Cowboys Address Defense Twice in Round 1, Landing Safety Caleb Downs and Edge Rusher Malachi Lawrence

Cowboys get Downs, Lawrence in first round

FRISCO, Texas — Even in the disappointment of Ohio State's loss in the College Football Playoff last season, Caleb Downs couldn't help but peek at his NFL future.

2026 NFL Draft: Cowboys buck odds in Maverick-like fashion to land difference maker Caleb Downs

Elated Jerry Jones on Cowboys landing Downs: 'He was a prize for us sitting there'

Cowboys and Texans make their first-round picks in the NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans made key selections in the first round of the NFL Draft.The Cowboys traded up to pick 11 in round one to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Dallas desperately needs defense.The Cowboys then traded down to pick 23, drafting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.Meanwhile, the Houston Texans focused on the trenches. They used pick 28 on Georgia Tech offensive guard Keylan Rutledge.Round two of the NFL Draft is t…

Jerry Jones opens up on Cowboys’ aggressive move for Caleb Downs after trading No. 12 pick with Dolphins

Caleb Downs ended up going in the first round despite slipping out of the top-10 in this year's NFL draft. Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys traded up with the Miami Dolphins for the No.

Cowboys trade up to pick Caleb Downs 11th overall, take Lawrence at 23

The Cowboys fill a position of need with the first of two opening round selections.

Manual alum Malachi Lawrence picked 23rd overall by Dallas Cowboys in NFL Draft

A Louisville native and Manual alum was picked in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft Thursday night.