The Cowboys traded up to No. 11 on Thursday night, swapping spots with the Dolphins, to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and bolster a secondary that desperately needed help last season.
Miami moved down one spot to No. 12 and received fifth-round picks (No. 177 and No. 180) in one of the draft’s first big moves.
Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs poses after being chosen by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. AP Dallas’ trade came after the Giants passed on Downs at No. 10 — their second first-round pick — to select Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
Downs played one season at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he made two All-American teams and received Heisman Trophy votes during his junior season last year.
The Cowboys also hold the 20th pick in the first round, which they acquired from the Packers in the blockbuster Micah Parsons trade last fall.
The Dolphins used the 12th pick on Alabama offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor.
The trade was the second of the first round after the Chiefs made a deal with the Browns to move up to No. 6 and take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane.
Dallas finished below .500 for the second straight season last year and allowed the most points per game (30.1) in the NFL.
Earlier Thursday, news broke that star wide receiver George Pickens intended to sign the franchise tag with the Cowboys despite the lack of a long-term deal.
