The Dallas Cowboys entered Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mandate: find value, add competition, and don't reach. After a busy first two days that saw the team address wide receiver and linebacker with their premium selections, the front office got to work on Saturday with four picks in Rounds 4 through 7. They made the most of the first two, landing a potential long-term solution at offensive tackle and a sticky-handed cornerback with starting upside.
With the 112th overall pick, the Cowboys grabbed Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton. Just a few picks later, at number 123, they added Florida cornerback Devin Moore. Both selections fit the Cowboys' traditional profile: high-character players from major programs who tested well enough and produced on tape, but maybe fell due to depth in the class or minor durability questions.
Let's break down what each addition means for the roster.
Drew Shelton: A Tackle for the Future
The Cowboys have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent years, and that trend continues with the selection of Shelton. At 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds, Shelton started 28 games over three seasons for the Nittany Lions, primarily at left tackle but with some work on the right side as well. That versatility is key for a Dallas team that likes to cross-train its linemen.
Shelton's game is built on fundamentals. He's not the most imposing athlete in the class, but he wins with technique, patience, and a nasty finishing mentality. In pass protection, he keeps his feet alive and his hands inside, rarely letting rushers get into his chest. In the run game, he shows the ability to drive-block at the second level and seal edges effectively. The knock on him coming out of college was a perceived lack of top-end athleticism, but he tested better than expected at his pro day, running a 5.08 40-yard dash with a 1.76 split.
The Cowboys' offensive line room has depth, but there is an opening for a swing tackle who can eventually develop into a starter. With the starting lineup currently set, Shelton will likely begin his career as a backup at both tackle spots, with a focus on learning the playbook and getting stronger in the weight room. The special teams coordinator will also get a look at him, as Shelton played on kickoff return and punt coverage units in college.
For a fourth-round pick, the Cowboys are getting a player who could easily outplay his draft slot if he stays healthy. Shelton's floor is a reliable swing tackle; his ceiling is a decade-long starter at right tackle. This is the kind of bet you want to make on Day 3.
Devin Moore: Ball Hawk from the Swamp
If Shelton is about steady, blue-collar work, Devin Moore is about flash and ball production. The Florida Gator cornerback started 22 games over three seasons and finished his college career with 8 interceptions and 18 pass breakups. In 2025 alone, he picked off 4 passes and returned one for a touchdown against Georgia.
Moore is a long, lean corner at 6-foot-1 with arms that measured over 32 inches. That length shows up on film: he excels at jamming receivers at the line and using his wingspan to break up passes in tight windows. He's also an aggressive run defender, which the Cowboys defensive backs coach always emphasizes. Moore isn't afraid to come downhill and stick his nose in the action, something that will endear him to the coaching staff quickly.
The knock on Moore is hip fluidity and recovery speed. He can get caught flat-footed on double moves, and his 40-yard dash time of 4.52 was decent but not elite. Against NFL route-runners, he'll need to tighten his footwork and trust his technique more than his raw athleticism. That's a development project, but it's exactly the kind of project an NFL team takes on in the fourth round.
For the Cowboys, Moore enters a cornerback room that projects to have three returning starters and a handful of young reserves. He'll battle for the fourth or fifth corner role immediately, with a clear path to playing time if he can prove reliable on special teams and in sub-packages. Given his ball-hawking track record, he's a candidate to see the field early as a dime corner or in goal-line situations.
Draft Strategy: Betting on Traits and Character
General Manager Will McClay and the scouting staff have a well-earned reputation for finding value on Day 3 of the draft. Shelton and Moore fit the mold: multi-year starters from competitive programs who were productive but not elite athletes. The Cowboys have historically fared well with these types, especially when the character checks come back clean.
Both players were team captains in college. Both have reputations as hard workers who love the game. Both tested well enough to project as eventual starters, but fell because of mild concerns--Shelton's athletic ceiling, Moore's recovery speed. The Cowboys bet that their coaching staff can maximize those traits while minimizing the weaknesses.
With two more picks remaining on Saturday, the Cowboys still have opportunities to address depth at running back, defensive line, and possibly another linebacker. But the fourth round was always going to be where this draft class took shape, and so far, the results are encouraging.
What This Means for the Roster
Shelton's selection essentially closes the book on any lingering talk about the Cowboys needing to add a tackle in free agency. Barring injury, he'll be the primary backup at both tackle spots, allowing the team to develop him without pressure. If he shows promise in training camp, he could push for a starting role as early as 2027, depending on the health of the current starters.
Moore's addition adds another body to a cornerback unit that values competition. The Cowboys' secondary has been retooled over the past two offseasons, and Moore brings a different flavor--length and physicality--that pairs well with the more finesse corners already on the roster. He'll need to prove he can handle the jump in speed and route complexity, but the raw ingredients are there.
In a draft class that already included a first-round wide receiver and a second-round linebacker, the Cowboys have now added an offensive lineman and a defensive back on Day 3. That's a balanced haul that addresses both the present and future needs of the roster.
The Bigger Picture
The 2026 NFL Draft is still unfolding, but the Cowboys' front office deserves credit for sticking to their board and not panicking. In a draft that was widely considered deep in the middle rounds, they identified two players who could realistically contribute as rookies while also carrying the potential to become long-term starters.
Drew Shelton and Devin Moore might not be household names today, but if the Cowboys' developmental track record holds, they could be key pieces on the next great Dallas team. For now, they're just two fourth-round picks with bright futures and everything to prove.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Cowboys continue their draft haul on Day 3.