Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs talks with reporters after a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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OXNARD, Calif. — Rookies are supposed to be learning, rather than teaching. After one practice, however, rookie first-round pick Caleb Downs found a way.
On Thursday, prior to their second training camp practice, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer presented some evidence to the team of one of Downs’ best qualities. Schottenheimer had two video exhibits. The first was a play during minicamp where Downs was beat on a quick out route by CeeDee Lamb, who’s known for being one of the best route runners in the NFL. The second video was what happened on Wednesday when Schottenheimer called for Lamb to run the same route against Downs in man coverage. Instead of getting beat by Lamb, Downs covered him perfectly.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer watches players run on the field during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight ends Brevyn Spann-Ford (89) and Jake Ferguson toss balls back and forth during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive assistant coach Will Grier talks with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys players stretch during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb catches a ball during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) high fives teammates during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott towles off during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer laughs with wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens catches a ball during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Drew Shelton works against linebacker Malachi Lawrence (57) during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda carries the ball during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel participates in a drill during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens catches a pass during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) runs down the sideline after a catch past defensive backs Markquese Bell (14) and Malik Hooker (24) during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford catches a pass during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens sits on an exercise ball between drills during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Tyler Johnson hurdles an exercise ball tossed toward him after catching a pass during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Shavon Revel (28) breaks up a pass intended for wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (81) during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) leaps past defensive back Josh Butler (31) during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Joe Milton III (10) high fives defensive back Josh Butler during a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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A Dallas Cowboys looks for an autograph after a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Daron Bland signs autographs after a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Kenny Clark talks with reporters after a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams signs autographs after a training camp practice on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif.
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“Caleb gloved him,” Schottenheimer said. “And it was to the point that [I made to the team] about Caleb: He doesn’t repeat mistakes.”
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It’s part of the reason the Cowboys aren’t treating Downs like a normal rookie.
Instead of easing Downs in, the Cowboys have thrown him into the deep end. So far, he’s been swimming, too. He’s been the clear-cut starting nickel corner for the Cowboys throughout minicamp and through two days of training camp. That’s meant he’s also been on the move often. He’s lined up inside the box, he’s gone against Lamb and KaVontae Turpin in the slot, he’s blitzed off the edge, and he’s dropped back and played deep free safety. He’s also worked as a backup personal protector on punt coverage and caught punts.
Schottenheimer said the Cowboys wouldn’t overload Downs, prompting the question: Is that even possible?
“We have instincts that say he can handle a lot of this stuff,” Schottenheimer said. “I think when you go to Alabama and you play as a freshman, in maybe one of the most complex defenses there is, what we saw from him in the spring, and what I want to see from him out here is just to get better every day.
“The mind works incredibly fast. I mean, the way he sees things, the instincts, his ability to diagnose, the communication.”
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It’s always been that way for Downs. His parents recalled when he was 4 years old he used to play with replica figurines of football players from 10 different colleges and pit them against each other on miniature football field mats. It not only showed his interest in football, but his interest in learning about the game. That hasn’t waned.
“Really, I’m just trying to be a student of the game every day,” said Downs, a multi-time All-American and the 11th overall pick in the draft. “I pay attention to route concepts, I pay attention to what we’re trying to do as a defense and put it all together. That’s a big thing in just being able to see the game and make plays when my number is called.”
There have been moments for Downs already when he answered the call. The tight coverage against Lamb during the first practice was one. He had another later when he recovered a fumble forced by outside linebacker Rashan Gary.
There have also been learning moments for Downs, too. Lamb got his revenge on a slant route that went for big yards on Thursday. Downs also had a play where he blitzed off the edge, only to be fooled by quarterback Dak Prescott throwing a screen to Javonte Williams right behind Downs for a big gain.
It probably goes without saying, but the Cowboys don’t expect Downs to replicate those mistakes again. Prescott called him as sharp of a rookie that he’s ever met in over a decade in the league.
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“It’s just film study,” Downs said of his ability to learn and apply it. “The same thing I’ve been doing since I was a kid. Just making sure I’m watching everything that I need to watch and going from there, and making sure that whenever the play comes back, then I make the play then.”
That ability to learn is why the Cowboys also haven’t shied away from high expectations for Downs, as if his starting role already wasn’t an indication.
“I don’t think we can put anything on Caleb Downs that is above what he expects for himself,” Schottenheimer said. “He’s a young player, he’s a rookie, he’s going to make mistakes, but like I said in the spring, and I’ll say it again: Caleb’s not going to … repeat mistakes. And that is a sign of a young man that understands X’s and O’s in football and he’s wired the right way.”
It begs the question: What type of expectations does Downs have for himself? Downs cracked a smile before answering confidently.
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“That’s for me to know,” he said, “and y’all to find out.”
Brian Schottenheimer said yesterday that they wouldn’t put higher expectations on rookie Caleb Downs than he would put on himself.
I asked Downs how high are his expectations.
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.” pic.twitter.com/aQkwA9ytsB
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 30, 2026