NFL Draft 2026: The Dallas Cowboys Draft Grades

The Dallas Cowboys had a mission heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. To fix the defense as best they could. And it appears that the Cowboys were able to acquire some promising pieces to help complete that mission. The Cowboys came into the draft armed with two first-round picks, no second-rounder, and a new third-round pick they acquired from trading defensive tackle Osa Odigizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers. They also had a fourth-round selection, a fifth, and two seventh-rounders. The Cowboys needed to address a few more positions on the defensive side of the ball after their defense finished 32nd overall, according to Pro Football Reference. Now it’s time to check the Cowboys’ draft grades to see if it’s a “mission complete”.

The Dallas Cowboys Draft Grades: Fix The Defense

First Round, 11th Overall Selection: Caleb Downs, Safety

The Cowboys surprised everyone when they opted to trade spots with the Miami Dolphins, moving up from 12th overall to 11th. The details of the trade: The Cowboys traded the 12th, 177th, and 180th picks to the Miami Dolphins for their 11th overall selection. This allowed the Cowboys to select arguably the best safety in the 2026 draft class. Some even consider Caleb Downs to be the best player in the draft overall. Whatever your flavor is, the Cowboys managed to come away with a prized pick to help rebuild their defense. Downs is credited as an “instinctive” player on the football field and isn’t afraid to get in the mix with his physicality. The Cowboys still have Malik Hooker on the roster and signed PJ Locke during free agency, so there’s no need to rush Downs. But don’t expect that to be the case all season. Downs will likely earn his way to a starting role much sooner rather than later.

Draft Grade: A+

First Round, 23rd Overall Selection: Malachi Lawrence, Defensive End

The Cowboys’ pass rush was nearly non-existent during the 2025 season. The defense finished 35 sacks on the season and finished with the highest points allowed at 30.1 per game. The Cowboys made strides to improve the defense by adding Rashad Gary via trade during free agency, but Lawrence will have a chance to get meaningful snaps this season. Lawrence looks like a player with a high motor when chasing down quarterbacks. With Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark causing havoc on the interior, Lawrence joins a group of pass rushers who will have more opportunities to meet at the quarterback, allowing the game to flow to him with possibly less pressure than in previous seasons.

Draft Grade: A

*No Second Round Selection: Packaged For Jets DT Quinnen Williams

The Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL Draft without a second-round selection. But that’s alright. The Cowboys packaged that pick in a deal that sent former Cowboy Mazi Smith to the New York Jets for Pro Bowl DT Quinnen Williams. We saw Williams come in and offer an immediate impact, albeit brief, due to the continued defensive struggles. But Williams’ impact was felt. Now he will be one of the cornerstones of the defense heading into 2026. This was a savvy move for the Cowboys to pounce on a player who wasn’t known to be on the trade block when the Jets decided to hit the rebuild button.

*Traded Original Third-Round Pick To Acquire WR George Pickens

The Cowboys’ original third-round draft pick was traded earlier during the 2025 offseason for former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (I couldn’t believe the deal was real at first). Pickens came in and completely went off in the Cowboys’ offense. Pickens not only finished as an All-Pro in his first year with Dak Prescott, but also finished with over 1,400 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. The addition of George Pickens to the Cowboys’ roster was a great move, making the offense that much more deadly when you consider Ceedee Lamb is on the other side of the field.

Third Round: 92nd Overall Selection: Jaishawn Barham, Outside Linebacker

The linebacker position was a spot the Cowboys needed to address. Since it wasn’t addressed during free agency, it looks like the draft had the answer in the form of Jaishawn Barham. Some commentators during the draft noted that Barham shared similarities to Arvell Reese in his ability to play multiple positions. That may be something useful for the Cowboys to use in the future. For now, it seems that the Cowboys will use him at the linebacker position. Barham has also played as an off-ball linebacker and a pass rusher, so his versatility likely played into his being drafted by the Cowboys. Christian Parker’s experience with Eagles linebacker Zach Baun adds another layer of consideration when evaluating Barham’s usage in the Cowboys’ defense this season.

Draft Grade: A

Fourth Round, 112th Overall Selection: Drew Shelton, Offensive Tackle

It was interesting that the Cowboys decided to add to the offensive line when they drafted OT Drew Shelton with the second of their three fourth-round picks. The 6’5″. 315 Lb Nittany Lion has the size to be an NFL offensive lineman. The Cowboys could use the depth at the position, too. Terrence Steele had his contract reworked this offseason, and Nate Thomas is the current swing tackle on the team. Tyler Guyton heads into his third season as the Cowboys’ left tackle. Shelton played left tackle for Penn State during his college career. This is just a guess, but if Shelton can secure a tackle spot, we could see a shuffle at the position for the Cowboys as they try to assemble the best line to protect Dak Prescott.

Draft Grade: B+

Fourth Round, 114th Overall Selection: Devin Moore, Cornerback

The 6’3 corner out of Florida brings length to the Cowboys’ defensive back position. With Christian Parker calling the defense this season, the hope is that the corner spot picks up after it was getting cooked repeatedly last season. The Cowboys also added some help at DB during free agency, bringing in Cobie Durant with Darion Bland and Shavon Revel already on the roster. His injury history may be the biggest concern as opposed to his talent level, but if he can stay healthy, we could be talking about Moore more during the regular season.

Draft Grade: B

Fourth Round, 137th Overall Selection: LT Overton, Defensive End

LT Overton looks to be the real project for the Cowboys’ defensive coaches. According to NFL scouts, Overton has the tools to be an effective player in a rotation with his size and arm length. While there may be a few more bodies ahead of him on the depth chart, Overton’s addition adds much-needed depth to the position and should allow him to grow into a reliable player for the Cowboys’ defense.

Draft Grade: B

Seventh Round, 218th Overall Selection: Anthony Smith, Wide Receiver

This could be a “diamond in the rough” out of all the Cowboys’ Day 3 selections. The 6’1, Eastern Carolina Pirates wide receiver with 4.43 speed gives the Cowboys a potential deep threat to the roster. The Cowboys’ top three wide receivers, Ceedee Lamb, George Pickens, and Ryan Flournoy, are all locks at the top of the WR depth chart. Everything else behind those guys is up for grabs. Smith also adds a 41-inch vertical, which could be a nightmare for defenders to deal with at the NFL level, including the kind of speed he has. Jonathan Mingo better watch his back. If he’s not careful, he could end up sliding down the depth chart.

Draft Grade: B+

Overall Review

The Dallas Cowboys stuck to their guns for the majority of the draft, keeping in mind the goal to restock on the defensive side of the ball. The Cowboys also attacked areas in which they needed to make additions (Safety, Edge, and Linebacker). They also managed to add a DB in Devin Moore with one of their fourth-round picks and added extra help to the offensive line in Drew Shelton.

With these new additions, combined with the moves the Cowboys made last season with their 2026 draft stock, the Cowboys come away with an A grade overall for their 2026 draft. With the pieces now set, and the start of the offseason program to OTAs and training camp on the horizon, we will get to see how these pieces come together for the new football season. For now, everyone in the Dallas Cowboys front office should be coming away with high fives and pats on the back.