Cowboys Sign Six 2026 Draft Picks, Including Downs

The Dallas Cowboys signed six of their seven picks from the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday, including first-round safety Caleb Downs to a four-year rookie contract worth $28.95 million in fully guaranteed money, featuring a $17.5 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. The team traded up one spot from No. 12 to No. 11 with the Miami Dolphins to select Downs, leaving fellow first-round edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, taken 23rd overall, as the lone unsigned draftee.

Downs, a two-time consensus All-American from Ohio State, earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 along with the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy. Over 44 college games split between Alabama in 2023 and Ohio State from 2024 to 2025, he recorded 164 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and three forced fumbles. The Cowboys also finalized four-year deals for third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham, fourth-round offensive tackle Drew Shelton, fourth-round cornerback Devin Moore, fourth-round edge rusher LT Overton and seventh-round wide receiver Anthony Smith.

These signings come as the Cowboys' rookie minicamp begins this weekend, where the new draftees will join 11 undrafted...