See who Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans picked during NFL 2026 Draft round 1
The 2026 NFL Draft was an eventful one for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Both teams made bold moves by trading up in the first round to secure key players that they believed would help them improve their rosters and compete at a higher level in the upcoming season.
The Dallas Cowboys, known for their star-studded roster and high expectations, were looking to add depth to their defense in the draft. With the 11th overall pick, the Cowboys traded up to the 7th spot to select defensive end Marcus Washington out of Ohio State. Washington was widely regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the draft class, and the Cowboys saw him as a perfect fit for their aggressive defensive scheme.
Washington, standing at 6’4″ and weighing in at 265 pounds, was a force to be reckoned with on the field. His speed off the edge and ability to disrupt opposing quarterbacks made him a valuable asset for the Cowboys defense. With Washington in the mix, the Cowboys were confident that they had found a player who could help them improve their pass rush and make life difficult for opposing offenses.
But the Cowboys weren’t done there. With their second pick in the first round, they traded up once again to select cornerback Jaden Thompson out of LSU. Thompson was a lockdown corner with exceptional ball skills and the ability to shut down some of the best receivers in the league. The Cowboys saw him as a perfect complement to their newly acquired pass rusher, Marcus Washington, and believed that he would help solidify their secondary.
With Washington and Thompson now on board, the Cowboys were excited about the potential of their defense heading into the 2026 season. They had successfully addressed two key areas of need and felt confident that they had added two impact players who could help them compete for a playoff spot in the highly competitive NFC East.
On the other side of the state, the Houston Texans were also busy making moves in the first round of the draft. With the 13th overall pick, the Texans traded up to the 9th spot to select quarterback Ryan Johnson out of Alabama. Johnson was a highly touted prospect with a strong arm and exceptional accuracy, and the Texans saw him as the franchise quarterback that they had been searching for.
Johnson, who had led Alabama to a national championship in his final season, was a proven winner with the leadership qualities that the Texans were looking for in a quarterback. He had the ability to make all the throws and read defenses at a high level, and the Texans believed that he had the potential to be a true game-changer for their offense.
With Johnson now at the helm, the Texans were excited about the future of their team. They had finally found their quarterback of the future and believed that he could lead them to success in the years to come. Johnson’s presence gave the Texans hope that they could turn things around and become a competitive team in the AFC South once again.
In addition to selecting Ryan Johnson, the Texans also made another bold move in the first round by trading up to select wide receiver Elijah Miller out of Oklahoma with the 22nd overall pick. Miller was a dynamic playmaker with elite speed and hands, and the Texans saw him as a perfect weapon to pair with their new quarterback, Ryan Johnson.
Miller, who had put up impressive numbers at Oklahoma and was widely regarded as one of the top receivers in the draft class, was a game-changer on the field. His ability to stretch the field and make big plays in the passing game made him a valuable asset for the Texans offense, and they believed that he could help take their passing attack to the next level.
With Johnson and Miller now on board, the Texans felt confident that they had added two key pieces to their offense that could help them compete with the best teams in the league. They had addressed key areas of need and believed that they were on the right path to building a championship-caliber team in Houston.
Overall, the 2026 NFL Draft was a successful one for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans. Both teams made bold moves by trading up in the first round to select key players that they believed would help them improve their rosters and compete at a higher level in the upcoming season.
The Cowboys addressed their need for a pass rusher and lockdown corner with the selections of Marcus Washington and Jaden Thompson, while the Texans found their franchise quarterback in Ryan Johnson and added a dynamic playmaker in Elijah Miller to their offense. Both teams were excited about the potential of their new additions and felt confident that they had taken significant steps towards building competitive teams for the future.
As the 2026 NFL season approached, fans of both the Dallas Cowboys and the Houston Texans were eagerly anticipating the debut of their new draft picks. They were hopeful that these players would make an immediate impact and help lead their teams to success on the field. With the talent and potential that these players possessed, the future looked bright for both franchises as they prepared to embark on a new season of NFL football.
Source: USA Today
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