For the past two seasons, after defensive coordinator Dan Quinn jumped ship to become the head coach of the Washington Commanders, the Dallas Cowboys have had one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
In 2024, with Mike Zimmer at DC, America's Team ranked 28th in total yards allowed per game (355.2) and 31st in scoring. And this past year, with Matt Eberflus running the show, Dallas ranked 30th in total yards allowed per game (377.0) and dead last in scoring (30.1).
Now, only time will tell how the upcoming 2026 campaign will go with Christian Parker at the helm, but Jerry Jones certainly got his new DC some young talent to work with in the opening round of this past week's draft, first selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall and then following up at No. 23 overall by taking UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.
The Cowboys added more defensive help over the next couple of days in Michigan defensive end Jaishawn Barham (Round 3, No. 92 overall), Florida cornerback Devin Moore (Round 4, No. 114 overall), and Alabama defensive end LT Overton (Round 4, No. 137 overall), but Downs and Lawrence are clearly the big prizes here, and NFL oddsmakers seem to think so as well, as both are among the top eight in the early odds for 2026 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Dallas Cowboys draft picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence both have solid early DROY odds
Here's a quick look at the top 10 in the DROY odds, which is actually a top 11, as Miami Dolphins linebacker Jacob Rodriguez and Indianapolis Colts linebacker CJ Allen are tied for 10th.
Player | Position | Team | DROY Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
David Bailey | EDGE | New York Jets | +450 |
Rueben Bain Jr. | EDGE | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +550 |
Arvell Reese | EDGE | New York Giants | +650 |
Caleb Downs | S | Dallas Cowboys | +750 |
Sonny Styles | LB | Washington Commanders | +750 |
Mansoor Delane | CB | Kansas City Chiefs | +1000 |
Akheem Mesidor | EDGE | Los Angeles Chargers | +1600 |
Malachi Lawrence | EDGE | Dallas Cowboys | +1800 |
Dillon Thieneman | S | Chicago Bears | +2000 |
Jacob Rodriguez | LB | Miami Dolphins | +2200 |
CJ Allen | LB | Indianapolis Colts | +2200 |
As you can see, Downs, who many believe to be the top overall player in this entire 2026 draft class, sits in a tie for fourth at +750 alongside his Ohio State teammate turned division rival, Washington Commanders linebacker Sonny Styles.
Those two trail only a trio of edge rushers in the New York Jets' David Bailey, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Rueben Bain Jr., and yet another Buckeye who wound up in the NFC East in the New York Giants' Arvell Reese.
This award typically doesn't favor defensive backs, as only three have won it this century, none of whom were safeties. The last safety to win DROY was Mark Carrier of the Chicago Bears back in 1990.
As for Lawrence, who was one of just seven FBS players in the entire country to record at least 5.0 sacks in each of the last three years, he sits down in solo eighth at +1800, just below Los Angeles Chargers edge Akheem Mesidor and just above Bears safety Dillon Thieneman.
Two players in the top eight before the season even gets started certainly isn't a common occurrence. Is it September yet?
All betting odds courtesy of DraftKings. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. The content in this article should not be considered betting advice. Gambling involves risk, and one should only gamble with funds that one can comfortably afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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