The Dallas Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft focused heavily on upgrading their defense.They drafted safety Ohio State Buckeyes Caleb Downs and UCF Knights edge/linebacker Malachi Lawrence in the 1st round.
The Cowboys selected Michigan Wolverines edge rusher Jaishawn Barham in the 3rd round. Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton, Florida Gators cornerback Devin Moore, and Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman LT Overton were all picked in the 4th round. East Carolina wide receiver Anthony Smith was their 7th-round pick.
The 5’11”, 206-lb. Downs had 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, pass breakups, and forced fumbles in 2025 for the Buckeyes. He provides pro-level tackling while having elite processing and IQ. He lacks size and athletic measurables.
The 6’4″, 253-lb. Lawrence had 28 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles, and 11 tackles for loss with the Knights. He is a disruptive edge rusher with explosive first-step quickness, power, and a relentless motor. He is also a below-average run defender with a poor run defense grade and a 4.2% run-stop rate in 2025.
The 6’3′ 240-lb. Barham had 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass breakups, and one forced fumble in 2025 for the Wolverines. Barham began his career at the Maryland Terrapins, where he was a Freshman All-American before transferring to Michigan in 2024.
He is a good defender against the run. Most of Barham’s career snaps have come at off-ball linebacker, but he has shown raw athleticism and explosive traits that teams covet. Barham has the range to play linebacker while he develops into an edge rusher at the next level.
The 6’5 313 lb. Shelton has good footwork, allowing just one sack and 18 pressures in 2025 across 356 pass block snaps with the Nittany Lions. He reaches the second level quickly and boasts high mobility in open blocks as well. On the other hand, his frame isn’t particularly large, and it’s a concern that he tends to get controlled by rushers in pass protection.
The 6’3 196-lb. Moore had 35 tackles, two tackles for loss/interceptions, four pass breakups, and one forced fumble with the Gators. He has the ideal frame and length to excel as a press-man corner. Moore also does not struggle with transition speed or mirroring despite his size, which is rare. The concerns with him are mainly injury-related.
The 6’5 278 lb. Overton had 42 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks, and one pass breakup on the Crimson Tide. He has the combination of size/strength, versatility, and is an impressive run defender. However, he lacks production and is an absolute tweener on the defensive line.
The 6’2 197-lb. Smith was a First-Team All-AAC selection with 64 receptions for 1,053 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025. He ran a 4.40 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
Smith has good size along with his great speed, explosiveness, and acceleration. He could learn from both George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb.
•Round 1: Caleb Downs (S), Malachi Lawrence (EDGE)
•Round 3: Jaishawn Barham (EDGE)
•Round 4: Drew Shelton (OT), Devin Moore (CB), LT Overton (DL)
•Round 7: Anthony Smith (WR)
The Cowboys had an A-to-A NFL Draft. The defensive players they picked provide versatility.
They found playmakers at every level of the defense and added real depth where it was needed most. Smart, calculated moves all weekend.
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