The Dallas Cowboys put together a fairly solid 2026 NFL draft class, centered around improving the defense and reinforcing premium positions. Caleb Downs immediately elevates the intelligence and versatility of the secondary, while Malachi Lawrence and Jaishawn Barham continue the Cowboys’ investment in pass rush talent following the departure of Micah Parsons, though I believe Barham may play off-ball linebacker for the Cowboys. There were several selections that felt appropriately aggressive, but others — particularly along the offensive line — came earlier than expected relative to projection. Overall, this class blends impact talent with developmental swings, though some of the value decisions create a more uneven overall profile.
Dallas Cowboys: 2026 NFL Draft Class Overview
Draft Pick Selections
Round 1 | Pick 11 Overall
Caleb Downs | Safety | Ohio State
Caleb Downs to Dallas was an outstanding selection and one of the cleaner defensive fits in the entire draft. Downs gives Dallas a true defensive quarterback on the back end with elite instincts, range, and versatility to impact every level of the secondary. For a defense that needed both stability and playmaking ability, Downs immediately upgrades the identity of the unit and should become a foundational piece very quickly.
Round 1 | Pick 23 Overall
Malachi Lawrence | Edge | UCF
Lawrence enters the league as a highly explosive pass rusher whose elite get-off consistently allows him to threaten the edge and generate pressure. His ability to flatten around the corner and disrupt quarterbacks is already NFL-caliber, though there is still room for improvement in the consistency of the rest of his game. Dallas continues to prioritize speed and pressure off the edge, and Lawrence fits that philosophy extremely well.
Round 3 | Pick 92 Overall
Jaishawn Barham | Edge | Michigan
Barham may have come off the board slightly earlier than expected. However, he is likely to be a developmental off-ball linebacker. He has the versatility to play both on the edge and off-ball, but his best long term fit is at off-ball linebacker.
Round 4 | Pick 112 Overall
Drew Shelton | Offensive Tackle | Penn State
Once the early tackle talent came off the board, there was a noticeable drop-off at the position. And, Shelton was part of that second tier.
This felt too early relative to his overall projection, particularly given concerns about whether tackle is ultimately his best NFL position. There is a stronger argument for Shelton transitioning inside to guard long term, and his overall evaluation aligned more closely with a middle Day 3 prospect.
Round 4 | Pick 114 Overall
Devin Moore | Corner | Florida
When healthy, Moore plays at the level of a starting NFL corner and possesses clear Day 2 talent. The concern has always centered around durability and availability rather than ability. If Dallas can help stabilize his health and keep him consistently on the field, this could end up being one of the steals of the draft given both the value and the Cowboys’ need at corner.
Round 4 | Pick 137 Overall
LT Overton | Interior Defensive Line | Alabama
Overton entered the season with significant hype surrounding his upside, but the expected breakout never fully materialized. Dallas is clearly betting on traits and developmental potential here. In fact, they are likely viewing him as a rotational depth piece following the departure of Osa Odighizuwa. While there are still flashes worth developing, this still felt slightly early relative to the overall body of work.
Round 7 | Pick 218 Overall
Anthony Smith | Wide Receiver | East Carolina
Smith enters the league as a developmental receiver who offers depth and special teams versatility, but is unlikely to become a starter in the NFL.
Best Value Pick — Devin Moore | Corner | Florida
If not for injuries, Moore likely never makes it to this point in the draft. His tape consistently showed starting-caliber ability with strong movement skills, competitiveness, and coverage upside. Given Dallas’ need at corner and the value attached to the selection, this could end up being one of the steals of Day 3 if he can remain healthy.
Biggest Question Mark — Drew Shelton | Offensive Tackle | Penn State
The concern here revolves primarily around projection and positional value. Shelton was more of a middle Day 3 prospect, and there are legitimate questions about whether he ultimately sticks at tackle long term. While there is developmental flexibility, the overall value and projection made this one of the more questionable selections in the Cowboys’ class.
Final Thoughts
The Dallas Cowboys accomplished its primary objective of improving the defense while continuing to reinforce premium positions throughout the 2026 NFL draft. Caleb Downs gives the Cowboys a foundational defensive centerpiece, while Malachi Lawrence and Jaishawn Barham strengthen the pass-rush rotation following major offseason changes. Devin Moore also carries tremendous upside relative to draft position and could become one of the best value picks in the entire class if healthy. However, several selections — particularly Drew Shelton and LT Overton — felt slightly aggressive relative to overall projection. In the end, this class brings talent and upside to Dallas, but the uneven value profile prevents it from reaching the top tier of draft hauls.
Final Draft Grade: B-
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