Caleb Downs and Jaishawn Barham, two of the Dallas Cowboys’ top selections in the 2026 draft, are set to start on defense against Baltimore on Sunday. Malachi Lawrence, another rookie from the class, is expected to serve as an important rotational player.
Coach Brian Schottenheimer said Dallas planned to give its young players significant opportunities. “You draft them high with the plan to play,” Schottenheimer said, while acknowledging that the rookies and the team will experience development challenges.
Schottenheimer praised all three players while discussing the Cowboys’ decision to rely on them. He described Downs as an elite performer, pointed to Barham’s potential to create turnovers on each defensive snap, and highlighted Lawrence’s pass-rushing ability.
The coach also said mistakes by the rookies could be covered by the other 10 players on the defense, emphasizing the unit’s collective role. The increased responsibility for the rookies comes as Dallas deals with several defensive players missing practice.
