All-Pro’s athleticism and talent as he anchors the Cowboys' defensive front in 2026.Quinnen Williams pic.twitter.com/kn4DaFC1fc— SleeperCowboys (@SleeperCowboys) May 17, 2026Clark earned a spot in the third tier as a “Critical Roster Piece.” The three-time Pro Bowler was praised for his versatility, with the Bleacher Report staff noting how he lined up “anywhere from a 0-technique nose tackle to a 5-tech defensive end” last year. This ability to impact the game in multiple ways provides valuable flexibility for a Cowboys defense looking to improve after having one of the worst defensive seasons in franchise history in 2025.#Cowboys DT Kenny Clark led the team in pressures with 5 in Week 2.Here are those five snaps: pic.twitter.com/CQnNIOJClt— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 15, 2025The rankings also highlight how aggressively the Cowboys have invested in their interior defensive line over the past 12 months. Dallas acquired Clark from Green Bay as part of the trade package in the August 2025 blockbuster deal that sent superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers. Then, at the trade deadline in November, Dallas surrendered a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick, and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to acquire Williams from the Jets.With these two veterans providing both production and versatility, the Cowboys enter 2026 with a significantly stronger interior presence as they look to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023. The Dallas Cowboys will open the 2026 regular season on September 13 against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.