2026 NFL Weak Draft Tracker
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dbair1967
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Kiper has the Cowboys as one of his winners for day one.
Dallas traded two fifth-round picks to move up one spot, but it was worth it. The Cowboys got my No. 6 prospect and a culture-changer for a defense that needed one. They had a top-five offense last season. It didn't matter. Dallas would get into the end zone, and opponents would immediately go the other way and score. But Downs won't tolerate that on the back end of the secondary. He diagnoses and sniffs out plays, and he has the coverage and tackling ability to limit the big plays that buried the Cowboys in 2025 (54 plays allowed of 25 or more yards, most in the NFL).
It turns out those traded picks were coming right back, too. Putting aside the fact that it was an in-division move, how about the Cowboys trading back three spots from No. 20 to No. 23 with the Eagles and getting a pair of fourth-rounders in return? (Though, they sent a 2027 seventh-rounder to Philly as part of the deal.) The Cowboys turned the No. 23 pick into Lawrence, who has risen very fast over the past few months. As we saw both on tape and at the combine, he can fly off the edge. Lawrence had seven sacks last season and helps a defense that tied for 22nd in that area in its first year without Micah Parsons (35).
Dallas Cowboys
The pick: Caleb Downs (No. 11), Malachi Lawrence (No. 23)Dallas traded two fifth-round picks to move up one spot, but it was worth it. The Cowboys got my No. 6 prospect and a culture-changer for a defense that needed one. They had a top-five offense last season. It didn't matter. Dallas would get into the end zone, and opponents would immediately go the other way and score. But Downs won't tolerate that on the back end of the secondary. He diagnoses and sniffs out plays, and he has the coverage and tackling ability to limit the big plays that buried the Cowboys in 2025 (54 plays allowed of 25 or more yards, most in the NFL).
It turns out those traded picks were coming right back, too. Putting aside the fact that it was an in-division move, how about the Cowboys trading back three spots from No. 20 to No. 23 with the Eagles and getting a pair of fourth-rounders in return? (Though, they sent a 2027 seventh-rounder to Philly as part of the deal.) The Cowboys turned the No. 23 pick into Lawrence, who has risen very fast over the past few months. As we saw both on tape and at the combine, he can fly off the edge. Lawrence had seven sacks last season and helps a defense that tied for 22nd in that area in its first year without Micah Parsons (35).
dbair1967
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Everyone is familiar with the phrase "jack of all trades, master of none" and it's usually not something said in an overly positive light. It means that while you can do many things, you just arn't overly good at any of them.
Caleb Downs might be the unicorn that is the jack of all trades, master of them all. He literally doesn't have a weakness to his game. He can line up almost anywhere other than pure DL. He's great in the box. He's a superb blitzter. He can cover short areas and gets outside the hashes easily. He can play middle of the field. He can play deep safety. He's arguably the best tackler in the draft. He's played all over the defense for 3 different defensive coordinators, including proven NFL minds Nick Saban (one of the true defensive back gurus of football the last 30-40 yrs or more) and last yr for Matt Patricia.
Caleb Downs might be the unicorn that is the jack of all trades, master of them all. He literally doesn't have a weakness to his game. He can line up almost anywhere other than pure DL. He's great in the box. He's a superb blitzter. He can cover short areas and gets outside the hashes easily. He can play middle of the field. He can play deep safety. He's arguably the best tackler in the draft. He's played all over the defense for 3 different defensive coordinators, including proven NFL minds Nick Saban (one of the true defensive back gurus of football the last 30-40 yrs or more) and last yr for Matt Patricia.