Dallas Cowboys 2026 Draft Picks Thread
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Dodger12
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CP was all business. I like it.
dbair1967
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Brugler scouting info on Caleb Downs:
Caleb Downs 1st Safety, 5th
STRENGTHS ● Rangy, physical presence and drops the hammer on arrival ● Full-speed tackler with outstanding balance and twitch to break down in space ● Wraps, keeps his eyes before his feet and accelerates through target ● Quick to read keys and fly to the football from anywhere ● Dissects route combinations almost instantaneously for breakups or minimal post-catch gains ● Shows read-react burst of a cornerback when driving on throws ● Didn’t allow a passing touchdown in two seasons at Ohio State (874 coverage snaps) ● Balances high-level intelligence with disciplined decision-making ● Veteran-level communication skills ● Played on both punt return and punt coverages — had a 79-yard return touchdown versus Indiana in 2024 ● Elite competitive toughness; voted one of four team captains in 2025 ● Teammates praised his all-business attitude toward practice and meetings (NFL scout: “Our coaches are going to love him because he’s a process guy — how he prepares influences how he plays.”) ● Proven to be durable — didn’t miss a game in his three college seasons
WEAKNESSES ● Doesn’t have the frame some desire at the position ● Kept everything top-down and was rarely asked to turn his back to the line ● Always around the football but posted mediocre ball production ● Does a great job reading routes and the quarterback but would like to see him take more chances ● Can occasionally misjudge open-field speed in pursuit angles
SUMMARY A two-year starter at Ohio State (and three-year starter overall), Downs played a variety of safety positions (STAR, money, post) in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme, which uses a lot of disguises and trap/zone coverages. He often aligned in split-safety looks, where he could work down to create an eight-man box or drop into five-under man. Downs played with an unbelievable level of consistency over his three years in college. He became the first freshman to lead Alabama in tackles in 2023, then was a two-time unanimous All-American for the Buckeyes as he filled up his trophy case, including the 2024 national championship. A human missile, Downs jumps off the tape because of his fast, competitive play style. Despite having average size, he is an elite tackler who fills with impressive body control and strength at contact. He was most productive downhill and near the line of scrimmage but showed the same high-level reaction skills in coverage. His pattern recognition and situational awareness are above average, although you’d wish there was more ball production on his resume. Overall, Downs sees the field like it’s a chess board and plays with an exceptional combination of intelligence, urgency and toughness, allowing him to be disruptive from anywhere on the field. His intangibles and on-field versatility will make him an impactful NFL starter early in his career.
Caleb Downs 1st Safety, 5th
STRENGTHS ● Rangy, physical presence and drops the hammer on arrival ● Full-speed tackler with outstanding balance and twitch to break down in space ● Wraps, keeps his eyes before his feet and accelerates through target ● Quick to read keys and fly to the football from anywhere ● Dissects route combinations almost instantaneously for breakups or minimal post-catch gains ● Shows read-react burst of a cornerback when driving on throws ● Didn’t allow a passing touchdown in two seasons at Ohio State (874 coverage snaps) ● Balances high-level intelligence with disciplined decision-making ● Veteran-level communication skills ● Played on both punt return and punt coverages — had a 79-yard return touchdown versus Indiana in 2024 ● Elite competitive toughness; voted one of four team captains in 2025 ● Teammates praised his all-business attitude toward practice and meetings (NFL scout: “Our coaches are going to love him because he’s a process guy — how he prepares influences how he plays.”) ● Proven to be durable — didn’t miss a game in his three college seasons
WEAKNESSES ● Doesn’t have the frame some desire at the position ● Kept everything top-down and was rarely asked to turn his back to the line ● Always around the football but posted mediocre ball production ● Does a great job reading routes and the quarterback but would like to see him take more chances ● Can occasionally misjudge open-field speed in pursuit angles
SUMMARY A two-year starter at Ohio State (and three-year starter overall), Downs played a variety of safety positions (STAR, money, post) in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s scheme, which uses a lot of disguises and trap/zone coverages. He often aligned in split-safety looks, where he could work down to create an eight-man box or drop into five-under man. Downs played with an unbelievable level of consistency over his three years in college. He became the first freshman to lead Alabama in tackles in 2023, then was a two-time unanimous All-American for the Buckeyes as he filled up his trophy case, including the 2024 national championship. A human missile, Downs jumps off the tape because of his fast, competitive play style. Despite having average size, he is an elite tackler who fills with impressive body control and strength at contact. He was most productive downhill and near the line of scrimmage but showed the same high-level reaction skills in coverage. His pattern recognition and situational awareness are above average, although you’d wish there was more ball production on his resume. Overall, Downs sees the field like it’s a chess board and plays with an exceptional combination of intelligence, urgency and toughness, allowing him to be disruptive from anywhere on the field. His intangibles and on-field versatility will make him an impactful NFL starter early in his career.
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Brugler scouting in on Malachi Lawrence:
1st/2nd rd grade, 36th overall
STRENGTHS ● Mid-cut frame, with broad shoulders and decent build ● Quick vertical take-off; uses long arms to initiate rush sequencing (see 2025 Baylor tape) ● Complements long-arm moves with a variety of swats, clubs and push-pull moves ● Darting lateral cuts to cross blocker’s face and create entry points ● Has a knack for locating and swiping the football when he gets near QB ● Shoots his hands in run game to leverage the edge ● Plays with urgency in lateral pursuits to keep the ball contained ● Aggressive on the field; easy-going off it (NFL scout: “He keeps to himself, not a leader-type, but very good toughness and solid football character.”) ● Finished top 10 in UCF history in career sacks
WEAKNESSES ● Upright rusher; moves with some stiffness in attack ● Exhibits more pops of power than overwhelming strength ● Has trouble escaping big offensive tackles who engulf point of attack ● Lean muscle mass — doesn’t have ideal bulk for edge work ● Missed tackles are byproduct of revving-hot motor ● Has had surgery on both shoulders over the years ● Just 72 tackles in 39 career games
SUMMARY A two-year starter at UCF, Lawrence worked at both left and right defensive end (stand-up and hand on the ground) in defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s multiple fronts (rotation-heavy; Lawrence averaged 39.2 defensive snaps in 2025). The last remaining member of UCF’s 2021 recruiting class still on the roster in 2025, he showed gradual improvements each season and became just the 10th player in school history to reach 20 career sacks. Much of Lawrence’s success in college came from his play urgency and weaponized length. He is twitchy off the ball and uses his long arms and well-timed hands to help pry open corners or create interior rush lanes. However, there are times when he gets stuck at the top of his rush, especially when engulfed by size. Against the run, he uses his length to press blockers off his frame and stay available to chase. Overall, Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher, stack-shed toughness versus the run and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player, he still has upside.
1st/2nd rd grade, 36th overall
STRENGTHS ● Mid-cut frame, with broad shoulders and decent build ● Quick vertical take-off; uses long arms to initiate rush sequencing (see 2025 Baylor tape) ● Complements long-arm moves with a variety of swats, clubs and push-pull moves ● Darting lateral cuts to cross blocker’s face and create entry points ● Has a knack for locating and swiping the football when he gets near QB ● Shoots his hands in run game to leverage the edge ● Plays with urgency in lateral pursuits to keep the ball contained ● Aggressive on the field; easy-going off it (NFL scout: “He keeps to himself, not a leader-type, but very good toughness and solid football character.”) ● Finished top 10 in UCF history in career sacks
WEAKNESSES ● Upright rusher; moves with some stiffness in attack ● Exhibits more pops of power than overwhelming strength ● Has trouble escaping big offensive tackles who engulf point of attack ● Lean muscle mass — doesn’t have ideal bulk for edge work ● Missed tackles are byproduct of revving-hot motor ● Has had surgery on both shoulders over the years ● Just 72 tackles in 39 career games
SUMMARY A two-year starter at UCF, Lawrence worked at both left and right defensive end (stand-up and hand on the ground) in defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s multiple fronts (rotation-heavy; Lawrence averaged 39.2 defensive snaps in 2025). The last remaining member of UCF’s 2021 recruiting class still on the roster in 2025, he showed gradual improvements each season and became just the 10th player in school history to reach 20 career sacks. Much of Lawrence’s success in college came from his play urgency and weaponized length. He is twitchy off the ball and uses his long arms and well-timed hands to help pry open corners or create interior rush lanes. However, there are times when he gets stuck at the top of his rush, especially when engulfed by size. Against the run, he uses his length to press blockers off his frame and stay available to chase. Overall, Lawrence is a linear mover and lacks ideal bend, but he offers skill as a pass rusher, stack-shed toughness versus the run and the demeanor that will help him carve out a starting role at the next level. Despite being an older player, he still has upside.