Cowboys' Defensive Boost: 2026 NFL Draft Round 1

On April 24th, the 2026 NFL Drafts first round delivered as expected of top with the

raider snagging Indiana quarterback Fernando, Mendoza and number one.

But then it got wild, eight trays on Thursday night flipped the script, forcing teams to

scramble on shorter clocks with some head scratching, selections, Cowboys jumped into the

mix twice, trading up one spot to grab Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs at pick 11, then

sliding back three for central.

Florida edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at 23, both defensive studs long linked to Dallas

in Mox.

Those swaps with the dolphins in Eagles cost two fifth rounders and a seventh, but picked

up fourth round ammo, leaving the Cowboys with seven total, selections instead of eight.

Per the Jimmy Johnson Trey chart, their halls value climb from 2,326 points to 2,300,

46.1.

Fans are buzzing about the defensive boost for a Cowboys squad needing backfield bite,

especially after those mocked fits landed right in their lap.

Amid the chaos, day two kicks off with the Cowboys sitting at third round pick 92, plus

a trio of force ahead, flinny of room for more moves at six rounds, unfold and the board

keeps shifting.