Analyzing the Dallas Cowboys' complete seven-player haul from the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Dallas Cowboys have completed the 2026 NFL Draft process with seven incoming rookies and a slew of trade moves that contribute to this year's capital. But those are moves that have already warranted quality contributors.
While the rest of this recap will analyze the draftees, it's worth noting that Dallas' full activity in this phase also includes trading mid-round picks to acquire Quinnen Williams and George Pickens, dating back to last offseason and the trade deadline.
There's no reason to grade those ... they're obvious wins for the team on both sides of the ball.
Additionally, that includes the mid-weekend trade that landed a potential starting linebacker in Dee Winters, who was swapped from the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for one of the Cowboys' fifth-round picks.
So, without further ado, it's time to grade the complete haul ahead of Dallas' second year in the Brian Schottenheimer era.
DB Caleb Downs - 1st Round, Pick No. 11
A dream scenario. There's no other way to put it.
A defensive back is rarely considered the best, natural player in their entire draft class. But in the recent occurrences of that even slightly being the case (Kyle Hamilton, Pat Surtain II/Jaycee Horn, Sauce Gardner, etc), they've turned into bona fide studs.
Downs is on that trajectory, and not just because of the dual-threat physicality that will make him a Swiss-army knife in Christian Parker's scheme, but for the immense football IQ that makes that skillset possible.
We urged the Cowboys to draft best available athlete, and Downs fit that mold after a trade up to No. 11. Coming at an in-need position like slot cornerback is the cherry on top.
GRADE - a resounding A+
EDGE Malachi Lawrence - 1st Round, Pick No. 23
The Cowboys will deploy a new-look group of edge rushers that should bring a youthful approach to rushing the passer. It was the team's largest defensive line deficiency throughout the season with Micah Parsons gone. Lawrence will join a group where he figures to have a great opportunity to prove himself and earn a rotational spot right away.
Having drawn comparisons from Will McClay to Cowboys greats like DeMarcus Ware and DeMarcus Lawrence, Malachi will have big expectations to fill, and not everybody had him this high on their boards. Clearly, the Cowboys see something they like.
Lawrence was one of the few players Dallas followed extremely closely in this mid-to-late-first-round group, and a connection to defensive line coach Demeitre Brim grows the optimism even more that he belongs.
GRADE - B+
LB Jaishawn Barham - 3rd Round, Pick No. 92
Michigan curse? Schottenheimer hasn't had one of those, though the Cowboys in the last decade have had a few. Barham was another of Schotty's personal preferences, so he's hoping more than anybody that The Trade of Mazi Smith exterminates a bad stretch of Wolverines-turned-Cowboys.
Like edge rusher, the linebacker core features more youth than a year ago, with DeMarvion Overshown and Dee Winters - both on expiring rookie contracts - as "veterans" in the room.
Barham - who has been an edge but will be an inside linebacker to begin his time in Dallas - plays with his hair on fire, which can be exactly what you want in a guy filling in in spot duty in the middle of the field.
GRADE - A
OT Drew Shelton - 4th Round, Pick No. 112
The Cowboys have heard loud and clear that their new highest-paid offensive guard, Tyler Smith, wants to stay playing on the inside, meaning the pressure is on for former first-rounder Tyler Guyton and former undrafted signee Terence Steele to solidify their long-term spot.
In the event either of those two does not pan out, a pick here is worth the investment. Offensive line depth turnover is more apparent than in other position groups each offseason, as well, and Shelton brings promising physical tools to be of use.
GRADE - B
CB Devin Moore - 4th Round, Pick No. 114
The Cowboys pulled the trigger on another defensive back amid last year's litany of injury problems with a group including DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel Jr.
While Moore also dealt with injuries at Florida, he was a veteran starter in the best conference in the country and has elite length that can translate positively in a variety of ways.
He also carries a bravado that gives cover corners a certain edge that typically plays in their favor, as long as it's containable.
GRADE - A
DL LT Overton - 4th Round, Pick No. 137
Overton's pedigree from a strong stint at Alabama benefits his lack of burst in determining his draft stock.
He'll figure to be a versatile piece that will have to find exactly where his skills fit best, but the raw abilities were too much not to consider as Dallas looks to turnaround it's woeful defense.
GRADE - B+
WR Anthony Smith - 7th Round, Pick No. 218
If the Cowboys were to target any skill position in this draft, it'd be the wide receiver room following Jalen Tolbert's exit as an experienced third-option.
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will continue to headline the group, but Ryan Flournoy is currently sliding into that No. 3 role with just a handful of highlights from last season to work with.
Smith and his lightning speed could find a role, but it'll take some creativity from the coaching staff in unearthing his true potential.
GRADE - C+
