Cowboys' Draft: Rebuilding Defense with Rookies

On April 27, the Dallas Cowboys just wrapped up the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear mission,

rebuild that leaky defense after a rough.

Seven win, nine loss, one tie season, they burned six of their seven picks on defensive

players, kicking things off with a gutsy trade-up to number 11 for Ohio State Safety.

Caleb Downs, the Jim Thorpe Award winner, and a lockdown all-American.

Earlier this week in Pittsburgh, they shipped their number 12 pick plus two fifth rounders

to Miami to snag Downs, who shocked everyone by sliding.

Therefore, then they flipped back from number 20 to grab UCF pass rusher Lawrence in

the first, a dude with seven sacks and explosive moves straight out the big 12.

Fans and scouts are buzzing about how this shores of a secondary and edge their ranked

near the bottom in past defense last year.

Aaron's Jason Barham in round three adds more heat up front with four sacks, while

Alabama's L.T. Overton brings rugged power to the line, and that physical corner, the

ante more, from wherever he balled out, fits the aggressive vibe.

They sprinkled in some offense, too, snagging athletic left tackle Shelton to bulk up the

line and East Carolina Speedster, Anthony Smith, as a deep.

Threat with over a thousand yards last season.

Here from the Cowboys is this, Hall sets up a faster, meaner defense for 2026, and

if these rookies click, Dallas could bounce back.

Strong no more excuses on that back end.