"Unlike a lot of the positions in this draft class, the safety group is loaded with talent. Ohio State's Caleb Downs headlines the group as a consensus top five player in the class, but due to the devaluation of the safety position across the league, where Downs will end up is somewhat of a mystery."
"The Cowboys can save just under $7 million by releasing Malik Hooker with a pre-June 1 designation. With a loaded safety group in the 2026 NFL Draft and a relatively heavy safety group in free agency, expect the safety room to look a lot different in 2026."
"Behind Downs, Oregon's Dillon Thieneman and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren are considered to be borderline first-round picks, with Thieneman picking up a lot of buzz coming out of the scouting combine. If the Cowboys do miss out on Downs with their initial first-round pick, both Thieneman and McNeil-Warren could be options at the back-end of the first round."
The Dallas Cowboys plan substantial defensive restructuring for 2026, with the safety position targeted for major changes. Currently rostered safeties include Malik Hooker, Alijah Clark, Zion Childress, Julius Woods, and Markquese Bell. The team can save nearly $7 million by releasing Hooker with a pre-June 1 designation. The 2026 NFL Draft features exceptional safety talent, headlined by Ohio State's Caleb Downs, a consensus top-five prospect whose draft position remains uncertain due to league-wide safety devaluation. Oregon's Dillon Thieneman and Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren represent borderline first-round options. Additional day-two and day-three prospects include Penn State's Zakee Wheatley, Arizona's Genesis Smith, TCU's Bud Clark, Texas' Michael Taaffe, USC's Bishop Fitzgerald, and Kansas State's VJ Payne. The Cowboys will likely add at least one safety through the draft while exploring free agency options.
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