Cowboys Draft Caleb Downs: Game-Changing Safety

0:00On April 24, Dallas Cowboys just made a slick move in the draft, trading of one spot from number 12 to number 11 with the Miami Dolphins. They gave up two fifth round picks to snag Caleb Downs, the versatile safety out of Ohio State. This guy's not your typical first round safety, but his skills make him a steal at that position. Downs brings serious range, having played under Nick Saban at Alabama right out the gate, then locking down the back end for Ohio State the last two. He can slide into the box, handle nickel duties, or crash near the line, all with elite football smarts that let him replays on the fly. Folks around the league are buzzing because the Cowboys don't usually reach this high for safety, but they see him as a game changer for their secondary. His physicality sets the tone, and that high IQ could make him the quarterback of the defense, calling out signals like a green dot wearer. Scouts rave about his coverage skills in zone, or man, plus he's a ball-hawk who runs hot on blitzes and stuffs the run.

1:00Sure, he sometimes over pursues or needs to wrap up tackles better, and his size might get tested by bigger receivers, but those are coachable tweaks. With defensive coordinator, Christian Parker scheming around him, Downs could redefine Dallas' backfield for years, turning a solid unit into something ferocious. Keep an eye on training camp, that versatility is about to pay dividends.