The Dallas Cowboys have finalized their 53-man roster ahead of the 2026 season, as the performances of their 2026 NFL Draft class certainly played a hand in warping the back end of this unit.
While the Cowboys should generally feel fairly well about how the youngsters have acclimated themselves, namely with some of the top picks looking like robust pro players, there are a few pain points that Brian Schottenheimer needs to keep an eye on.
With the preseason now officially in the past, which Cowboys rookies came out of that stretch better off, and which ones stumbled out of the blocks? Let's take a closer look and grade Dallas' rookie class, including Camden Brown, now that August is behind us.
Grading every Dallas Cowboys 2026 draft pick after preseason
Caleb Downs - DB
Downs was viewed as one of the steals of the draft when he fell to Dallas, and he has lived up to the hype so far. The former Ohio State star will most likely start in the nickel, but he's already a trusted defensive back who will line up all around Christian Parker's defense.
That is exactly the role that was envisioned for him. Don't expect Downs to be great right away, but his floor is as high as any rookie in the 2026 class.
Grade: A-
Malachi Lawrence - OLB
After proving himself in Pro Football Focus' eyes and making himself a nuisance off the edge both in training camp and the preseason, Lawrence appears to be more ready to make an impact as a rookie than some imagined.
It's unclear how big his role will be following the addition of Von Miller, but the arrow is pointing up on the former Central Florida standout. He barely saw the field in Dallas' final two preseason games, a strong indicator that the coaching staff thinks he's ready.
Grade: B
Jaishawn Barham - LB
What's more impressive? The fact that Barham has been receiving PFF grades over 90.0 in the preseason or the fact that he has been getting some run with the starters?
Barham drew comparisons to Arvell Reese in the pre-draft process, but it appears as though he is showcasing value as a traditional linebacker as well as a chess piece who can rush the passer both off the edge and as a stand-up off-ball linebacker.
Grade: A
Drew Shelton - OT
Shelton was so putrid in the preseason that cutting him would not have been the most shocking move in the world. Alas, the Cowboys kept him on the 53-man roster despite adding Broderick Jones (trade) and Wanya Worris (practice squad).
A fourth-round pick, Shelton still has great athletic ability, but the last few weeks have proven that he is entirely a developmental gamble who should not see the field at all in 2026.
Grade: D-
Devin Moore - CB
Moore has been placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will be out for the first four games of the season. While he hasn't lit it up when he has been healthy, Moore is a developmental player, and he could see the field when he returns to full strength.
The Florida product had returned from injury before going on IR. He took his lumps in the preseason, signifying that he isn't quite ready for regular-season action.
Grade: C
LT Overton - DL
The Cowboys appear to be deploying Overton as more of a defensive tackle than an edge rusher, which makes sense after a down year on the outside at Alabama. The late fourth-round pick, who had a sack in a preseason game against Arizona, has looked like a late fourth-rounder, giving him an inside track to a backup role on a deep defensive line.
Grade: B
Anthony Smith - WR
Smith did not make the 53-man roster, though the depth Dallas had at wide receiver made it difficult for him to break through. The seventh-rounder out of ECU showed impressive speed all summer, becoming a regular target on end-arounds and bubble screens.
The Cowboys signed Smith to their practice squad, so they clearly liked what they saw.
Grade: C-
Camden Brown - WR
Brown was one of the stars of the preseason, showing great verticality and speed for someone his size, and he was rewarded with a 53-man roster spot.
Brown overcame immense odds to do this, especially since he was the only undrafted player to make Dallas' initial 53-man grouping. He led Dallas in receiving in August to put a bow on one of the Cowboys' more feel-good summer stories in recent memory.
Grade: A
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