FRISCO, Texas -- The 2026 NFL draft wrapped up on Saturday after three days in Pittsburgh.
In the first round, Dallas Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs with pick No. 11 and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 23.
Here's a look at the Cowboys' selections and what you need to know about them:
Analysis of every pick | Updated depth chart
Round 1, No. 11 overall: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
My take: Some personnel people considered Downs, 21, the best player in the draft, even though he does not play one of the pivotal positions. He was a great player at Alabama and Ohio State. Last season for the Buckeyes, he played for coordinator Matt Patricia, who oversaw some of the Patriots' Super Bowl defenses. Downs was able to understand Patricia's defense quickly and excelled. The Cowboys added safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke in free agency, but Downs can fill a different role as a slot player. He is more than willing to be physical. He can stay with running backs and tight ends. He knows how to communicate to bridge the differences between the front seven and back end. He was one of the 12 players the Cowboys had a first-round grade on entering the draft.
Will he start as a rookie?: It depends on the definition of starter but remember coach Brian Schottenheimer listed nickel defender as the Cowboys' biggest need when asked at the recent NFL league meeting. New coordinator Christian Parker will use a sub package more than a base defense, so there will be plenty of snaps for Downs as a rookie. With Thompson and Malik Hooker, Downs doesn't need to "start" at safety, but there will be plenty of snaps for him to play in 2026 regardless of where he lines up on the field.
What we're hearing about Downs: Speaking on "The Pat McAfee Show" this week, Nick Saban, who was Downs' coach at Alabama, said, "The guy is so instinctive, he's got really good ability. He's a phenomenal person, and he is a football junkie." In 2023, as a freshman, Downs led Alabama's defense in tackles (107).
What Malachi Lawrence brings to the Cowboys
Round 1, No. 23: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF
My take: Did you see the Cowboys' defense last season? They were 30th in yards per game and 32nd in points allowed per game. They need help, even after a few free agent additions. The trade for Rashan Gary helped the front seven, but Lawrence will have the opportunity to be more than a situational pass rusher. With Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark on the interior, the thinking goes that the outside rushers will get a lot of one-on-one blocking. The Cowboys believe he has an aggressive style and can get off the ball quickly. Schottenheimer said he especially likes the way Lawrence attacks the football when he gets after the quarterback.
What we're hearing about Lawrence: By no means was Will McClay, the vice president of player personnel, comparing Lawrence to former Cowboys pass rushers DeMarcus Lawrence and DeMarcus Ware, but there are some similar traits. "He's probably got more juice than DeMarcus from a pure speed standpoint, but the relentless method that he goes after the quarterback reminds you a little of DeMarcus there," McClay said. "And I think the first-step quickness, not to say that he's him, but one of the things that made DeMarcus Ware a great rusher is the ability to get off the ball and turn the corner. This kid has some of those traits."
Ties to the team: Cowboys assistant defensive line coach Demeitre Brim was Lawrence's line coach last year at UCF and kept tabs on him during the draft process. "He was asking me how I was, how I'm doing during this draft process, checking in on me," Lawrence said, "and then kind of told me that the guys there, the staff there likes me. He was just saying they like me and keep doing what I'm doing."
Round 3, No. 92: Jaishawn Barham, OLB, Michigan
My take: Versatility has been a staple of the Cowboys' thinking in rebuilding their defense. In Barham, they have a linebacker with off-ball experience and pass-rushing experience. Schottenheimer said Barham will start out as an inside linebacker with the Cowboys and used the Eagles' Zack Baun as an example of what Barham may be. Baun started out as an off-ball linebacker but found his big success in Philadelphia with a move inside, and DC Parker saw that evolution when he coached Baun with the Eagles. How serious are the Cowboys about their defensive makeover? That's three picks and all on defense. In 2021, Dan Quinn's first year as coordinator, the Cowboys' first six selections were on defense.
Ties to the Cowboys: Like Downs and Lawrence, Barham visited the The Star prior to the draft, so they were able to get to know him a little better. The Cowboys' recent run of Michigan draftees on defense is, shall we say, uneven. In 2017, they took Taco Charlton in the first round. In 2023, they took Mazi Smith in the first round. Neither player lived up to the standards, but the Cowboys did find success with cornerback Jourdan Lewis in the third round in 2017.
Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
My take: The Cowboys needed depth at tackle, with questions around Tyler Guyton as the former first-round pick moves into his third year. Terence Steele reworked his contract in the offseason, and Nate Thomas is the current swing tackle. Shelton made 34 starts at left tackle for Penn State. Can he come in right away and compete for a starting spot? That would seem a bit much, but Schottenheimer wants to have as much as competition as possible.
Round 4, No. 114: Devin Moore, CB, Florida
My take: If we believe in the axiom that a team can never have enough pass rushers, it can't have enough cornerbacks either. Moore started 17 games at Florida, including every game in 2025 (11), but had injury concerns. At 6-3, 198 pounds, he has the size the Cowboys like in corners.
He had five interceptions and 14 pass breakups, but perhaps more important is that he did not have a penalty over his last two seasons. Coordinator Christian Parker has shown he can develop corners, and the Cowboys hope Moore will be the next one. With DaRon Bland, Shavon Revel Jr., Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson, Derion Kendrick and Trikweze Bridges, the Cowboys have enough numbers at corner.
Round 4, No. 137: LT Overton, Edge, Alabama
My take: The Cowboys have talked about versatility all offseason. Their defensive backs fit the bill. Third-rounder Barham can play inside and outside linebacker. Overton could be a candidate to play with his hand on the ground with some edge traits. He weighs 274 pounds and can help set the edge. He had seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss at Alabama after playing two seasons at Texas A&M.
The Cowboys have remade their defense with five of their six picks on that side of the ball.
Round 7, No. 218: Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina
My take: The Cowboys' top four receivers are set with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy and KaVontae Turpin. After that? It's Parris Campbell, Jonathan Mingo and Traeshon Holden.
Smith could have an opportunity to make the back end of the roster provided he has some special teams ability. He started 26 games in his last two seasons at East Carolina and had 64 catches for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. He is a big-play threat with his 4.40-second 40-yard dash speed.