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Last updated August 7, 2026

2026 NFL Draft Recap: Dallas Cowboys

The Headline Pick

Caleb Downs — SAF, Ohio State

Selected at No. 11 overall in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys made 7 total selections in this draft class.

SWN draft grade: A-

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Dallas executed two of the most aggressive Round 1 moves of the entire draft — trading up to No. 11 to land Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award winner), then acquiring No. 23 from the Eagles to draft UCF edge Malachi Lawrence. The Cowboys spent heavily on defense to support a unit that struggled in 2025.

Players to Watch

The Dallas Cowboys' highest-impact 2026 draft picks — the rookies most likely to make immediate contributions and the ones to follow heading into training camp:

Caleb Downs

Round 1, Pick 11

SAF · Ohio State · from Miami

The 2025 Jim Thorpe Award winner and arguably the best pure safety prospect since Derwin James. Downs was one of just 12 players the Cowboys had a first-round grade on entering the draft. He fills an immediate role as a slot defender and centerfield safety, and his coverage versatility lets Dallas run more sub-package defense without subbing out personnel. A foundational defensive piece — the kind of pick that ages into a Pro Bowl career if health holds.

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Malachi Lawrence

Round 1, Pick 23

EDGE · UCF · from Philadelphia

Dallas traded back into Round 1 with the Eagles to land Lawrence, complementing the offseason trade for Rashan Gary. Lawrence's combination of length and bend gives Dan Quinn's defense a true situational pass rusher to pair with Micah Parsons. The Cowboys had him graded as a top-15 talent and felt the value at 23 was too strong to pass up. Expect a rotational role with first-down pass-rush snaps in Year 1.

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Full Dallas Cowboys Draft Class

Round	Pick	Player	Pos.	College
1	11	Caleb Downs	SAF	Ohio State
1	23	Malachi Lawrence	EDGE	UCF
3	92	Jaishawn Barham	EDGE	Michigan
4	112	Drew Shelton	OT	Penn State
4	114	Devin Moore	CB	Florida
4	137	LT Overton	EDGE	Alabama
7	218	Anthony Smith	WR	East Carolina

Frequently Asked Questions

How many picks did the Dallas Cowboys have in the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys made 7 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft (April 23-25, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).

Who did the Dallas Cowboys draft in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys selected Caleb Downs, SAF out of Ohio State, with the No. 11 overall pick.

Who are the Dallas Cowboys top rookies to watch in 2026?

The top Dallas Cowboys rookies to watch heading into the 2026 season are Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence. See the "Players to Watch" section above for full scouting analysis on each.

What grade did the Dallas Cowboys 2026 draft class receive?

SWN graded the Dallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft class as a A-. Dallas executed two of the most aggressive Round 1 moves of the entire draft — trading up to No. 11 to land Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award winner), then acquiring No. 23 from the Eagles to draft UCF edge Malachi Lawrence. The Cowboys spent heavily on defense to support a unit that struggled in 2025.

Where can I buy Dallas Cowboys rookie jerseys for the 2026 season?

Dallas Cowboys rookie jerseys for the 2026 draft class are available on Fanatics — the official online retailer of NFL merchandise. Individual player jerseys typically go on sale within days of the draft. See the Players to Watch section above for direct links to each player's jersey listing.

Compiled by the Sports Wire Network editorial team from CBS Sports, ESPN, NFL.com, Yahoo Sports, and Wikipedia draft trackers. 2026 NFL Draft held April 23-25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Updated as new information becomes available.

More Dallas Cowboys coverage: Dallas Cowboys News · 2026 Schedule · How to Watch · Tonight's Game

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Affiliate disclosure: Sports Wire Network earns commissions from qualifying purchases made through Fanatics affiliate links on this page. Player analysis and draft grades are independent editorial content and not influenced by affiliate relationships.

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