The Dallas Cowboys are continuing to rebuild after two straight playoff misses. Their draft strategy in 2026 centered around improving the defense after last-place finishes in various categories.
Safety Caleb Downs was the centerpiece of their haul, going off the board 11th overall. Jerry Jones then traded down with the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles to nab an edge rusher in Malachi Lawrence. In fact, of the Cowboys’ seven picks, only two turned into offensive players: tackle Drew Shelton and wide receiver Anthony Smith, both taken in Day 3.
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Outside of the draft, there were also some intriguing players who were signed as free agents.
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List of Dallas Cowboys UDFAs after 2026 NFL draft
- DJ Rogers, TE, TCU
- Jordan Hudson, WR, SMU
- Camden Brown, WR, Georgia Southern
- Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor
- Kelvin Gilliam, DT, Virginia Tech
- Dominic Richardson, RB, Tulsa
- Sidney Fugar, OT, Baylor
- Shiyazh Pete, OT, Kentucky
Michael Trigg has arguably the most upside of this group. He had been mocked as high as the third round by some experts, so seeing him within this group is quite surprising. The depth of his positional corps may work agaisnt him, though.
Jordan Hudson is a proud native of the Metroplex, having attended high school in Garland before committing to TCU in Fort Worth in 2022. He then transferred to SMU in University Park a year later and played a key role in the Mustangs’ revival after years of suffering the aftereffects of the “death penalty” in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Both Camden Brown and Dominic Richardson shone in Group of Five programs, hitting at least 1,000 offensive yards in 2025 — a hint towards their potential as key playmakers. Meanwhile, Sidney Fugat and Shiyazh Pete provide depth to an offensive line that revolves its starting core of Tyler Guyton, Terence Steele, Tyler Smith, Tyler Booker and Cooper Beebe.
Dallas Cowboys 2020 draft recap
- Round 1, Pick 11: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
- Round 1, Pick 23: EDGE Malachi Lawrence, UCF
- Round 3, Pick 92: EDGE Jaishawn Barton, Michigan
- Round 4, Pick 112: OT Drew Shelton, Penn State
- Round 4, Pick 114: DI/EDGE LT Overton, Alabams
- Round 4, Pick 137: WR Anthony Smith, East Carolina
Edited by Andre Castillo
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