Skip Bayless is blasting Jerry Jones after the Dallas Cowboys spent the 2026 NFL Draft prioritizing defense over star power.

Bayless publicly questioned the team's strategy while praising the Philadelphia Eagles' aggressive roster building. The critique follows a season where the Cowboys' defense finished last in the league in points allowed.

“Unfortunately, Howie Roseman is winning the draft, again," read Skip Bayless' X account. "Makai Lemon, Eli Stowers, and now trading picks for and signing Jonathan Greenard, a star pass rusher. They have Howie, we have Jerry.”

The Cowboys secured Ohio State’s safety Caleb Downs as their No. 11 pick (traded up with the Miami Dolphins), UCF Knights EDGE Malachi Lawrence at No. 23 (traded down with the Washington Commanders) during their first round.

Both moves were made to showcase the Cowboys' focus on rebuilding their defense after they finished last in the NFL in points allowed per game last season, conceding over 30 points a game on average.

The team secured Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (No. 92 overall) in the third round - addressing the linebacker void left by the Micah Parsons trade.

The Cowboys had three picks in the fourth round with Penn State’s OT Drew Shelton, Florida Gators cornerback Devin Moore, and Alabama Athletics’ defensive lineman LT Overton at the Nos. 112, 114, and 137, respectively.

The Cowboys had their final pick at the seventh round with No. 218 and secured East Carolina’s WR Anthony Smith, addressing the primary depth.

The team also acquired veteran linebacker Dee Winters from the San Francisco 49ers using a fifth-round pick, helping the Cowboys at least in part to live up to the ‘aggressive move’ expectations that Jerry Jones had set.

Rivalry Trade with the Cowboys Helps the Eagles Shine on Draft Night

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys pulled off a rare intra-division trade in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Before the latest move, the last draft-day deal between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys dates back to 2021. Philadelphia jumped to No. 10 for DeVonta Smith, while Dallas slid to No. 12 and landed Micah Parsons, a swap that paid off on both sides.

This week, the Eagles moved up to the No. 20 pick to secure USC Trojans Makai Lemon, hinting at the potential trade of their veteran wide receiver A.J.Brown.

While the Cowboys got Malachi Lawrence (No. 23 pick), along with Cornerback Devin Moore (No. 114) and defensive end LT Overton (No. 137).

By moving down and picking up multiple selections, the Cowboys not only strengthened their roster depth but also showed a clear focus on rebuilding the defense, even if it meant dealing with a division rival.

You can read more at the Dallas Cowboys Community!

Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote