The 2026 NFL draft has come to an end, and the Dallas Cowboys eased most fans’ fears with what most believe is an impressive haul. It began with an amazing duo in the first round, and the team continued their heater with a great final two days.
Conventional wisdom says one must wait three years to evaluate a draft, but the initial grades for the Cowboys in this draft are high. Instead of drafting the class, this exercise assign a grade to each of the individual seven picks. Here’s how the Cowboys made out in the 2026 draft.
If he wasn’t the consensus top player on most teams’ draft boards, he was surely near the top. Only positional value stopped Downs from being selected higher, which became the Cowboys’ gain.
One head coach earlier today on new Cowboys S Caleb Downs: "Vegas odds on the guy with the best chance to get a gold jacket, it's Downs." https://t.co/CbmZClldXf
Getting one of the best prospects in the draft outside the top 10 is a home run and the team got what they desperately needed, a nickelback to help an ailing pass defense. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker gets his chess piece in Downs.
There was no better pick the for the Cowboys in this draft than Downs.
The Cowboys needed another pass rusher to help a group that struggled to get to the quarterback last season and Lawrence was a fast riser in the draft process. Lawrence’s athleticism, speed and power saw him turn into one of the best edge rushers in the draft, with room to grow.
He’s also one of the most polished edge prospects, employing an array of pass-rushing moves, it should allow him to make an immediate impact on a Dallas defense that was unable to bring the QB down last year.
Drafting Lawrence was a great get, but fleecing the rival Philadelphia Eagles out of two fourth-round picks in the process adding icing on the cake.
Dallas continued to address their defense when they selected Barham, a versatile defender who continues to ascend as an edge rusher. Barham also brings skills as a linebacker, far more developed than his pass rush talent currently is. That's the position where he will begin his career with the Cowboys, according to Brian Schottenheimer.
The incredible closing speed and athleticism of Barham are obvious, and his run-stopping grade is just as impressive.
#Cowboys EDGE/LB Jaishawn Barham had a 90.4 PFF run grade last season.
Once his pass rushing skills catch up with the rest of his game, the Cowboys could have unearthed a gem in the third round.
The Cowboys have two starting tackles and a decent swing tackle, but Shelton’s selection makes it clear they could be looking for an upgrade for all three players. Shelton started 34 games while at Penn State, and gave up just one sack last season.
Needs at other positions knocks the pick down a bit, but if Shelton takes the swing tackle gig from Nathan Thomas as a rookie, it will make this pick useful. If he shocks and competes for a starting gig, like former UDFA right tackle Terence Steele did years ago, it would be a shocking upside.
It has been an offseason where the team has collected veteran cornerbacks like candy, so the team needed to draft a young option. Moore has experience in all schemes and was a dominant force for the Florida Gators, excelling against the pass as well as the run.
Only SEC Cornerback with 80+ Coverage & Run Defense Grades Last Season:🐊 Devin Moore, Florida@GatorsFB pic.twitter.com/4xTe3HHafK
The size and coverage skills are there for Moore, but he does have health concerns, missing 20 games over the course of his college career. However, he did start all 11 games last season, even though he had some minor issues this offseason.
If he stays healthy, the Cowboys have a player many considered to be a top-tier prospect based on talent alone. Grabbing this type of player in the fourth round is a much better look than their normal second-round excursions.
The Cowboys craved versatility with their draft picks and Overton fits that bill as well. He was a defensive end at Alabama, finishing with seven sacks and 12 tackles for a loss last season, but he’s also a good run-stopper who can set the edge playing with leverage and power.