The agony of watching valued prospects come off the board was a price the Cowboys had to pay, thanks to the trades for defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and wideout George Pickens. After the long wait from No. 23 to No. 92, Dallas added a versatile defensive piece in linebacker Jaishawn Barham.
The collective groans from Cowboys fans after Dallas took yet another player out of the University of Michigan aren't like the additions of former Wolverine defensive lineman Taco Charlton or Mazi Smith, both who flamed out with the Cowboys, but more like the selection of cornerback Jourdan Lewis who was also a Cowboys third-round pick out of Michigan.
Barham is a unique, hybrid defender with tremendous upside, who fits in new defensive coordinator's scheme. While still raw, his addition caps off a strong two-day haul that signals a clear defensive identity shift.
Experts from around the league tend to agree as the Cowboys have received high marks for sticking to their aggressive and defensive-heavy approach, walking away from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft with momentum firmly on their side.
Sports Illustrated: B+
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CBS Sports: A
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Yahoo Sports: C
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USA Today: A-
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The Athletic: B+
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The Sporting News: A
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SB Nation: B-
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Clutch Points: A
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Quick grades for Cowboys' 3rd-round selection of LB Jaishawn Barham
