It’s been 10 years since the Cowboys spent a first-round pick on an Ohio State product, and both are arguably the most hyped-up picks Dallas has had over that time span. We can hope that Caleb Downs makes the same immediate impact that Ezekiel Elliott did, and that he enjoys a far longer period of success.
Background
Years in NFL: 0
Acquired by: 2026 1st-round pick
Advertisement
Downs is no stranger to the spotlight. He was a top-ranked recruit coming out of high school, generally considered the nation’s best safety prospect. Coming out of Georgia, he spurned home-state teams and committed to rival Alabama. He played one year for the Crimson Tide, being named SEC Freshman of the Year, but transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban’s retirement.
For two years with the Buckeyes, the accolades kept coming. Downs has been a First-Team All-American both seasons, Defensive Back of the Year, Jim Thorpe Award winner, and the list goes on. He was a key player on Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team. Downs has been consistently noted for his leadership and football IQ, more than overcoming any lack of prototypical size or athleticism.
Many considered Downs the best overall talent in the 2026 NFL Draft, but safety has descended the ranks of positional value. The stars aligned for the Cowboys, needing a major talent infusion in their revamped defense. Sitting at 12th, they watched Downs slide through the top ten. Concerned that someone else might snag him at 11th, Dallas gave up two fifth-round picks to swap spots with Miami and secure a new defensive leader.
Contract Status
Years Left: 4
2026 Cap Hit: $5.26 million
Advertisement
As a rookie, Downs will already have the second-highest cap hit among all safeties. Malik Hooker’s is still on top at $6.56 million, and Jalen Thompson isn’t far behind at $4.62 million. Clearly, Downs is the biggest overall investment Dallas has made at the position in a long time, probably going back to Roy Williams (eighth-overall pick) in 2002.
2026 Projections
Role: Starting S & Slot CB
Roster Chance: 100%
Yeah, he’s making the team. And at this point, there isn’t even much doubt about his role. Downs has immediately begun working as the slot corner in the spring camps, and that should be where we see him throughout the summer and on into the season. Though veteran safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke were also added with potential slot duties in mind, Downs’ unanticipated arrival seemed to change the plan.
Advertisement
That said, the versatility of many Cowboys defensive backs this season allows for plenty of options. Two of Dallas’ top corners, DaRon Bland and Cobie Durant, can play outside or slot. We already mentioned the three safeties. This will allow Christian Parker to get very creative and, hopefully, produce plenty of confusion for opposing offenses.
Sometimes, though, attempts to confuse opponents can be self-sabotaging. Last year’s defense could barely execute the planned plays, let alone make adjustments. This is where Downs will be so vital as a communicator, especially when he’s playing close to the line of scrimmage. Great individual plays will be there, but his greatest asset may be how he sets up teammates for success.
Check out our previous player profiles from this series:
RB Israel Abanikanda | P Bryan Anger | S Justin Barron | G T.J. Bass | C Cooper Beebe | CB DaRon Bland | RB Jaydon Blue | G Tyler Booker | CB Josh Butler | S Alijah Clark | OT Ajani Cornelius | RB Malik Davis | DT Tommy Dunn | CB Cobie Durant | OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku | TE Princeton Fant | TE Jake Ferguson | WR Ryan Flournoy | OLB Rashan Gary | C Matt Hennessy | S Malik Hooker | OLB James Houston | QB Sam Howell | WR Jordan Hudson | LB Shemar James | G Trevor Keegan | CB Derion Kendrick | WR CeeDee Lamb | OLB Isaiah Land | OLB Marist Liufau | S P.J. Locke | FB Hunter Luepke | RB Phil Mafah | QB Joe Milton III | WR Jonathan Mingo | CB Devin Moore | DT Otito Ogbonnia | LB DeMarvion Overshown | TE DJ Rogers | TE Luke Schoonmaker | LS Trent Sieg | WR Anthony Smith | G Tyler Smith | TE Brevyn Spann-Ford | OT Terence Steele | CB Reddy Steward | OT Nate Thomas | S Jalen Thompson | DT Jay Toia | TE Michael Trigg | WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling | OLB Tyrus Wheat | RB Javonte Williams | DT Quinnen Williams | OLB Sam Williams | LB Dee Winters | DT D.J. Withers | S Julius Wood
