Cowboys Trade Up, Select Caleb Downs 11th Overall in 2026 NFL Draft

The Dallas Cowboys have traded up one spot from pick No. 12 to pick No. 11 to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Dallas is sending picks number 12, 177, and 180 to the Miami Dolphins in return for the 11th pick. Downs earned All-American honors in both 2024 and 2025 while playing for the Buckeyes. Last season, he racked up 45 solo tackles, two interceptions, five TFLs, and one sack across 14 games. The 21-year-old is known as a high-level playmaker in the secondary who should make an immediate impact as both a run and pass defender for the Cowboys. Given the draft capital they surrendered to get their hands on Downs, Dallas may be planning on plugging him in as a starter right away in 2026.

Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero