Cowboys targeted Caleb Downs at No. 9 in 2026 NFL Draft; Browns refused

More than a week out from the 2026 NFL Draft, and some of the behind-the-scenes drama from the Cowboys' draft room is still coming to light.

Here's how Dallas tried and failed to get into the top 10, and yet everything still seemed to work out for 'America's Team'.

Dallas tried to jump the Giants

The Cowboys co-owner and executive vice president, Stephen Jones, called Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry while Cleveland held the No. 9 pick.

The offer included the 12th, 20th, and later, a fifth-rounder for Nos. 9 and 24.

Dallas was desperate to leapfrog New York at ten and get to standout Ohio State safety Caleb Downs first, but Berry turned it down.

The Browns were seemingly locked in on taking Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano at that spot instead, which they duly did.

Cowboys still got Downs, and more

As it turned out, New York passed on Downs at 10, going with Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa instead.

The Cowboys then turned their attention to the Miami Dolphins, trading Nos. 12, 177 and 180 to move up one spot, where they took Downs.

Emilee Chinn / Staff

The upshot of it all? Dallas hadn't needed No. 9 after all.

A close call, perhaps, given they later traded back from No. 20 to No. 23 with the Eagles, where they took promising edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, and added Nos. 114 and 137 in return.

As always, it's far too early to say with any certainty, but the early take is that Cleveland's refusal didn't cost the Cowboys much at all. Quite the opposite.