Cowboys draft new talent

The Dallas Cowboys will start the 2026 season with extra momentum behind George Pickens' franchise tag and Brandon Aubrey's four-year extension.

Driving the news: The team picked up seven new players in this year's NFL draft.

State of play: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, drafted 11th overall, was the Big Ten's defensive player of the year in 2025.

• The Hoschton, Ga., native posted a photo of himself in a field of bluebonnets before the draft began on Thursday. His brother, Josh Downs, plays for the Indianapolis Colts.
• "He was a prize for us sitting there ... didn't want to lose him," Jerry Jones said after the team swapped fifth-round picks to move up a spot in the first round and get Downs.
• The Cowboys' 2026 draft class also includes defensive end Malachi Lawrence, linebacker Jaishawn Barham and offensive tackle Drew Shelton.

Zoom out: The Houston Texans drafted Coppell native and former UNT offensive lineman Febechi Nwaiwu over the weekend.

• Emmitt Smith's son, E.J., went undrafted but the Kansas City Chiefs signed him as a free agent.

What's next: The Cowboys' training camp begins in July.