NFL Draft Experts Grade Cowboys Trade For Caleb Downs: 'A-Plus!'

NFL Draft Experts Grade Cowboys Trade For Caleb Downs: 'A-Plus!'

The Dallas Cowboys made a bold move in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, trading up one spot to No. 11 overall to select former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

It didn’t take long for that decision to resonate across the league, with analysts quickly labeling it one of the strongest picks of the night. For a team looking to reestablish its defensive identity, this selection checked every possible box.

READ MORE: Cowboys Daily Blitz: Dallas Lands Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence in First-Round Grab

In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, he grades every pick from the first round of the draft. And for America's Team taking the former Buckeye, he gives it an eye-popping A++.

And a survey of NFL media experts results in much the same - glowing grades for a great prospect.

Downs entered the draft widely viewed as one of the top overall prospects. What separates him isn’t just athleticism, but his rare football IQ and instincts. He consistently diagnoses plays before they unfold, putting himself in position to make an impact whether he’s defending the pass, supporting the run, or disguising coverage.

READ MORE: 'Wish Upon the Star': Micah Parsons Gives Advice to Cowboys' Caleb Downs

And that is something that the ailing Cowboys' defense could absolutely use right now in order to get back to the level of play that they were a few seasons ago.

Dallas was dead last in the NFL this past season in terms of the passing yards they allowed. ... an embarrassment for a team that once had one of the most formidable defenses in the league.