The Dallas Cowboys drafted Ohio State safety Caleb Downs 11th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Dallas’ defense struggled mightily last season. So needless to say, selecting Downs, who’s considered the top safety prospect in the draft, made a ton of sense for the franchise.
Caleb Downs Listed as a Perfect Fit with the Cowboys
Spotlighting His Career
Caleb Downs attended Mill Creek High School, located in Hoschton, Georgia. He played football, basketball, and baseball. Considered the nation’s top safety prospect, he was named the 2023 USA Today Defensive Football Player of the Year.
Downs received college offers from schools such as Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Yet, he ultimately chose Alabama. During his debut season with the Crimson Tide, Downs recorded 107 combined tackles and two interceptions. For his efforts, he was named SEC Freshman of the Year.
Downs then transferred to Ohio State. In his first year with the Buckeyes, he was an unanimous All-American and was named First-Team All-Big Ten. He also helped the team win a national championship. He finished the season with 82 tackles and two interceptions.
In 2025, Downs was a unanimous All-American once again and took home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the top defensive back in college football. Downs finished with 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a sack. He then declared for the NFL draft.
Does Downs Fit Perfectly with the Cowboys?
The Cowboys had a disappointing 2025 season. They finished with a 7-9-1 record and missed the playoffs. Led by quarterback Dak Prescott, the wide receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, as well as running back Javonte Williams, the Cowboys possessed a great offense last season. However, the team’s struggling defense is perhaps the main reason for missing the playoffs.
For the first time in franchise history, the Cowboys allowed more than 30 points per game (30.1) and gave up a team-record 511 points. Their secondary was picked apart as opposing quarterbacks completed 68.5% of their passes. Even Russell Wilson (New York Giants) torched Dallas’ defense, throwing for 450 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2.
With that said, the Cowboys could certainly use a top-notch safety like Downs, who could develop into an NFL superstar. Undoubtedly one of the leaders on the Buckeyes’ defense, Downs displays excellent instincts and physicality. He’s also extremely versatile. He can play all across the defense, whether it’s deep half, post safety, in the box, on the line of scrimmage, or blitzing the backfield.
