Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft takeaways: Did Dallas do enough to fix abysmal 2025 defense?

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New defensive coordinator Christian Parker was looking for versatile pieces at all three levels and it appears like they checked every box. After the Cowboys’ final pick, Jerry Jones opened the final day news conference by pointing out that Dallas now has five first-round picks that they didn’t have at this time last year. He included their two first-round picks in this year’s class — Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence — and then added former first-round picks defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, defensive tackle Kenny Clark and edge rusher Rashan Gary. Those final three were added since the start of last season via trades. The Cowboys owner and general manager continued that they have added nine new defensive players this offseason between trades and free-agency signings. Finally, he noted that there are nine new members of the defensive coaching staff. “We have changed the concept of what we’re doing defensively,” Jones said. “We’ve executed a dramatic change.” Caleb Downs. Most experts didn’t think there was any chance Downs would still be on the board at Pick 11. The Cowboys did the right thing by picking up the phone, calling the Miami Dolphins and trading up one spot to get their guy. Adding Downs is bigger than just filling a position of need. He’s the type of player that can be the face of a defense, impacting games at all three levels. Parker needed this type of splash in a draft that probably only had a few defensive players who could make that kind of impact. Downs should never leave the field, playing all defensive back positions as Dallas’ new chess piece. Downs. It’s a surprise because he slid to within striking distance for the Cowboys, but also because Dallas was willing to trade up one spot. The reaction in the Cowboys’ draft room told the story after making the pick. The celebration was as wild as any in recent memory. Quinnen Williams is Dallas’ best defensive player, but Downs has a chance to be the face of the turnaround. The expectations are going to be extremely high for the former Ohio State standout, but he seems wired the right way to handle the spotlight. LT Overton. The pick isn’t a reach. The question is about if he can also help as an interior defensive lineman. Overton is 6-3, 287 pounds. If he’s just an edge rusher, then interior D-line depth is probably still needed. Versatility has been a common word with Parker’s new defensive scheme, so it’s likely that they think Overton will have success playing multiple positions. The Cowboys had been in a base 4-3 scheme for the previous 13 years. Switching to Parker’s 3-4 is certainly changing Dallas’ roster construction. “I’m an easy plug-and-play type of player,” Overton said after he was picked. “You could put me anywhere on the line, I’m going to thrive. … (During) my four years in college, I not only played just end, but I was an outside linebacker, so I was able to understand the coverage, the drops, the zones, why the linebackers are doing what they’re doing. But not only that, just being able to move inside, it’s a different game when you’re going against guards and the center, getting those double teams instead of just having that one-on-one with that tackle on the outside where you’ve got space. You’ve got to think fast and move faster.” There are no glaring needs. The inside linebacker position has the most questions but they’ve added two players in Jaishawn Barham and Dee Winters who combine with DeMarvion Overshown, Shemar James and Justin Barron to possibly fill out the position group. But it remains to be seen who will be the green dot linebacker, on the field calling the defense. That could be left to an open competition or perhaps another move is still in the works at a later date. Defensive back and edge rusher were two other top needs entering the draft, but multiple moves were made to improve at both positions. The Cowboys have certainly improved their defensive roster. They could still potentially make some veteran additions, but it’s not difficult to see the group has been upgraded from a year ago. Parker has never called a defense, so there could be growing pains early with the new defensive staff. But he appears to have the pieces in place for a group that can complement what should again be one of the NFL’s top offenses. The defense doesn’t have to be great. A middle-of-the-pack bunch should get the Cowboys back in the playoffs. There are reasons to believe this will be a better team than the previous two years when Dallas managed only seven wins each season. “We can put it together,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. “(The) two teams (that were) in the Super Bowl (Seahawks and Patriots), they didn’t make the playoffs the year before. I know it can happen, because I’ve done it when it didn’t work and I’ve done it when it worked. You just keep (swinging) that pick.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms