Penn State football: The Cowboys’ draft was heavy on ‘D’, but they couldn’t pass on this OT

The Dallas Cowboys used five of their first six draft picks on defensive players, starting with first-round selections Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence. But when Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton was available early in the fourth round, they couldn't pass him up.

Shelton made 34 career starts for the Nittany Lions and brings NFL-ready size at 6-foot-5 with the technical foundation that comes from playing major college football for four seasons. He was only one of two offensive players selected by Dallas in the entire draft, reflecting the team's clear priority to rebuild a defense that underperformed last season.

The Cowboys' draft strategy was unambiguous: fix the defense first. Downs, widely regarded as the best safety in the draft, and Lawrence, a disruptive interior lineman, address two of the unit's biggest weaknesses. The defensive-heavy approach makes sense given where the NFC East is headed — the division features multiple explosive offenses, and Dallas needs the personnel to match up.

But the Shelton pick is a reminder that you can't ignore the offensive line entirely. Quarterback protection and run blocking remain foundational, and adding a four-year starter in the fourth round represents excellent value. The Cowboys got a potential starter at a position of need without reaching.

**What This Means For You:** If you're a Cowboys fan, this draft class should make you cautiously optimistic. The defense got significantly more talented in three days, and the Shelton pick was a smart, pragmatic addition. The question now is whether Dallas's coaching staff can develop these players quickly enough to compete in a tough division. Rookie contributions matter immediately in the NFL — expect Downs and Lawrence to see significant snaps from Week 1.