The Cowboys received high grades from major outlets for their 2026 draft class, particularly praising safety Caleb Downs. Analysts also noted potential in edge rusher Malachi Lawrence despite his early selection.
Key points
Cowboys earned high grades from major outlets for 2026 draft
Caleb Downs praised for being selected outside top 10
Malachi Lawrence's potential noted despite early selection
Other draft picks received mixed reviews
Players seen as depth pieces with varying potential
2026 Draft report card: Cowboys earn high grades from most major outlets
The report card has come, and this while this one may not hang on the refrigerator long-term or get slipped into the box of keepsakes in the attic, it likely won't get the Cowboys in any trouble.
Scanning some of the major outlets the day after the NFL draft wrapped up, the Cowboys earned good to very good grades from nearly everyone. There was unanimous praise for safety Caleb Downs, especially with Dallas landing him outside the top 10. And most analysts saw enough upside in edge rusher Malachi Lawrence to forgive the Cowboys for grabbing him a little earlier than pre-draft rankings may have suggested.
The rest of the Cowboys' 2026 draft class got mixed reviews, with Jaishawn Barham, Drew Shelton, Devin Moore, LT Overton, and Anthony Smith all being seen as depth pieces with varying degrees of potential as contributors, depending on who was doing the evaluating.
And don't forget that the club traded for 49ers linebacker Dee Winters in the middle of the weekend. That will mean an improvement to the middle level of the Dallas defense and should count as extra credit toward the Cowboys' overall draft score.
Q&A
What grades did the Cowboys receive for their 2026 draft class?
The Cowboys earned good to very good grades from nearly all major outlets for their 2026 draft class.
Who was praised the most in the Cowboys' 2026 draft?
Safety Caleb Downs received unanimous praise for being selected outside the top 10.
What is the evaluation of edge rusher Malachi Lawrence?
Analysts saw enough upside in Malachi Lawrence to overlook his earlier selection than pre-draft rankings suggested.
How were the other players in the Cowboys' 2026 draft class evaluated?
The rest of the draft class received mixed reviews, with players like Jaishawn Barham and Drew Shelton seen as depth pieces with varying potential.
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The result? Final grades that are all tightly bunched in the A-and-B range. Nobody thought Dallas aced the draft with a perfect mark, but no one gave them anything lower than a B-, either.
For most of us, that kind of report card would still have earned us a trip to Red Lobster to celebrate.
The Cowboys had a savvy Day 1 by trading up for Downs, a do-it-all playmaker, and later gaining two extra fourth-rounders from the Eagles to trade down and land Lawrence, who offers plenty of upside. Dallas was wise not to get caught up in replacing Micah Parsons with one of the top edge rushers in this draft. Instead, the Cowboys got a leader in the secondary with Downsâthe secondary desperately needed helpâand they now have depth on the edge with Lawrence, Barham and Overton, veteran Rashan Gary and last yearâs second-round pick, Donovan Ezeiruaku.
The Cowboys have done exactly what they seemingly set out to do when they traded away superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons, adding a horde of playmakers to what looks to be an ascending defensive core. Coming out of the first round with uber-versatile safety Caleb Downs and explosive pass-rusher Malachi Lawrence gives Dallas two day-one impact players. Downs could be the straw-that-stirs-the-drink type defensive back for the Cowboys for years, bringing instincts and skill to multiple spots in the back end. And Lawrence (who was attained with one of the picks acquired in the Parsons trade) takes some much needed heat off the edge, showing twitchy movement skills and top-tier closing burst. The addition of linebacker Jaishawn Barham could bring immediate return, too: Heâs a tenacious, highly physical defender with experience playing off the ball (where heâll reportedly start for the Cowboys) and off the edge as a situational rusher. Add in a draft-day trade for 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (for this yearâs fifth-round pick), and the Cowboys defense could look a whole lot differentâand much improvedâin 2026 and beyond.
The Cowboys had plans to load up on defense with no real offensive concerns except getting some tackle help which they did. Jerry Jones delivered a lot more pop for the pass defense that needed it with new coordinator Christian Parker. They did a good job trying to emulate the Seahawks' deep pass rush by committee.
This was the year of positional value not mattering. It was a weak class at premium positions with elite prospects at non-premium spots. That was the widespread mantra of draftniks in this class and many used it as a reason to push certain players up their boards. With all of that drumbeat heading into the draft, it baffles me that Caleb Downs was available at 11th overall. Downs is an instinctive pass defender who can also step in to stop the run. He does a lot of everything at an elite level. Downs was a steal for Dallas.
With their second-first round pick, Dallas took a bigger swing (read: more risk) on Malachi Lawrence. Heâs a speed demon with good production, but his size (6â4/253) could make him a liability against the run, which was not his strong suit in college.
As expected, the Cowboys didnât let their foot off the gas when it came to drafting defensive talents. Jaishawn Barham has a unique profile. He split his time between off-ball and EDGE duties in college. He posted his best numbers at Michigan in 2025, tallying 10 TFLs and four sacks. Iâm not entirely sure what his role will look like in the NFL, but Iâm intrigued.
Moving up one spot to get the best safety in the draft â Caleb Downs â at No. 11 was an excellent move for the defense. Moving back three spots to No. 23 might have cost them a better option but ended up Malachi Lawrence, who wasnât a consensus first-round pick. Edge Jaishawn Barham (92), CB Devin Moore (114) and edge LT Overton (137) give new defensive coordinator Christian Parker more talent to develop. OT Drew Shelton (112) has high upside.
Dallas had the steal of the first round, trading two fifth-round picks to move up one spot for Downs; he should be a long-time defensive leader able to make plays in the deep half, flat and the box. The 'Boys moved down from Green Bay's first-round selection, acquired in the Micah Parsons trade, to pick Lawrence, who has potential because of his length and athleticism but carries risk as a late riser in the evaluation process. They traded their original Day 2 picks for veterans Quinnen Williams and George Pickens but were still able to select Barham, a versatile second-level defender, in the third round after sending defensive lineman Osa Odighizuwa to the 49ers back in March.
Shelton's 2025 game tape did not scream fourth-round pick to me, but the team can develop him into a swing tackle in time. Dallas received two fourth-round picks from Philadelphia in the teams' first-round trade. They used one of those selections on the physical but injury-plagued Moore and the other on Overton, who might compete to replace Osa Odighizuwa on the interior. The Cowboys filled a glaring need by trading a fifth-round pick to the 49ers for LB Dee Winters. Look for Smith to fight for a roster spot as a receiver who can stretch the field.
The Caleb Downs selection was a no-brainer and a home run. Heâs talented and a leader who will solidify the back end of a defense that desperately needs it. Iâm a little cooler on Malachi Lawrence, whom I was more comfortable taking later than in the first round. But Lawrence has speed and can get after the quarterback, a skill set thatâs always valued. Drew Shelton has talent but was inconsistent, so he gives offensive coordinator Klayton Adams an interesting project to work with. LT Overton had a disappointing season, but heâs heavy-handed and can move along the defensive line. His inside-outside ability will make him useful.
Barham is a twitchy athlete who is relentless in getting after the ball carrier. He had experience as an edge defender and lining up off-ball in college. While he had flashes at both spots, he can work himself out of plays when aligned off the ball at linebacker and lacks ideal size on the edge. That might not make him a player for everybody. He does both well enough that thereâs potential if heâs able to continue to hone his talent. And heâs actually a cleaner fit in Christian Parkerâs defensive scheme than youâd think if used like how Zack Baun was in Philadelphia, another tweener-type moved off-ball with forays on the edge.
The talk of draft season was that the Cowboys would trade up if one of their favorite defensive prospects was there for the taking. They were also identified as a trade-down candidate with their No. 20 pick. Jerry Jones made both of those predictions come to life -- all while securing a couple of terrific defensive prospects to fill his team's glaring needs.
Caleb Downs remaining on the board outside the top 10 was the catalyst for a transaction with the Dolphins. He has the potential to be a long-term leader of this defense.
All kinds of help is on the way in the edge rusher unit. This group was a glaring weakness following the Micah Parsons trade and became the focal point of Dallas' draft plans. Malachi Lawrence was available at No. 23 after the Cowboys made an intra-division swap with the Eagles, Jaishawn Barham came off the board the following day and LT Overton made it three consecutive days with an edge rusher pick.
The Cowboys got one of the steals in the draft, selecting Caleb Downs with the 11th selection. Heâs a versatile safety with a complete game who can be used in a variety of roles. Iâm not sold on the teamâs other pick in Round 1, Malachi Lawrence, and feel heâll need a bit of time before heâs NFL-ready. His upside is enormous, but the production and consistency were concerns for me last season. Jaishawn Barham is a terrific player, and I was glad to see him land in the third round. Heâll be a great fit in the Dallas defense. Fourth-round selections Drew Shelton and Devin Moore both have great upside and were terrific picks. Seventh-round pick Anthony Smith is a speedy wideout with big-play ability. He could make the roster.
Best pick: Downs. Dallas got one of this year's top three prospects outside the top 10, and he fits a position of need.
Sleeper pick: EDGE LT Overton. Overton has significant questions to answer about whether his athleticism and consistency will translate on Sundays, but the big lineman spent the last four years haunting SEC offenses and will have a wonderful opportunity to shine in Dallas' needy pass rush.
Potential reach: Lawrence. He's got a high ceiling and brings a badly needed pass rush, but his lack of bend could limit his success against experienced tackles.
Downs: As is often the case with safety prospects, Downs slid further than he appeared on most big boards. Dallas traded up one spot to ensure it got its guy. Itâs hard to find much fault with Downsâ college career, as he earned 85.0-plus PFF grades in three consecutive seasons â one at Alabama and two at Ohio State. He should be a stabilizing force on the back end for a Dallas secondary that ranked last in PFF coverage grade as a unit in 2025.
Lawrence: Lawrence joins 2025 first-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku and Rashan Gary as notable additions on the edge over the past year after the team traded away Micah Parsons. Lawrence profiles as a rotational pass rusher who could make an early impact in that role, coming off an 89.5 PFF pass-rush grade last season at UCF. This pick profiles as a reach to address a need, with Lawrence coming in around No. 50 on the Consensus Big Board.
Barham: Barham presents a challenging evaluation as a tweener, but his profile carries clear upside. He earned a 79.3 PFF grade in 2025 and ranked 14th among edge defenders in wins above average (0.23), which reflects strong overall impact. He stands out as a disruptive run defender and offers flashes as a pass rusher, supported by an explosive athletic profile, though his lighter frame may limit his role at the next level. The overall projection points to a mid-round sleeper with the potential to develop into a valuable contributor in the right scheme.
Shelton: Shelton delivered his best season at Penn State in 2025, earning a 70.6 PFF overall grade. However, his transition inside will require improvement in the run game, where he owns a 54.7 career PFF grade.
Moore: Moore is an appealing Day 2 prospect with a strong blend of length, speed and ball skills for press-man coverage, though his injury history could impact his draft position.
Overton: Overton fits best as a 3-4 defensive end with inside-out versatility. He can contribute in a 4-3 as a power end, but his lack of bend and stride length limits his ability to consistently threaten the edge.
Smith: Smith has been efficient throughout his extended college career, averaging 2.42 yards per route run with 5.9 yards after the catch per reception. Ball security and run blocking have limited his profile, but his quickness and 6-foot-2 frame could still earn him a look at the next level.
They traded up in Round 1 (S Caleb Downs, 11th overall). They traded down in Round 1 (OLB Malachi Lawrence, 23rd overall). They spent three additional picks on a defense that gave up the most points in the league in 2025. They used their third-round pick as part of the trade for WR George Pickens last spring â a great move in the short run, but a tenuous situation that will apparently bleed over into 2027. As with most things Cowboys, it can be interpreted a number of ways. But good luck finding anyone who thinks Lawrence, essentially part of the package from Green Pay as part of the 2025 Parsons mega-deal, and others will ultimately be worth the ultimate cost.
Caleb Downs, Alabama
Caleb Downs, Alabama
Caleb Downs, Alabama
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) intercepts a pass from Michigan quarterback Davis Warren (not in the photo) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
Ohio State football safety Caleb Downs makes an interception during the third period during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, November 30, 2024 in Ohio Stadium.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
Oct 4, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) enters the field before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Ohio State Buckeyes safeties coach Matt Guerrieri yells at defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during warm ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) makes ain interception on a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after sacking Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) in the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) takes the field for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs (DB34) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs gets measured during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses with his parents Gary Downs and Tanya Shorter Downs on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Cowboys 2026 NFL Draft Day 3 Live Tracker: Pick-By-Pick Analysis
Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Caleb Downs, Alabama
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (2) intercepts a pass from Michigan quarterback Davis Warren (not in the photo) during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State football safety Caleb Downs makes an interception during the third period during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, November 30, 2024 in Ohio Stadium.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Oct 4, 2025; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) enters the field before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes safeties coach Matt Guerrieri yells at defensive back Caleb Downs (2) during warm ups prior to the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Gies Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Oct. 11, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) warms up during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) makes ain interception on a pass intended for Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Khalil Dinkins (16) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 1, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after sacking Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) in the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.
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Newest Cowboys safety Caleb Downs' rookie deal has $17.8M first check
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates during the NCAA football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Nov. 29, 2025. Ohio State won 27-9.
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Caleb Downs already changing Cowboys' thought process: 'This guy is different'
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs (2) takes the field for warm-ups prior to the NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Nov. 15, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Grading each Cowboys 2026 draft pick based on fit, value, potential
Feb 26, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs (DB34) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs gets measured during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs catches a ball during Pro Day for NFL scouts at the Woody Hayes Athletics Center on March 25, 2026.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates an interception with cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. (7) abnd linebacker Sonny Styles (0) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Grambling State Tigers at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 6, 2025.
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses with his parents Gary Downs and Tanya Shorter Downs on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA;Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs poses on the red carpet before the 2026 NFL Draft at Point State Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Pic Gallery: Cowboys newest safety Caleb Downs
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images