Cowboys trade twice, take two standout defenders in first round of NFL draft
With the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, as they traded up from their original No. 12 selection with the Miami Dolphins to take the All-American defensive back.
In the deal, the Cowboys gave up two fifth-round picks.
As a fit for the Cowboys, Downs could come in and immediately start at safety or the nickel corner spot.
A two-year starter at Ohio State after a standout freshman season at Alabama, Downs combined for 256 tackles, six interceptions, 10 pass deflections and three forced fumbles in his college career.
While offensive players were flying off the board early, defensive players started to come off in a hurry such as LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese. This forced a small trade up for the Cowboys to secure their guy.
Downs will depart his draft party and head straight to Dallas on Thursday night to be introduced as the newest Dallas Cowboy on Friday afternoon in a press conference.
Ahead of the No. 20 overall selection, the Cowboys traded the pick (and a 2027 seventh-round selection) to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 23 spot in exchange for two fourth-round selections (No. 114 and No. 137).
With that selection, the Cowboys selected Central Florida DE Malachi Lawrence.
At 6-foot-4.5, 253 pounds, Lawrence brings a healthy combination of a pass rush arsenal and edge-setting in the run game. In his four years at UCF, he combined for 72 tackles and 20 sacks. He reunites with new Cowboys assistant line coach Demeitre Brim, who came from UCF over the offseason.
During the draft process, Lawrence was a player new defensive coordinator Christian Parker became infatuated with, and he ends up getting his guy.
2026 NFL first-round draft picks
The first trade of the night happened when the Kansas City Chiefs traded up to the No. 6 overall selection with the Cleveland Browns.
Here is how the first round played out:
- Las Vegas Raiders - QB Fernando Mendoza (Indiana)
- New York Jets - DE David Bailey (Texas Tech)
- Arizona Cardinals - RB Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame)
- Tennessee Titans - WR Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
- New York Giants - EDGE Arvell Reese (Ohio State)
- Kansas City Chiefs (traded with Browns) - CB Mansoor Delane (LSU)
- Washington Commanders - LB Sonny Styles (Ohio State)
- New Orleans Saints - WR Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
- Cleveland Browns (traded with Chiefs) - OT Spencer Fano (Utah)
- New York Giants - OT Francis Mauigoa (Miami)
- Dallas Cowboys (traded with Dolphins) - S Caleb Downs (Ohio State)
- Miami Dolphins - OL Kadyn Proctor (Alabama)
- Los Angeles Rams - QB Ty Simpson (Alabama)
- Baltimore Ravens - OG Olaivavega Ioane (Penn State)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DE Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami)
- New York Jets - TE Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon)
- Detroit Lions - OT Blake Miller (Clemson)
- Minnesota Vikings - DT Caleb Banks (Florida)
- Carolina Panthers - OT Monroe Freeling (Georgia)
- Philadelphia Eagles (traded with Cowboys) - WR Makai Lemon (USC)
- Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Max Iheanachor (Arizona State
- Los Angeles Chargers - DE Akheem Mesidor (Miami)
- Dallas Cowboys (traded with Eagles) - DE Malachi Lawrence (UCF)
- Cleveland Browns - WR KC Concepcion (Texas A&M)
- Chicago Bears - S Dillon Thieneman (Oregon)
- Houston Texans (traded with Bills) - G Keylan Rutledge (Georgia Tech)
- Miami Dolphins (traded with 49ers) - CB Chris Johnson (San Diego State)
- New England Patriots (traded with Texans) - OT Caleb Lomu
- Kansas City Chiefs - DT Peter Woods (Clemson)
- New York Jets (traded with 49ers via Dolphins) - WR Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
- Tennessee Titans (traded with Patriots) - DE Keldric Faulk (Auburn)
- Seattle Seahawks - RB Jadarian Price (Notre Dame)
Pre-draft notes
• Defense is the priority, but not guaranteed. The Cowboys’ top targets at No. 12 include LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson.
• The “best player available” strategy could mean offense. If premier defenders are gone at No. 12, the Cowboys may take a wide receiver like Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson or Ohio State’s Carnell Tate. Stephen Jones said in January, “If CeeDee Lamb is sitting there again, you have to look at it.”
• Watch the offensive line picks before No. 12. The Cowboys need offensive linemen to go early — ideally at least three off the board from picks 3 to 10 — to push top defenders down to No. 12.
• Trading back from No. 20 is a real possibility. Dallas has only one day-two pick heading in, and 10 of the 12 teams picking behind them need offensive line help — creating potential trade partners eager to move up.
• Post-draft moves are already in the works. Stephen Jones said the team is “talking currently to teams about veteran players” to fill gaps at positions like linebacker, where a massive hole remains at the lead communicator role.
This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 6:24 PM.
