Downs, who Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones called a player that’s capable of being “a quarterback of the defense,” is viewed by Dallas as a player that can handle responsibilities at nickel, safety and cornerback.
“I think it’s just being able to make plays in all facets of the game,” Downs said of how he fits in the Cowboys’ defense. “Whether that’s near the line of scrimmage or in the deep part of the field, I feel like I could do it all and it’ll be a great relationship to be able to do that with the Cowboys.”
While Downs has the intangibles and football IQ to take away a lot of the “grey area” that new DC Christian Parker has said he wants to eliminate from his unit, Dallas also believes Downs is the kind of player that can make those around him play at a higher level.