OXNARD, Calif. — The Dallas Cowboys are expected to play both of their 2026 first-round picks in Saturday’s preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday that safety Caleb Downs and outside linebacker Malachi Lawrence will likely see some action at Lumen Field.
The Cowboys were still sorting out how they’d divide playing time.
“We’re still working through the rotations of who’s going to play,” Schottenheimer said. “I think at some point they’ll both play a little bit of football. We’re working through that now. Get through today’s practice, have a few more meetings to finalize it, but I would expect you probably see both of them play a little bit.”
The game starts at 7 p.m. CT. CBS Texas has the broadcast in North Texas, and NFL Network will carry it nationally.
Caleb Downs Set For First Dallas Cowboys Preseason Action
Dallas traded up one spot in April to take Downs at No. 11 overall. The Cowboys sent the No. 12 pick and fifth-round selections Nos. 177 and 180 to the Miami Dolphins in the deal.
Downs signed May 1. His four-year rookie contract is worth $28.95 million fully guaranteed and includes a $17.5 million signing bonus. The Cowboys have a fifth-year option on the deal.
Downs played at Alabama as a freshman in 2023 before transferring to Ohio State for his final two seasons. He was a unanimous All-American in 2024 and 2025. His final year included the Jim Thorpe Award, Lott Trophy and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Downs also has NFL ties in his family. His brother, Josh Downs, is a receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. Their father, Gary Downs, played running back in the league.
Dallas held a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday in Woodland Hills before returning to Oxnard.
Malachi Lawrence Also Expected To Play For Dallas Cowboys
Lawrence went 23rd overall after Dallas moved out of the No. 20 spot in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles. He signed his rookie contract June 5. That put all seven players from the Cowboys’ 2026 draft class under contract.
He played all five of his college seasons at UCF.
Lawrence had 7.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss in 2023. As a senior in 2025, he finished with 7 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles on his way to first-team All-Big 12 honors.
He ended his UCF career with 20 sacks, which ranks 10th in school history. Lawrence became the fifth first-round pick from UCF and the highest-drafted defensive player in program history.
Both Lawrence and Downs now join a Cowboys defense being run by first-year coordinator Christian Parker.
Dallas Cowboys Open Preseason In Seattle
Saturday will be the ninth preseason game between Dallas and Seattle. The last preseason meeting came Aug. 19, 2023, when Seattle won 22-14 at home.
Dallas will return to California after the game. Open practices in Oxnard continue through Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The Cowboys play the Arizona Cardinals on Aug. 22 at 9 p.m. CT before returning home to face the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. CT.
Downs and Lawrence are expected to get their first preseason snaps Saturday night.
