Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Jay LaPrete/AP
FRISCO – On a night filled with mystery, the Cowboys entered as perhaps the most mysterious.
By the time the first round of the NFL draft rolled around Thursday, it was clear the Cowboys could take multiple paths. They were looked at as a team that could trade up from pick No. 12, or trade back, or even stay put – which might’ve been the riskiest scenario of all.
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As a wildcard, they held their cards close to the vest, until it was time to finally reveal their chosen path.
The Cowboys let the board fall for 10 picks and couldn’t wait any longer to secure one of the best players in the draft. They traded two fifth-round picks (No. 177 and No. 180) to move up one spot to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Cowboys fans were undoubtedly nervous as the draft unfolded and potential picks went off the board. But don’t worry, Cowboys fans: You weren’t the only ones with anxiety during the wait.
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“I would say I was with them,” Downs said on a conference call shortly after he was drafted. “I was a little anxious, a little nervous about it, but I’m very excited, honestly. When that pick came in and I got that call, definitely a smile crossed my face.”
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The Cowboys and Downs got to know each other during the draft process. They met at the NFL Scouting Combine. Downs was one of three Ohio State prospects to take a 30 visit to Dallas. On that visit, he showed his competitive spirit immediately, beating Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer in a putting competition in his office. The two didn’t discuss that when Schottenheimer talked to him before the pick on Thursday.
“He didn’t want to bring it up,” Downs said. “He brought up our [basketball] shooting contest. He lasted a little longer in the shooting game, but I had to bring up the fact that I beat him in putting.”
Downs said he left that visit feeling “so good” after talking with the coaching staff. It was a situation where he left thinking he could play in Dallas. It was always an ambition of his — kind of.
“I always actually talked about being in a no-income tax state,” Downs said with a chuckle, “like Texas, for me. So it’s a great opportunity to do that.”
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Downs was a three-time All-American in three years at Alabama and Ohio State. Before the draft began, former Alabama coach Nick Saban called Downs one of the best players he’s ever coached.
“This guy is made of all the right stuff, man,” Saban said. “Caleb Downs is a dawg.”
And now he’s a member of the Cowboys and a foundational piece in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s system. It’s a system that requires instinctive and smart players. Downs fits the bill.
“A lot of it’s God given, honestly” said Downs, the younger brother of Colts wide receiver Josh Downs.
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It’s the highest safety picked for the Cowboys since they selected Roy Williams eighth overall in 2002.
If the Cowboys were going to wait as long as they did, they needed some help. There were five consensus instant-impact defenders in the draft. That meant Dallas needed five offensive players to go in the first 10 picks.
We knew Las Vegas would take Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. We didn’t have to wait long for the second offensive player to go – or the third. The Arizona Cardinals selected running back Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick. Next, the Tennessee Titans – a team many figured would draft defense – selected Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate. New Orleans selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, the Browns selected Utah offensive tackle Spencer Fano, and then the New York Giants – a potential landing spot for Downs – selected Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa.
The Cowboys couldn’t risk waiting another pick, so they moved up to secure Downs, sending the Cowboys’ war room into celebration.
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For good reason. Downs was ranked as the No. 6 overall player in Daniel Jeremiah’s Big Board. He was the best available player left. The Jim Thorpe Award winner will be expected to have an instant impact in Dallas, just as he did at Alabama.
“Just doing what I need to do every day,” Downs said about how he could have an instant impact in the NFL. “Continuing the process that I’ve been doing, putting myself in position to win through the process I go through every day. I feel like that’s the biggest thing and I’m excited to do that at the next level.”
The Cowboys knew it would be a gamble to wait for one of their guys to fall. Cowboys co-owner Stephen Jones said Wednesday that they weren’t sure one of the draft’s premier defensive players would be there for them. ESPN predicted there was only a 12% chance Downs would be there at pick No. 11. The gamble paid off.