Jerry Jones says Cowboys have 'changed this defense' as NFL draft focuses on beleaguered unit

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys took a player they coveted but didn't expect to get in the NFL draft with safety Caleb Downs and added one edge rusher in Malachi Lawrence alongside another who might end up being a more traditional linebacker in Jaishawn Barham.

In their first draft since one the league's worst defenses gave up the most points with the fewest interceptions in franchise history, the Cowboys are mostly finished with an extreme makeover that included trades and free agent signings, not to mention the January hiring of 34-year-old defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

“We’ve changed this defense,” owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “And if it were just last year, the way we played on defense, then that might not have called for this. But ... what you’re seeing going on right now is a product of three or four or five years or maybe more that we just haven’t been able to ultimately get where we’re trying to go and be a contender. It’s going to be different, it’s going to be fresh.”

Dallas missed the playoffs the past two seasons in large part because it couldn't get the defense right, and the 30-year run without even a trip to the NFC championship game — the longest in the conference — is well-chronicled for a proud franchise with five Super Bowl titles.

Downs (No. 11 overall out of Ohio State) and Lawrence (No. 23 out of UCF) were the first pair of first-round picks for the Cowboys in 18 years. Downs is by far the highest draft pick Dallas has used on a safety since Darren Woodson retired in 2003.

Any comparison to a three-time Super Bowl winner and the club's career leader in tackles isn't a good idea when Downs hasn't even stepped on a practice field for the Cowboys, who might be tempted to have those thoughts anyway.

Dallas had the extra first-round pick because of the trade of star pass rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay last year. The Cowboys gave up the other first-rounder in that deal, a 2027 pick, to get star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the New York Jets during the 2005 season.

“If we get Darren Woodson out of him, we should really put a red letter around this day,” Jones said after Dallas moved up one spot in a trade with Miami to ensure getting Downs. “Let me say this, no compunction whatsoever in my mind about taking Downs after doing all the trading we’ve done to get these picks. I really did have a big, good inside feeling when we were able to get a player like that with the fruits of our labor.”

The Cowboys took two more defensive players in the fourth round in Florida cornerback Devin Moore (114th overall) and edge rusher LT Overton of Alabama (137th). Five of their seven choices were on defense.

Dallas' other fourth-rounder was Penn State tackle Drew Shelton (112th). The other offensive player taken was East Carolina receiver Anthony Smith with the second pick of the seventh round (No. 218).

The Cowboys have been trying to figure out linebacker for two years, with several swings and misses on veterans. The latest attempt is Dee Winters, acquired on the second day of the draft from San Francisco for a fifth-round pick.

While Barham — the 92nd overall pick in the third round — is listed as an edge rusher, he played behind the line of scrimmage earlier in his career at Michigan. The Cowboys say they're intrigued by that.

Dallas is hoping for DeMarvion Overshown's first fully healthy season in the 2023 third-round pick's fourth year, and two other recent mid-round draft picks are still on the roster in Marist Liufau and Shemar James.

“We’re still building the room. We needed to rebuild it,” executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said. “We need to keep being a creative there and adding players and have competition.”

Parker has been living in a hotel in the three months since the Cowboys hired him. Downs unexpectedly falling to Dallas could change that.

“When we got Caleb, he told me and Jerry, he said, ‘Hey, now I’ll buy a house,’” coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “He’s been busy, he’s been grinding on film, but getting a guy like Caleb made him comfortable. I don’t think he’s bought it yet, but in the next couple days, he said he’s ready to buy a house.”

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Dallas Cowboys first round draft pick Malachi Lawrence responds to a question after being fitted for a custom pair of boots at the NFL football team's headquarters Friday, April 24, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick Caleb Downs, front right, gives autographs to fans as he departs from the team's NFL football headquarters Friday, April 24, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys first-round draft picks Malachi Lawrence, left, and Caleb Downs, right, greet each other after a news conference at the team's NFL football headquarters Friday, April 24, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick Malachi Lawrence, right, and team owner Jerry Jones, left, arrive for an NFL football news conference at the team's headquarters Friday, April 24, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Dallas Cowboys team owner Jerry Jones, left and head coach Brian Schottenheimer, right, react as first round draft pick Caleb Downs, center, responds to a question during a news conference at the team's NFL football headquarters Friday, April 24, 2026, in Frisco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard made it clear in January he was going to make the defense younger and faster.

He delivered on that promise repeatedly during the three-day NFL draft.

Indy beefed up its thinnest position by using two of its first four picks on linebackers then added a hard-hitting, playmaking safety and a speedy edge rusher as the next steps in what has become a a major offseason overhaul.

Now the Colts will see how it all fits, starting with top selection CJ Allen of Georgia who is expected to be an immediate starter at middle linebacker.

“One of the good things about the system he’s coming from (Georgia) is they put a lot on the (middle linebacker), a lot of adjustments,” Ballard said of the first team All-American after making his first selection at No. 53 overall Friday. “So we think he’s going to be able to handle (the transition) pretty well. We spent a lot of time — I know, (James) Bettcher, our linebackers coach, I know he grilled him pretty hard and came across raving about his IQ”

The 21-year-old Allen ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and called defensive plays each of the past two seasons at Georgia, making him an ideal match to replace 29-year-old Zaire Franklin, a former team captain who was traded to Green Bay in March after his fourth straight 100-tackle season.

Indy's second pick, A.J. Haulcy of LSU, also fit the mold. The 6-foot, 222-pound safety was clocked at 4.52 seconds in the 40 at the scouting combine and earned all-conference honors at three different colleges.

“A.J. is interesting,” Ballard said. "What I love the most is — especially in the transfer world — he goes to New Mexico, starts, goes to Houston, starts, goes to LSU, starts. Takes the ball away. He’s physical. No, he’s going to be a good addition. We think we got younger and faster on defense.”

Indy's most intriguing pick might be the selection of Bryce Boettcher from Oregon. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound middle linebacker was taken in the fourth round, No. 135 overall, and it wasn't the first time he was drafted.

Boettcher was a 13th-round pick of the Houston Astros in the 2024 Major League Baseball draft but turned down the chance to pursue a baseball career to continue playing football. He wound up leading all Power 4 players with 131 tackles last season.

"There’s no better feeling than inflicting pain on someone legally,” he said while explaining why he bypassed a baseball career.

Boettcher noted, his position coach with the Colts pronounces his last name the same way — “Bet-cher” — despite the different spellings.

Ballard also used the first of his two fourth-round picks on guard Jalen Farmer. Indy listed the 6-5, 312-pound offensive linemen from Kentucky as a guard, though some draft analysts think his long body and arms could help him play tackle in the NFL.

He's likely to start out playing multiple positions after Indy lost versatile backup lineman Danny Pinter in free agency.

Indy closed out the draft by selecting Caden Curry of Ohio State in the sixth round, a 6-3, 257-pound defensive end who played high school football in suburban Indianapolis and former Purdue receiver Deion Burks in the seventh round. Burks finished his career at Oklahoma.

“I feel like this is the next step in my career and I can't wait to do it in the city I grew up,” Curry said, wearing a Peyton Manning Super Bowl jersey. “We're just happy to be here and happy to be so close to home.”

Indy also took George Gumbs Jr., who started his career as a walk-on receiver at Northern Illinois before moving to tight end before eventually finding a home — and earning a scholarship — at defensive end. He finished career at Florida and was taken No. 156 overall.

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FILE - Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (01) speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Feb. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)