The Dallas Cowboys made a much-needed move to bolster their defense in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas jumped up one spot on Thursday to ensure it secured the top safety in the incoming class, trading pick Nos. 12, 177 and 180 overall to the Miami Dolphins to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th selection.
“He was a prize for us sitting there,” team owner Jerry Jones said of Downs later on Thursday. “He’s a prize for us sitting there with the fives (fifth-round picks), without the fives, when it would absolutely cut your heart out. And we’ve had it done. I’ve had it done. I was just thinking of the times that we’ve been the next pick and had somebody move up and get him. We had every reason to think that that might be happening. … Didn’t want to lose him.”
The Dolphins waited just a little longer and landed Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor with the very next selection, a gargantuan 6-foot-7 and 352-pound blocker set to pave the way for Miami’s new regime led by coach Jeff Hafley.
Not content to sit tight at their next pick at No. 20 overall, the Cowboys recouped some capital lost in the Downs trade by allowing the rival Philadelphia Eagles to move up and take USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, moving back three spots and also receiving pick Nos. 114 and 137. The Cowboys sent a 2027 seventh-rounder to Philly as part of the deal, as well.
Dallas then continued its defensive retooling by selecting Central Florida pass rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd pick.
“This guy has got tremendous upside,” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said regarding Lawrence. “His first step quickness is elite. The ability to turn his toe and run the edge, as we like to call it, is, we think, elite. Then, of course, the one thing I love about the guy is he has an innate ability to attack the football while he’s attacking the quarterback. … Really, really excited about getting a chance to get him.”