FRISCO, Texas — With no shortage of headlines going into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys have now gone from making some splashes in this year's free agency spree to extending both Javonte Williams and All-Pro kicker Brandon Aubrey, also franchise tagging Pro Bowl receiver George Pickens — all while finalizing their draft board.
Entering this year's draft in Pittsburgh with the 12th- and 20th-overall pick, and eight picks in all, rebuilding the defense for Christian Parker is the mission, but that doesn't mean Brian Schottenheimer's offense is without need(s), and the Cowboys just made the first decision on which side of the ball will get a blue chip player first.
With their 11th-overall pick, they've selected Caleb Downs, the versatile safety out of Ohio State — trading up from No. 12 to No. 11 in a change with the Miami Dolphins for exchange for two 2026 fifth-round picks.
The next question was obvious: do they attack the linebacker position next with the 20th-overall pick, or maybe an outside linebacker, or a cornerback, or throw a curveball and add a blue chip player to the offensive side of the ball.
Striking a second trade deal on the night, the Cowboys sent the No. 20 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 23 pick, and Dallas has selected Malachi Lawrence out of the University of Central Florida.