2026 NFL Draft Grade: Dallas Cowboys -- C+

The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2026 NFL Draft with clear priorities. The pre-draft evaluation pointed to linebacker as the team's most glaring weakness -- a group lacking a true every-down captain who could handle both run support and coverage. Safety and cornerback were right behind, with the potential free-agency departure of veteran safety Jalen Thompson threatening to leave a massive void in the secondary. Edge rusher and offensive tackle rounded out the list of areas needing attention, with the Cowboys' pass rush lacking a dominant alpha off the edge and the offensive line still in transition.

General manager Jerry Jones and new head coach Brian Schottenheimer had seven selections to work with, including some ammunition from trades that allowed the front office to move around the board. The result is a class that hits several high-priority spots but leaves real questions about value at key junctures. The overall haul earned a C+ (63.0) from the grading model -- a grade that reflects both the thrill of a third-round steal and the sting of multiple reaches.

Here is the pick-by-pick breakdown.

Pick 11 (Round 1) -- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Acquired via MIA Grade: B (70.0)

The Cowboys used the first of their two first-round selections to address one of their most pressing needs, grabbing Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Downs was widely regarded as one of the top safety prospects in the class, with most draft analysts pegging him as a top-10 talent. Landing him at pick 11 represents fair value for a player who can step into the secondary immediately.

With Jalen Thompson's future in Dallas uncertain, the Cowboys needed a versatile safety capable of playing both single-high and in-the-box roles in defensive coordinator Christian Parker's scheme. Downs brings that flexibility. He is a disciplined communicator who excels in coverage and is a reliable tackler in space. The safety room currently features Malik Hooker, P.J. Locke, Markquese Bell, and Jalen Thompson -- but the depth chart is thin behind the veterans. Downs steps into a situation where he can compete for a starting role from Day 1. This was a clean, sensible pick that fills a high-priority hole without reaching.

Pick 23 (Round 1) -- Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF Acquired via PHI Grade: C (56.0)

This is where the class gets interesting. The Cowboys traded into this slot to take Malachi Lawrence, an edge rusher from UCF. The need for pass-rush help is real -- the current edge rotation features Rashan Gary and Donovan Ezeiruaku as the primary starters, but the team lacks a true double-digit sack threat off the edge. Lawrence has the length and speed to develop into that kind of player.

That said, most pre-draft boards had Lawrence projected considerably later in the draft -- many evaluators saw him as a late-second to early-third-round prospect. Taking him at 23 was a significant reach from a value standpoint. The Cowboys passed on several higher-graded edge rushers who came off the board later, including Cashius Howell (Bengals at 41), Gabe Jacas (Patriots at 55), and R Mason Thomas (Chiefs at 40). The logic is obvious -- the team identified a clear hole at the position and prioritized filling it with a player they clearly had rated higher than the consensus. But from a pure value lens, this is a pick that will be scrutinized if Lawrence does not produce quickly. The grade reflects that tension: a need-filling pick that cost more draft capital than the market would have required.

Pick 92 (Round 3) -- Jaishawn Barham, EDGE, Michigan Acquired via SF Grade: A+ (100.0)

If the Malachi Lawrence pick was a reach, this one is the counterweight. The Cowboys traded into the middle of the third round to select Jaishawn Barham, an edge rusher out of Michigan, and the value here is outstanding. Barham was widely regarded as a top-75 prospect who slid due to the depth of the edge class. Most draft analysts had him in the early-to-mid third-round range, making him a steal at pick 92.

Barham brings a different skill set than Lawrence. He is a powerful, high-motor rusher who can set the edge against the run and generate interior pressure when kicked inside on passing downs. The Cowboys' edge room needed an infusion of youth and depth, and Barham represents a potential long-term starter. Getting this kind of talent in the third round -- especially after reaching for Lawrence in the first -- balances the books for this draft class. Barham was the best value pick of the Cowboys' entire haul and gives the defense a player who could push for immediate rotational snaps.

Pick 112 (Round 4) -- Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State Grade: D (43.0)

The fourth round brought a mixed bag for Dallas. Drew Shelton, the offensive tackle from Penn State, was a reach here. Most boards had Shelton projected as a late-round or priority free-agent type, with a consensus ranking well outside the top 150. The Cowboys took him at 112, nearly 60 slots earlier than where the market valued him.

The need for offensive tackle depth is real -- the current depth chart features Terence Steele, Tyler Guyton, Ajani Cornelius, and Marcellus Johnson, but the long-term bookends are not solidified. Shelton has the length and athletic profile to develop, but this was a significant overdraft for a player who likely would have been available later. When the Cowboys passed on higher-graded offensive tackles like Travis Burke, Carver Willis, and J.C. Davis -- all of whom went later in the draft -- the value gap becomes hard to ignore.

Pick 114 (Round 4) -- Devin Moore, CB, Florida Acquired via ATL via PHI Grade: B (73.0)

The Cowboys bounced back in a big way with their second fourth-round selection. Devin Moore, the cornerback from Florida, was widely projected in this range and represented solid value at pick 114. The cornerback room needed an infusion of talent after the departure of Trevon Diggs, with DaRon Bland, Cohie Durant, and Caelen Carson currently leading the depth chart. Moore brings press-man coverage skills and the physicality that Parker's scheme demands from the position. He is a fluid athlete with good ball skills who can compete for the nickel role early in his career. This was a clean, value-conscious pick that addressed a medium-tier need without forcing the issue.

Pick 137 (Round 4) -- LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama Compensatory Pick (From PHI) Grade: C (56.0)

The Cowboys doubled down on edge rusher in the fourth round, taking LT Overton out of Alabama. Overton was a highly-touted recruit who never quite reached his ceiling in Tuscaloosa, but the traits are still there. He is a long, powerful defender who can play multiple spots along the defensive line.

The value question is similar to the Lawrence pick. Most boards had Overton as a late-round or undrafted prospect, with a consensus ranking well outside the top 150. Taking him at 137 represents another reach, though less egregious given the compensatory pick nature of the selection. The Cowboys clearly prioritized filling the edge room with multiple swings, and Overton's physical tools give him a developmental ceiling that could justify the pick down the road. For now, it is a gamble on traits versus production.

Pick 218 (Round 7) -- Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina Acquired via TEN Grade: D (43.0)

The Cowboys closed out their draft with a seventh-round flier on wide receiver Anthony Smith from East Carolina. Smith was a late-round projection who brings size and contested-catch ability to a receiver room already loaded with talent -- CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens form one of the league's best tandems, with Jonathan Mingo, KaVontae Turpin, and Ryan Flournoy providing depth.

The grade is low here because Smith was taken significantly earlier than most evaluators had him ranked, even accounting for the late-round variance. The Cowboys passed on other wide receivers who went later and had stronger pre-draft grades. In the seventh round, however, the margin for error is thin, and these picks are often lottery tickets. Smith will need to earn his spot on special teams to stick on the roster.

Overall Grade: C+ (63.0)

The best pick of this class is clearly Jaishawn Barham in the third round. Getting a player of his caliber at pick 92 represents the kind of value that can transform a draft grade. Barham has the tools to become a core rotational piece and potential starter for a defense that needed edge depth. The worst pick from a value standpoint is Drew Shelton in the fourth round, where the Cowboys reached nearly 60 slots ahead of the market consensus for a developmental tackle.

The class did address the team's high-priority needs. Edge rusher was a clear hole, and the Cowboys took three swings -- Malachi Lawrence, Jaishawn Barham, and LT Overton. Safety was a critical need, and Caleb Downs provides a long-term answer at the position. Cornerback got a solid addition in Devin Moore. The misses were on value -- the Lawrence and Shelton picks cost more capital than the market demanded, and the late-round selections did not provide much surplus value.

Overall, this is a C+ class. It is not a home run, but it is not a disaster either. The Cowboys added multiple players who can contribute immediately on defense, and the Barham pick alone gives fans reason for optimism. If Lawrence develops into the pass-rusher the team believes he can be, this grade could look conservative. If the reaches do not pan out, the Cowboys will have left value on the board. For now, the verdict is solid but unspectacular.

Pick-by-Pick Summary