Dallas Cowboys

‘Great pick’: Reactions to Dallas Cowboys’ moves in the first round of NFL draft

The Dallas Cowboys came into the 2026 NFL draft with a bevy of options.

They could try to get help for a defensive unit that struggled, take a wide receiver to perhaps replace the possibly soon-to-depart George Pickens or trade the pick for future capital.

The Cowboys traded up with the Miami Dolphins for the No. 11 pick, giving up two fifth-round picks and their No. 12 selection, to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

⚡ Full coverage of NFL draft:

→Cowboys make 2 trades, draft 2 defensive standouts in first round

→Day 2: Cowboys trade for ex-TCU linebacker, take Michigan LB

→Day 3: Trio of fourth-round picks from Big Ten, SEC

→Did Cowboys solve linebacker problem with trade for ex-Horned Frog?

→Cowboys ecstatic with 'surgical' first round

→First-round picks arrive at The Star in Frisco

→Get to know all the new Cowboys

→Meet first-round pick Caleb Downs

→Meet first-round pick Malachi Lawrence

→Meet third-round pick Jaishawn Barham

→Meet fourth-round pick Drew Shelton

→Meet fourth-round pick Devin Moore

→Meet fourth-round pick LT Overton

→Meet seventh-round pick Anthony Smith

→Rookie free agent tracker: Who else are Cowboys bringing in?

→Barry Switzer's grandson to get tryout with Cowboys

→Nick Saban caught on hot mic calling Dallas pick 'a reach'

→Fans react to full 2026 draft haul

→Fans, pundits react to Cowboys' first-round moves

→Here's the one Fort Worth-area high school player who was drafted

→First TCU player drafted goes to Super Bowl champs

→All-Big 12 TCU linebacker taken in fourth round

→Another TCU linebacker is last Horned Frog selected

→Opponent, date for Cowboys' Brazil game set

→WR George Pickens signs franchise tag

The Cowboys weren’t done trading, this time partnering with their NFC East rival the Philadelphia Eagles, getting picks No. 23, No. 114 and No. 137 in exchange for picks No. 20 and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

The Cowboys would make their next pick at No. 23, taking Central Florida defensive end Malachi Lawrence.

Here’s how fans and pundits reacted to the selections:

This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 8:39 PM.

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Lawrence Dow
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.
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