Cowboys Target Top Safety Caleb Downs

0:00On April 18, Dallas Cowboys just beefed up their safety spot with free agent pick-ups, Jalen Thompson and PJ. Locke, linking up with vet Malik Hooker for a solid foundation heading into the draft. But they might still swing for a star like Caleb Downs, the top safety out of Ohio State, who 6-speed tall, 206 pounds, and clock day, 4.45 in the 40. Downs burst onto the scene as a true freshman at Alabama, leading the team with 107 tackles, something no other rookie had done there. Before, he transferred to Ohio State, racked up 256 career tackles, earned all American honors, and scooped major defensive back awards over, two stellar seasons. Fans and scouts love his brain on the field. He reads routes like a coach, communicates to keep the secondary tight, and closes on the ball with no hesitation. That said, he's super disciplined, playing it safe over gambling for picks, so his takeaway numbers stay modest, more reliable than flashy.

1:03He fits perfect in defensive coordinator, Christian Parker's pattern match scheme, handling quick decisions in the box or deep coverage with high, effort and smarts. Projected as a top 10 pick, Cowboys hold the 12th spot, so grabbing him would lock in a leader to sink the defense right away. Picture Downs anchoring that back end, turning breakdowns into shutdowns and giving corners room to feast. This could be the move that elevates. Dallas is D for years.