FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick in the first round of the NFL draft after moving up one spot in a trade with the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.
The move to try to bolster one of the NFL's worst defenses was expected, and the Cowboys took no chances on getting a player they wanted. Dallas sent the 12th pick and two fifth-rounders to the Dolphins.
Dallas still had the No. 20 choice
in the first round, which the club acquired from Green Bay in the trade last year that sent star pass rusher Micah Parsons to the Packers.
Downs was a two-time Associated Press All-American while helping lead the Buckeyes to the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State was knocked off by Miami at the home of the Cowboys in the CFP quarterfinals.
About two hours before the start of the draft, two people with knowledge of the decision said receiver George Pickens was planning to sign the $27.3 million franchise tag with the Cowboys. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the signing wasn't official.
News of Pickens' decision sparked trade speculation because the 25-year-old has to be under contract to be dealt to another team, but Dallas made no such move before bolstering the defense.
The Cowboys entered the draft with needs everywhere for a defense that was among the worst in the NFL, giving up the most points (511) with the fewest interceptions (six) in franchise history.
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