The entire NFL world knew where the Dallas Cowboys were going to allocate the most resources in the 2026 NFL Draft, so no one should be surprised that Dallas used nearly all of their picks on defense. And to be fair to this front office, the Cowboys have drafted rather well for years now.

No one accuses the Cowboys of not having talent, and given this defensive overhaul this offseason, the unit may finally be on the right track. And as long as the offense is in a similar spot in 2026, all the defense needs to do is be average, and Dallas is going to find itself right back in the mix at the top of the NFC.

The Cowboys’ draft has received a universal round of applause. There’s a lot to be excited about with Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, and Jaishawn Barham. But like any draft, Dallas could live to regret passing on these three prospects.

The Dallas Cowboys may regret not taking these 3 players in the NFL Draft

Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE (Pick 15, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Dallas traded up one spot to select Caleb Downs with the 11th pick in Round 1, but Rueben Bain Jr. was still on the board. Downs was a great pick, as the do-it-all defensive back should be able to play multiple roles for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, and not only could he have been the best player available, but he does fill a major need.

Alongside Jalen Thompson, the Cowboys are prepared to trot out some insanely talented defensive backs. However, Bain was available and he could have filled a more important and urgent need for Dallas. In today’s NFL, games are won and lost in the trenches.

Having strong offensive line and defensive line play is crucial for any team. We have seen Dallas struggle here, as they only had 35 sacks in 2025, but it’s not all about high sack totals. Generating consistent pressure does also push opposing quarterbacks out of the pocket and off-schedule.

A strong pass rush also directly benefits the secondary. Bain would have given Dallas an immediate starter, impact player, and someone who fills a monumental need. There is still a Micah Parsons-sized hole along the defensive line.

Elijah Sarratt, WR (Pick 115, Baltimore Ravens)

Dallas had the 112th and 114th overall picks, selecting Drew Shelton, a tackle from Penn State, and Devin Moore, a rangy cornerback from Florida. At pick 115, though, the Baltimore Ravens took Elijah Sarratt, a wide receiver from Indiana

The main thing here is that there really isn’t much of a guarantee that the duo of George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb stays in Dallas for the long-term. Pickens did sign his franchise tag, but some can see the writing on the wall here that next offseason could be filled with more uncertainty at this position.

Elijah Sarratt isn’t nearly the athlete that Pickens or Lamb are, but he’s a big-bodied, possession wide receiver who could have had a chain-moving role for Dallas almost immediately. Defenses are going to key-in on taking away Lamb and Pickens during the game, which does leave a third, reliable wide receiver in the spotlight.

Sarratt is a sure-handed prospect and projects as a security blanket in the NFL. The Cowboys could have gotten present and long-term impacts had they picked the former Hoosier.

Kyle Louis, LB (Pick 138, Miami Dolphins)

The Cowboys took versatile defensive lineman LT Overton at pick 137, just one spot before Kyle Louis, a hybrid linebacker, went to the Miami Dolphins.

While Dallas improved the linebacker room during the draft by trading for Dee Winters and selecting Jaishawn Barham in Round 3, it’s still not where you’d like it to be. Louis could have made a ton of sense here.

Just under 6 feet and 220lbs, Louis is definitely not an ideal linebacker size, but he does boast great speed and athleticism for the position. He’s also been quite productive in college and is incredible in coverage and serviceable against the run.

Sure, the size is a concern, but good players are good players. Given how many changes this team has made along the defensive line and even in the secondary, many fans were waiting for a substantive move at linebacker.

Louis clearly wasn’t who the Cowboys were targeting at pick 137, but he was absolutely the best player available and someone who would have filled one of the main remaining needs on defense.

Lando Norris will start the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint from pole position.

A dominant effort in SQ3 landed the reigning world champion his first pole of the season, beating Kimi Antonelli to P1, with the world championship leader starting on the front-row. 

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc slot in behind, with the third row being Max Verstappen and George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton seventh. 

Elsewhere, Aston Martin was required to request permission to race in the Sprint after both cars failed to set a time in SQ1.

Alex Albon ended the session in 14th, but was demoted five spots in strange circumstances after the session.

The FIA found he had breached track limits during SQ1 – but the infringement was missed in real time, meaning he advanced into SQ2. By the time the stewards were notified, he had already taken to the track for the second segment.

Check out the full grid for the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint below!

NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA. 

On Friday evening, the Atlanta Braves had a big win over the Colorado Rockies in Denver.

The Braves overcame a six-run deficit to win 8-6.

Michael Harris hit the go-ahead home run in the ninth inning.

After missing the 2025 MLB playoffs, the Braves are off to an incredible start to the season.

They are at the top of the National League East with a 23-10 record in 33 games.

So far, the Braves look like they will have a chance to win their second World Series in the last five years.

8x MLB All-Star Atlanta Braves Must Consider Acquiring

GettyAroldis Chapman #44 of the Boston Red Sox reacts after striking out Trent Grisham #12 of the New York Yankees (not pictured) to end game one of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on September 30, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City.

In the playoffs, having the right pitchers in the bullpen can make the difference in winning a series.

Aroldis Chapman (of the Boston Red Sox) is off to an incredible start to the 2026 season with a 1.04 ERA and five saves in nine games.

@TalkinBaseball_ wrote (on April 26): “Aroldis Chapman now has 1,341 career strikeouts, passing Goose Gossage for the second most in MLB history among relievers. Hoyt Wilhelm holds the all-time record with 1,363”

Chapman has been one of the best relievers in the MLB for well over a decade.

At 38, he has proven to still be pitching at an elite level.

That said, the Red Sox are at the bottom of the American League East with a 13-19 record in 32 games.

If they continue to struggle (and end up sellers at the trade deadline), Chapman would be an incredible addition to the Braves.

The Red Sox could get value out of a player who will not be part of their long-term future, while the Braves would be able to acquire a two-time World Series Champion for their playoff run.

GettyAroldis Chapman #44 and Carlos Narvaez #75 of the Boston Red Sox share a hug after the final out of the 3-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day at Great American Ball Park on March 26, 2026 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Chapman’s MLB Career

GettyAroldis Chapman #54 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Great American Ball Park on August 24, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds defeated the Tigers 12-5.

Chapman spent the first six years of his career with the Cincinnati Reds.

He then had stints with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates over 17 seasons.

His titles came with the Cubs (2016) and Rangers (2023).

Over 872 games, Chapman has gone 60-49 with a 2.50 ERA (and 372 saves).

GettyAroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees takes the field prior to game one of the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium on October 04, 2019 in New York City.

How the Red Sox perform over the next few months will be worth watching, as Chapman (and other veterans) could become available.

Ben Stinar Ben Stinar has been covering the NBA for over seven years. 

He has written for OnSI, Forbes, Amico Hoops, The Big Lead and had a podcast with former All-Star Jameer Nelson. More about Ben Stinar