Nick Saban provided the 2026 NFL Draft’s most viral moment when a hot mic caught his unfiltered reaction to the Dallas Cowboys’ 23rd pick. When the show came back from a break, Saban, not knowing his microphone was on, said,

"Wow, this is a reach," he said per Brandon Contes of Awful Announcing. 

Saban took it back when the broadcast started again. 

"Actually, this guy was one of my sleepers for tomorrow," Saban said via ESPN. "But he is a good player. I thought he was someone that was getting overlooked in the draft, but obviously the Cowboys didn't overlook him."

The Cowboys traded down from No. 20 with Philadelphia and picked UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence 23rd overall. They thought he was a key addition to a defense that had trouble in 2025, even though there was a gap.

Mel Kiper Jr. from ESPN disagreed with Saban's take, saying that the move made sense because the Cowboys' defense was bad in 2025. This was a direct response to the 'reach' label.

Saban had said nice things about the Cowboys' choice to trade up for Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 earlier that night, calling him a "phenomenal person" and a "football junkie."

The Lawrence pick was the only time he really showed what he thought before he went back on the air.

Nick Saban Endorses Caleb Downs After Cowboys Select Him 11th Overall

Saban made news more than once on draft day for the Cowboys. His reaction to the Caleb Downs pick told a very different story.

The Cowboys moved up in the draft to pick Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th pick overall. Saban's reaction on ESPN's broadcast was quick.

"This guy is a tremendous, tremendous person and competitor. And I'll tell you what... there's only a few guys that I love more than this guy as a player on our football team. And he did a great job and he improved even more at Ohio State."

Downs had 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack, and an interception in 2025 at Ohio State. He was the best player on the team and led a defense that allowed the fewest yards in the country.

Downs fills an immediate need for the Cowboys defense, which ranked 30th in yards allowed in 2025. His football IQ and toughness, which Saban's endorsement confirmed, are what they need.

Do you think Saban’s ‘Reach’ comment hold value?

Follow Dallas Cowboys Community for more.

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi