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Cowboys trade twice, pick two defensive rookies tonight

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Frisco, Texas. The Dallas Cowboys traded during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night, moving up from No. 12 to No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and later trading their No. 20 pick to acquire No. 23 and select UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. Wednesday’s pre-draft news conference included owner Jerry Jones confirming trade interest, and the moves immediately address Dallas’s league-high defensive points allowed (30.1 per game last season). The transactions involved sending mid-round assets to Miami and Philadelphia; the new rookies will enter offseason programs while the team evaluates depth and remaining draft capital in the coming weeks.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

Wednesday pre-draft: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters the team had received trade calls.
Thursday evening: 2026 NFL Draft first round began; Dallas held picks No. 12 and No. 20.
Dallas traded pick No. 12 and two fifth-round picks to Miami to acquire No. 11.
At No. 11 Dallas selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Dallas traded pick No. 20 and a seventh-round pick to Philadelphia to acquire No. 23 and selected UCF’s Malachi Lawrence.

Why This Matters to You

The Cowboys' trades aim to strengthen their defense. If you're a fan, this could mean fewer nail-biting games next season. Keep an eye on the rookies' performance during offseason programs.

The Bottom Line

The Cowboys are making strategic moves to address their defensive issues. They're betting on rookies Downs and Lawrence to help reduce points allowed. Worth forwarding if you know a Cowboys fan who's been worried about their defense.