The Dallas Cowboys, who can be prone to surprising fans with odd decisions in the NFL Draft, can hold their heads high as they try to improve their defense and re-establish themselves as a contender in the NFC.
The Cowboys not only managed to check off many of their biggest need boxes in this Draft, but they did so while also getting solid value when they picked. Jerry Jones and Will McClay managed to generally knock it out of the park.
As is the case with any competition like this, however, the Cowboys did make a few picks that clearly stand out as the cream of the crop.
Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft awards after solid Caleb Downs-led class
Best Pick: Caleb Downs
Downs being available when the Cowboys were going to pick is a minor miracle, as it's not an exaggeration to say that they landed an immediate 10-year starter. Downs, who was ranked No. 2 on FanSided's interactive Big Board, should be the biggest piece in Dallas' new-look secondary under head coach Christian Parker.
Worst Pick: Malachi Lawrence
Lawrence is by no means a bad selection, especially after trading down to select him, but he may have been the biggest reach Dallas went forward with in the Draft. Pass rushers like Texas A&M's Cashius Howell and Clemson's TJ Parker were still on the board, and Lawrence's concerns in defending the run may end up aging poorly.
Biggest Wild Card: Jaishawn Barham
Barham plays like a lesser version of Arvell Reese, though there are some pitfalls associated with this style. The Cowboys may want to use him as an inside linebacker who kicks to the edge on passing downs. However, if he doesn't develop properly, there's a good chance he ends up as half a linebacker and half an edge rusher, never thriving at either spot.
Biggest Need: Inside linebacker
The addition of Dee Winters was a nice bit of business for Dallas, but he only has one year of high-end production. With DeMarvion Overshown's health still a question, they are one injury or Winters regression away from being forced to play someone like Barham as a full-time inside linebacker.
Grade: A-
The Cowboys knew this had to be a defense-heavy draft, and they wisely spent most of their capital on these areas of need. The Downs pick was so good it's hard to knock this below an A- mark, though it could jump to A if Lawrence ends up justifying the reach and making an impact on passing downs.
Add us as a preferred source on Google