FRISCO, Texas — The 2026 NFL draft has begun in Pittsburgh. The three-day event continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).
The Dallas Cowboys selected Caleb Downs with pick No. 11 and Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 in Round 1.
A full list of the Cowboys’ selections is below and will be updated with pick-by-pick analysis through the weekend.
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).
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What Malachi Lawrence brings to the Cowboys
What Malachi Lawrence brings to the Cowboys
Round 1, No. 23 overall: Malachi Lawrence, DE, 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.”
What’s next: The Cowboys do not have a second-round selection, but they have pick No. 92 in the third round, Nos. 112, 114 and 134 in the fourth round, No. 152 in the fifth round and No. 218 in the seventh. They could have a chance to move around to fill some holes, but maybe not all the way up to Round 2.
Remaining picks
Round 3: No. 92
Round 4: No. 112
Round 4: No. 114
Round 4: No. 134
Round 5: No. 152
Round 7: No. 218
