To a lot of pundits and fans, the Dallas Cowboys have sat on their hands in certain situations where they could have made their roster better the past couple offseasons. Whether that’s true or not is up for debate. But Sharp Football’s Brendan Donahue predicted the Cowboys to be aggressive in the 2026 NFL Draft with an opportunity to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
With other top defensive prospects flying off the board in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft, Donahue projected the Cowboys to trade up to No. 9 for Downs.
“The Cowboys see the top-tier defensive players that they are targeting being selected and decide not to take any more chances,” wrote Donahue. “Many feel that Downs would be a perfect fit under new DC Christian Parker, and Dallas is having him in for a top-30 visit, which is a good indicator they have serious interest in Downs.”
To land Downs, Donahue pitched the Cowboys trade both of their 2026 first-round picks to the Kansas City Chiefs. Those selections are No. 12 and 20 overall.
In return, the Cowboys landed the No. 9, 29 and 148 overall selections.
Essentially, the Cowboys moved back nine spots in the second half of the first round. That allowed them to jump up three spots into the top 10 in the hypothetical deal.
By doing so, the Cowboys also gained a fifth-round pick from the Chiefs in Donahue’s proposal.
What the Cowboys Would Get With Caleb Downs
GettyAnalysts expect Ohio State safety Caleb Downs to be a top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With less than two weeks until the 2026 NFL Draft, Downs is a consensus top 10 pick. Experts also consider him the top safety in the 2026 class.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Downs as the No. 6 prospect in the class. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has Downs placed at No. 9 on his big board.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein predicted Downs to “become good starter within two years.”
“Productive, high-effort safety with three years of starting experience in big games at Alabama and Ohio State,” wrote Zierlein. “Downs is an alpha who brings immense juice on each snap.
“Downs isn’t the biggest, fastest or most versatile player, but he consistently puts his stamp on games.”
Downs led the SEC in solo tackles as a freshman at Alabama in 2023. The past two seasons, Downs made the All-American team while playing at Ohio State.
In 2025, he registered 68 combined tackles, including five tackles for loss. He also had two pass defenses, two interceptions, two forces fumbles and a sack in 14 games.
Why the Cowboys Could Trade Up for a Defensive Prospect
GettySharp Football’s Brendan Donahue predicted the Dallas Cowboys to aggressively move up in the 2026 NFL Draft for safety Caleb Downs.
The Cowboys had one of the worst defenses in the league last season. They finished last in points allowed and third-to-last in total defense.
Dallas addressed some of its defensive issues, including safety, during NFL free agency. The Cowboys signed veteran safety Jalen Thompson to a 3-year, $33 million deal.
But pundits are still calling on the Cowboys to add a top defensive prospect at No. 12 overall. Donahue predicted Dallas to trade up because teams in the top eight were selecting other elite defensive prospects.
Five of the top eight players in Donahue’s mock draft were defensive players.
At No. 29 overall (after the trade with the Chiefs), Donahue again predicted the Cowboys to add a defender — Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor.
“The fact that Mesidor is already 25 years old will probably exclude him from some draft boards in the first round,” wrote Donahue. “That’s probably not true for Dallas, who are in win-now mode and has made it clear they are still looking to upgrade their pass rush with their offer for Maxx Crosby.
“Local Dallas reporter Bryan Broaddus has been clear that the team is very high on Mesidor and that they would even consider him at 12.”
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