FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys are hoping they can repeat their draft success from 2005 to repair a defense in need of a serious fix.
After taking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with their first pick, No. 11 overall, thanks to a trade with the Miami Dolphins, the Cowboys selected UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick after moving down from No. 20 following a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 2005, the Cowboys selected outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware and defensive end Marcus Spears in the first round at Nos. 11 and 20. Ware became the franchise's all-time leader in sacks on his way to a Hall of Fame career, and Spears was a starter for most of his eight-year stint with Dallas.
The Cowboys allowed a franchise-record 511 points in 2025 and were 30th in yards allowed per game in 2025 and knew they needed to address their defense.
In Downs, the Cowboys have a prospect that immediately fills a need for defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He started every game he played in college (44), first at Alabama and then the last two years at Ohio State. He was credited with 256 tackles, 16 tackles for loss 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 16 pass deflections and six interceptions.
Downs was named the 2025 winner of the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, and he is a two-time unanimous All-American. In his two seasons with the Buckeyes, he did not allow a touchdown as a primary defender to go with four interceptions and nine pass breakups.
With Lawrence, the Cowboys have an edge rusher that they believe fills the profile Parker wants. At 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, he has the size and length to handle an outside linebacker role.
He had 20 sacks in his career and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection after putting up seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss and three pass deflections and two forced fumbles. The Cowboys have not made a bid yet to re-sign their leader in sacks from 2025, Jadeveon Clowney (8.5), but they have traded for Rashan Gary, re-signed Sam Williams and now added Lawrence to add to last year's second-round pick, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and James Houston, who had 5.5 sacks a year ago.
In 2005, Ware and Spears helped accelerate the move from the 4-3 to the 3-4 under then head coach Bill Parcells, as well as linebacker Kevin Burnett, defensive end Christ Canty and defensive tackle Jay Ratliff.
In 2026, the Cowboys are making the switch to a 3-4 under Parker, albeit with different principles than the scheme Parcells favored. In Downs, the Cowboys found their nickel defender with the ability to match up on running backs and tight ends, while also being a forced player in the run. In Lawrence, the Cowboys have a pass rusher they believe can be part of a deep rotation to affect the opposing quarterback with defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark on the inside.
To get both players, owner and general manager Jones had to pull off the 74th and 75th trades of his tenure.
The Cowboys had one of their 12 first-round grades on Downs and were comfortable moving up a spot from No. 12 with the Dolphins while parting with two fifth-round picks (Nos. 177, 180). It was the first time the Cowboys had moved up in the first round since taking cornerback Morris Claiborne sixth overall in 2012, and it was just their second move up since 2014 when they jumped higher in the second round to take defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.
The Cowboys moved down from No. 20 overall to No. 23 after trading with their NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys gained picks Nos. 114 and 137 overall, while sending a 2027 seventh rounder back to the Eagles.