The Dallas Cowboys traded up to the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to select safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State. They traded picks 12, 177, and 180 to the Miami Dolphins, who used the 12th pick to draft offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor.
Key points
Dallas Cowboys traded up to No. 11 pick
Selected safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State
Traded picks 12, 177, and 180 to Miami Dolphins
Dolphins drafted offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor with 12th pick
The Dallas Cowboys made news this week when former President Bill Clinton made a guest appearance at their pre-draft press conference. The Cowboys made more headlines during the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dallas traded up one spot to the No. 11 pick to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys traded picks 12, 177 and 180 to the Miami Dolphins to move up to get Downs.
The Dolphins used the 12th pick to draft offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park.
Carnell Tate of Ohio State.
Kayden McDonald of Ohio State.
Q&A
Why did the Dallas Cowboys trade up in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Cowboys traded up to select safety Caleb Downs, aiming to strengthen their defense.
What did the Cowboys give up to acquire Caleb Downs?
The Cowboys traded picks 12, 177, and 180 to the Miami Dolphins to move up to the No. 11 pick.
Who did the Miami Dolphins draft with the 12th pick?
The Dolphins selected offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor with the 12th pick in the draft.
What position does Caleb Downs play?
Caleb Downs plays as a safety, having been selected from Ohio State.
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Francis Mauigoa of Miami.
Arvell Reese of Ohio State.
Mansoor Delane of LSU.
Dillon Thieneman of Oregon.
Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson poses on the red carpet.
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey.
Colton Hood of Tennessee.
Kadyn Proctor of Alabama arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park.
1 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park.
2 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Carnell Tate of Ohio State.
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Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Kayden McDonald of Ohio State.
4 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Francis Mauigoa of Miami.
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Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Arvell Reese of Ohio State.
6 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Mansoor Delane of LSU.
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Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Dillon Thieneman of Oregon.
8 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
9 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson poses on the red carpet.
10 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Texas Tech Red Raiders linebacker David Bailey.
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Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Colton Hood of Tennessee.
12 / 12
Fashion and football meet in Pittsburgh on the NFL draft red carpet
Kadyn Proctor of Alabama arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft.
Trade grade: B+
Why the Cowboys made the trade
The Cowboys ended last season with the worst pass defense in the NFL, giving up 251 passing yards per game. Downs was the consensus best safety in the 2026 draft. He's a commander in the defensive backfield who can line up in the box, at slot cornerback or play center field.
Proctor was by far the best offensive lineman on Alabama's roster last season. The 6-foot-6 offensive lineman played tackle for the Crimson Tide. There's talk that he could kick inside to guard in the NFL. The Dolphins need assistance across their offensive line. Miami ranked 24th in pass block win rate and 29th in run block win rate last year, per ESPN.
Why the Dolphins made the trade
The Dolphins are in the midst of a rebuild so it makes sense that they traded back to accumulate more draft picks.The trade makes a lot of sense for the Dolphins. The Dolphins went through a mass exodus this offseason. They released QB Tua Tagovailoa, WR Tyreek Hill and edge rusher Bradley Chubb, plus traded WR Jaylen Waddle.
