Cowboys Select Caleb Downs at No. 11 Overall

The Dallas Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The move followed a successful trade-up of one spot to secure the pick. Internal reports reveal the team had initially attempted to trade up to the No. 9 overall selection before those negotiations were rebuffed. The draft process for the Cowboys was accelerated by the league's decision to reduce the round one selection window from 10 minutes to eight minutes.