Caleb Downs, Cowboys rookies hit practice field for first time in Frisco
It’s been less than a week since the Dallas Cowboys’ 2026 draft class was finalized, but the rookie class made its way to Frisco yesterday afternoon for a three-day rookie minicamp at The Star.
After meetings and a dinner on Thursday, the players hit the grass for the first time on Friday for an hour-long practice alongside their new coaches and fellow rookie teammates. The group included No. 11 overall pick Caleb Downs -- who was wearing a No. 18 jersey as he continues to negotiate getting No. 2 from veteran Cobie Durant -- as he applied what he received last Friday when he retrieved his new playbook from defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
“I felt like it went well,” Downs said after the practice. “Just learning the system and being fully immersed in it, I feel like it was a good first day. I’m looking forward to doing more.”
While fellow first-round pick Malachi Lawrence may not have as much buzz around him as Downs has had over the last week, his physical presence demanded the attention of everyone on the field on Friday. As he heads into his first NFL season, he’s diving in head-first on a new pass-rush style he’ll take on in Dallas.
“It’s a more stand-up role, as of right now with what we’re doing,” Lawrence said. “Just some run techniques like shrugs, arm-overs. I’m working on staying aligned, so I have the same angle in pass that I do in run ... It’s been fun getting to learn a new playbook, new defense, new scheme kind of. I’m transitioning to more of an outside linebacker position than defensive end than I was at UCF in the 4-2-5. Learning the techniques, really.”
While the players can only do so much with a jersey, shorts and helmet on in practice, third-round pick Jaishawn Barham tried to make sure he left Friday with something, as he challenged a reporter to an Oklahoma drill during his press availability. It obviously didn’t happen, but Barham’s intensity was on full display regardless.
“I’m getting settled, I feel good,” Barham said. “New teammates, so building that chemistry and building that bond.”
The main point for most of the rookies -- since most are on the defensive side of the ball -- was getting with Parker to take on the challenges of the new defense in Dallas. Downs said he studied five or six NFL defenses during the draft process, and last year’s Eagles unit was one of them. With Parker bringing some of those ideologies to Dallas, it’s been easier for him to pick things up.
“Just watching some of the old games that he coached with the Eagles,” Downs said. “Watching their defense and then just looking at the install [plan] they gave us.”
“I’ve been mainly with [linebackers] Coach Scott [Symons] talking, but we had a defensive meeting today. [Parker] broke it down how he sees stuff and how he wants the game to be played. I think we’re still getting there and building that with Coach Parker. His team and mindset is there for the team, definitely.”
Here are the players participating in the rookie minicamp throughout the weekend:
- DB Caleb Downs (first-round pick)
- OLB Malachi Lawrence (first-round pick)
- LB Jaishawn Barham (third-round pick)
- CB Devin Moore (fourth-round pick)
- OT Drew Shelton (fourth-round pick)
- DL LT Overton (fourth-round pick)
- WR Anthony Smith (seventh-round pick)
- DT Tommy Dunn (undrafted free agent signing)
- WR Camden Brown (undrafted free agent signing)
- OL Sidney Fugar (undrafted free agent signing)
- DT Kelvin Gilliam (undrafted free agent signing)
- WR Jordan Hudson (undrafted free agent signing)
- LB Langston Patterson (undrafted free agent signing)
- OT Shiyazh Pete (undrafted free agent signing)
- RB Dominic Richardson (undrafted free agent signing)
- TE DJ Rogers (undrafted free agent signing)
- TE Michael Trigg (undrafted free agent signing)
- DT DJ Withers (undrafted free agent signing)
- LB Justin Barron (eligible second-year player)
- WR Traeshon Holden (eligible second-year player)
- OT Marcellus Johnson (eligible second-year player)
- DE Dayo Odeleye (eligible second-year player)
- LS Jacob Graham (tryout)
- OL Cole Hutson (tryout)
- QB Maverick McIvor (tryout)
- LB Monty Rice (tryout)
- RB Zach Switzer (tryout)
- OL DJ Wingfield (tryout)
