For the first two days of the NFL Draft 2026, the Dallas Cowboys focused heavily on defense following their historically poor 2025 campaign.

During the Cowboys' post-draft conference on Day 2, Jerry Jones admitted his mistake of ruining the playoff chances by not paying attention to the alarming defense needs. 

“We’ve changed this defense. …This is a product of 3, 4, 5 years of not getting where we’re trying to go and being a contender. … We’re doing something about (fixing) this defense," he said.

The Dallas Cowboys surrendered 1,193 total yards and 92 points in just the first three games and allowed 6,409 yards overall in the 2025 season. This poor defense ranked them as the second-worst three-game start in franchise history for yardage allowed. 

And since then, the Cowboys have been working hard to fix their defense, starting with replacing their former defensive coordinator, Matt Eberflus, with Christian Parker. 

According to Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News, Parker was brought in this offseason to fix Matt Eberflus’ defense that struggled across the board, conceding a franchise-record 511 points. 

The team also signed safeties Jalen Thompson and P. J. Locke. And cornerbacks Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick, and acquired Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers, through free agency and trades.

They also retained RB Javonte Williams, franchise tagged George Pickens, and re-signed Brandon Aubrey for a historical four-year, $28M deal.

As soon as Christian Parker joined the Cowboys, he shifted the defense from 4-3 to 3-4, and the team needed players to back it up. Accordingly, the Cowboys have prioritized filling those defensive gaps - a focus that has been evident throughout the 2026 NFL Draft so far.

Dallas Cowboys' Draft So Far In Terms Of Building Defense

The Cowboys traded up to No. 11 with the Miami Dolphins, just one spot up from their initial pick, No. 12, to secure Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs.

With his versatility in being a linebacker, safety, and nickel corner, he is projected to fill in various roles according to the situation, as per Parker’s scheme

And then the team traded down with the Washington Commanders from No. 20 to No. 23 to secure the UCF Knights' edge, Malachi Lawrence.

According to Patrick Walker of DallasCowboys.com, Lawrence is expected to play as the inside linebacker, as Schottenheimer said.

During the second day of the draft, the Cowboys traded their No. 152 overall (fifth-round pick) in exchange for San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters, meeting the immediate need at the linebacker position on the defence.

And as a final pick for Day 2, they secured Michigan Wolverines edge rusher Jaishawn Barham, boosting the defense with his speed and explosiveness.

After a season derailed by defensive failures, Dallas has responded with urgency - overhauling the coaching staff, adding proven talent, and using the draft to rebuild the unit from the ground up.

You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Kalp Thaker