Cowboys address defense twice in Round 1, landing safety Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence
The Dallas Cowboys opened their draft by selecting Caleb Downs, a safety from Ohio State, with the No. 11 pick on Thursday night.
Dallas entered the night holding picks No. 12 and No. 20, a rare opportunity for a franchise that hasn't selected twice in the first round in more than a decade.
The Cowboys moved up one spot by sending the Dolphins the 12th overall pick along with two fifth‑round selections – Nos. 177 and 180 – to secure Downs.
Dallas later pivoted and traded down from No. 20 overall, dealing the pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the No. 23 pick and two fourth‑round selections.
At No. 23 overall, Dallas followed that move by selecting Malachi Lawrence, an edge rusher out of Central Florida, staying put and using its second first‑rounder to address another priority area on the roster.
Defensive help expected early for Dallas
Team officials have signaled for weeks that this draft is about volume as much as star power. With multiple roster needs and limited cap flexibility, the Cowboys positioned themselves to either land two impact players or use one of the picks to add more selections.
Scouting chatter around the league consistently linked Dallas to defensive help early, particularly a versatile, high‑IQ defender capable of anchoring the back end of the scheme.
About Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs might be the best defensive player in this draft, and the only reason he was still available for Dallas at No. 11 is the league's long‑standing tendency to undervalue the safety position.
But the 6‑foot, 206‑pound Downs is far more than a traditional safety. The Cowboys view him as the "quarterback" of their defense - a potential face‑of‑the‑franchise player with the versatility to impact every level of the field.
Downs arrived in Dallas with one of the most complete résumés in college football. He started 14 games as a true freshman under Nick Saban at Alabama, then transferred to Ohio State after Saban's retirement. Over two seasons with the Buckeyes, he started 30 games and helped lead them to the 2024 national championship.
Highly intelligent and mature beyond his 21 years, Downs gives defensive coordinator Christian Parker a movable chess piece similar to how Parker deployed Cooper DeJean in Philadelphia. In Cowboys terms, the comparison many inside the building make is Darren Woodson.
Downs is a rare safety who covers like a cornerback, tackles like a linebacker, and blitzes like an edge rusher. Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia - a longtime Bill Belichick protégé - calls him "one of the smartest players I've ever coached."
About Malachi Lawrence
Malachi Lawrence is a 6‑foot‑4, 260‑pound edge rusher who steadily developed at UCF, finishing his career as a first‑team All‑Big 12 selection and one of the program's top sack producers. He totaled 20 career sacks, recording at least five in each of his final three seasons, and peaked in 2025 with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.
According to CBS Sports, Lawrence brings many of the physical and stylistic traits teams look for at the position, including a high‑effort, violent style of play, long arms, and the ability to win with either speed or power. The evaluation also notes areas for development, including a lean frame that could benefit from added strength and some inconsistency from game to game.
Lawrence projects as a rotational edge defender early in his NFL career, with upside to grow into a larger role as his technique and play strength continue to develop.
More on the Cowboys' draft approach
Analysts have noted that this year's class offers strong value in the 20–40 range, fueling speculation that Dallas could explore a trade down from No. 20 if the board breaks their way.
This outlook is based on themes from Bill Jones' Big Green NFL Draft Scouting Notebook, which highlights the Cowboys' emphasis on intelligence, versatility, and maturity on defense, as well as their need to add more top‑100 picks to address multiple roster holes. Jones also notes that the depth in this part of the draft makes a trade down a realistic option for a team focused on building volume rather than chasing a single star.
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NFL DRAFT - 1ST ROUND
1. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana - Raiders
2. David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech - Jets
3. Jeremiyah Love RB, Notre Dame - Cardinals
4. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State - Titans
5. Avrell Reese, Edge, Ohio State - Giants
6. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU - Chiefs
7. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State - Commanders
8. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State - Saints
9. Spencer Fano, OT, Utah - Browns
10. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami - Giants
11. Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State - Cowboys
12. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama - Dolphins
13. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama - Rams
14. Olaivavega Ioane, IOL, Penn State - Ravens
15. Rueben Bain Jr. Edge, Miami - Buccaneers
16. Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon - Jets
17. Blake Miller, OT, Clemson - Lions
18. Caleb Banks, DL, Florida - Vikings
19. Monroe Freeling, OT, UGA - Panthers
20. Makai Lemon, WR, USC - Eagles
21. Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State - Steelers
22. Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami - Chargers
23. Malachi Lawrence, Edge, Central Florida - Cowboys
24. KC Concepcion WR, Texas A&M - Browns
25. Dillon Thieneman S, Oregon - Bears
26. Keylan Rutledge IOL, Georgia Tech - Texans
27. Chris Johnson CB, San Diego State - Dolphins
28. Caleb Lomu OT, Utah - Patriots
29. Peter Woods DL, Clemson - Chiefs
30. Omar Cooper Jr. WR, Indiana - Jets
31. Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn - Titans
32. Seahawks
