Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft tracker: Full list of picks, roster needs, targets, and more

Following another subdued free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have put themselves in an unenviable position for the 2026 NFL Draft.

Having said that, this roster didn't need a complete makeover this offseason, and Dallas has plenty of draft capital to launch itself into contention. It won’t be easy, but if the Cowboys come away with three or four immediate starters, it’s easy to envision them challenging for the NFC East crown next season.

The Cowboys have found themselves at the center of the draft’s biggest trade rumors, with multiple experts projecting a move up from No. 12. It sets the stage for one of Dallas’ more entertaining drafts in recent memory, so consider this your hub for everything Cowboys-related during the three-day showcase.

Cowboys free agency snapshot
Draft pick tracker
Updated Cowboys depth chart
NFC East rival draft picks

Cowboys free agency snapshot

Current draft capital: Picks No. 12, No. 23, No. 92, No. 112, No. 114, No. 137, No. 152, No. 218
Primary needs: Linebacker, edge rusher, cornerback, safety
Latest selection: Jaishawn Barham
Last updated: 10:00 pm ET, April 25, 2026

Even without a second-round pick, the Cowboys have the requisite ammunition to dominate this draft. Saddled with picks No. 12 and 20 overall in Round 1, they should be able to add two impact players for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

This year’s class is deep enough at edge rusher and cornerback that Dallas shouldn’t feel pressured to force either position in the first round. This is a draft where positional value can take a backseat. The Cowboys trusted their board last year, and it landed them Tyler Booker, who already looks like a star in the making at right guard.

Draft pick tracker

Pick	Player
12	Caleb Downs
23	Malachi Lawrence
92	Jaishawn Barham
112	Drew Shelton
114	Devin Moore
137	LT Overton
218	Anthony Smith

No. 12 pick: Caleb Downs, SAF, Ohio State

The Cowboys pulled off the steal of the NFL Draft. That's not hyperbole. The No. 5 player on the consensus board and the No. 1 player on many experts' big board, getting Downs all the way at No. 12 is highway robbery.

Say what you will about positional value. Downs is so much more than a safety. With the ability to impact the game at all three levels, he fits Christian Parker's defense like a glove. The centerpiece of excellent Alabama and Ohio State defenses, Downs is the alpha that Dallas desperately needed.

No. 23 pick: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, Central Florida

The Lawrence to Dallas buzz really heated up in recent weeks, with Cowboys reporter Jon Machota of The Athletic and ESPN insider Peter Schrager mocking the former UFC star to the Cowboys in their final predictive mock drafts.

While Lawrence has to grow as a run defender and might have limited snaps as a rookie as he transitions to the speed of the NFL, Christian Parker is likely already designing third-down packages for Lawrence to pin his ears back and rush the passer. He was a reach based on the consensus board, but he has one of the highest ceilings of any edge rusher in the class.

No. 92 pick: Jaishawn Barham, OLB, Michigan

The Cowboys got excellent value in Barham, who was the No. 69 player on the expert consensus board. While the former Wolverine is more of a tweener and a jack-of-all-trades than a stud at one position, his versatility will only help unlock Christian Parker' scheme.

Despite being a third-round pick, Barham has a real chance to become a key contributor as a rookie. He’s the type of chess piece Parker can weaponize across the defensive front.

No. 112 pick: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State

The Cowboys are one of the best teams in the NFL when it comes to drafting offensive linemen. A big reason for that is that they draft one or two every single year. Enter Drew Shelton.

Shelton played every position on the OL in college with the exception of center. That included 1,575 snaps at left tackle, which was the second-most in the Big Ten, per ESPN. He offers immediate swing tackle versatility, and could push Tyler Guyton for the starting left tackle job if he puts together a strong offseason program.

No. 114 pick: Devin Moore, CB, Florida

It took until Day 3, but the Cowboys finally drafted a cornerback. At 6'3" and 198 pounds, Moore is a monster for his position. Taller cornerbacks normally have trouble with speed, but the former Gator is as quick as any CB in the class.

Moore doesn't have the same versatility as Downs and Barham, but he has the potential to be a starting outside cornerback if he stays healthy. He underwent groin surgery in December, but was able to participate in the pre-draft process.

No. 137 pick: LT Overton, DL, Alabama

A projected late Day 2 pick, the Cowboys did well to snag Overton in the middle of the third round. He played a lot off the edge at Alabama, but at 287 pounds and after running a 4.87 40-yard dash, his future might be as an interior defender.

The Cowboys needed someone to fill the void left by Osa Odighizuwa. As long as Overton puts on some weight this offseason, he'll be the requisite size to play the 4i or 5-technique.

No. 218 pick: Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina

If Smith can carve out a role on special teams, he may have a chance to make the 53-man roster. Everyone knows how great the Cowboys' WR room is, but it gets very thin behind CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Ryan Flournoy.

With a 4.40 40-yard dash during the pre-draft process and over 1,000 receiving yards in his final season at ECU, Smith has the skillset to take the top off a defense.

Updated Cowboys depth chart

Offense

QB: Dak Prescott, Joe Milton, Sam Howell,
RB: Javonte Williams, Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue Hunter Luepke
WR: CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, Jonathan Mingo, KaVontae Turpin
TE: Jake Ferguson, Brevyn Spann-Ford, Luke Schoonmaker
OL: Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker, Terence Steele, T.J. Bass, Nate Thomas, Ajani Cornelous

You're looking at one of the NFL's best offenses. The unit doesn't need much, though another running back certainly couldn't hurt. It was evident that Javonte Williams didn't break as many tackles in the final month of the season.

A lesser workload would help keep him fresh, making it easy to justify taking a running back early on Day 3, where the Cowboys have five selections.

Defense

IDL: Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, Otito Ogbonnia, Jonathan Bullard, LT Overton
EDGE: Rashan Gary, Donovan Ezeiruaku, James Houston, Malachi Lawrence, Sam Williams
LB: DeMarvion Overshown, Dee Winters (trade), Jaishawn Barham
CB: DaRon Bland, Caleb Downs, Shavon Revel Jr., Cobie Durant, Caelen Carson
S: Jalen Thompson, Caleb Downs, Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke

Well, this looks a lot better than it did before Thursday.

The selection of Downs changes the outlook of the defense overnight. A savant in zone coverage and often the smartest player on the field in college, Downs could be a franchise-changing draft pick for the Cowboys.

Christian Parker is going to use Downs everywhere. He'll likely start in the nickel, which fortifies a cornerback position that isn't exactly flush with talent, while moonlighting as a box safety and other positions in the defensive backfield, depending on the play call.

Lawrence, meanwhile, brings much-needed pass-rushing juice off the edge. The same can be said about Barham, though it sounds like the Cowboys want to start him as an off-ball linebacker and moonlight him as an edge rusher in certain packages.

NFC East rival draft picks

New York Giants

Round 1, Pick 5: Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
Round 1, Pick 10: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami
Round 2, Pick 37: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Round 3, Pick 74: Malachi Fields, WR Notre Dame
Round 6, Pick 186: Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT, Auburn
Round 6, Pick 192: J.C. Davis, OL, Illinois
Round 6, Pick 193: Jack Kelly, LB, BYU

Much like the Cowboys with Downs, the Giants got one of the draft's best players with Reese, who the Jets surprisingly passed on for David Bailet with the No. 2 pick. Not many expected John Harbaugh to pass on Downs twice, but Reese, Brian Burns, and Abdul Carter are going to be a problem in the NFC East for a long time.

The Giants are a rival, but they've had a really nice draft. Hood, a player Dallas really liked, is a physical press-man corner who doesn't give an inch after the catch, and isn't afraid to get his nose dirty against the run.

New York traded back into the third round for Fields. At 6'4" and 218 pounds, Fields gives the G-Men a physical receiver to complement Malik Nabers.

Washington Commanders

Round 1, Pick 7: Sonnny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Round 3, Pick 71: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson
Round 5, Pick 147: Joshua Josephs, EDGE, Tennessee
Round 6, Pick 187: Kaytron Allen, RB, Penn State
Round 7, Pick 209: Matt Gulbin, C, Michigan State
Round 7, Pick 223: Athan Kaliakmais, QB, Rutgers

Like Reese, it's not going to be fun facing Sonny Styles twice a year. That said, given all of the Commanders' needs, selecting an off-ball linebacker at No. 7 was an odd choice. In addition to Downs, Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson was also available.

Styles is a good player, but we'd be more wary of Washington had they taken Downs or landed one of the top receivers.

Speaking of receiver, the Commanders grabbed Williams in the middle of Round 3. One of many Clemson players whose draft stock cratered in a down year for the program, Williams is comfortable operating out wide or inside and can make plays after the catch.

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 1, Pick No. 20: Maki Lemon, WR, USC
Round 2, Pick No. 54: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Round 3, Pick No. 68: Markel Bell, OT, Miami
Round 5, Pick No. 178: Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
Round 6, Pick 207: Micah Morris, G, Georgia
Round 7, Pick 244: Cole Wisniewski, SAF, Texas Tech
Round 7, No. 251: Uar Bernard, DT, International Player Pathway program
Round 7, No. 252: Keyshawn James-Newby, Edge, New Mexico

The Eagles and Cowboys once again made a trade on draft night. Hot after Makai Lemon, Philadelphia sent pick No. 23 and 2026 fourth-round picks to Dallas to draft the former Trojan, all but confirming that A.J. Brown will be traded after June 1.

Stowers could be the Eagles' long-term replacement for Dallas Goedert. He was the John Mackey Award recipient as the nation's top tight end last season.

Bell, meanwhile, is a towering 6'9" and 346 pounds with 36.38-inch arms. With Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson both contemplating retirement in the offseason before confirming their returns, it was no surprise to see Philly address its offensive line on Day 2.

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