B
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys cashed the board's mistake on Caldwell: B.
by D.HAWK ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 4 steals
· 2 reaches
If you want a masterclass in dealing, watch the Cowboys, who turned every swap into a profit this weekend.
The Caldwell pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged. The Young pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with quarterback, running back and other spots still on the board. They will regret leaving quarterback for another day if the season turns on it.
They will need Young to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it.
Good work on the whole, with quarterback the one box left unchecked.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 24 they get a bendy edge with upside, reach and all. More want than need.
They zigged when the board said zag, taking Zion Young at edge rusher with quarterback, running back and other spots open.
A tidy bit of business in No. 47, where Anthony Hill Jr. graded well above the range. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Good price on Zakee Wheatley in pick No. 89, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
No edge and no loss on Devin Moore in Round 3, Pick 28; it is a wash and a sensible one. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
They bypassed pressing needs at quarterback, running back and other spots to take Bud Clark, a safety that was not the priority.
Eli Raridon at the Round 5 slot is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Malik Benson in the 149th pick is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Aamil Wagner at the 177th overall pick is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the offensive lineman. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr in slot 180 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Taking Jeff Caldwell in pick No. 218 is close to grand larceny; a wide receiver that good had no business lasting this long. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.