Cowboys Trade Up for Safety Caleb Downs

0:00On April 24, Dallas Cowboys just made a bold move in the 2026 NFL draft, trading up from 12th overall to 11th with the Miami. Dolphins. They gave up their 12th pick, plus two fifth round compensatory picks, numbers 177 and 180 to Snaggle Highell State Safety Caleb. Downs. After a brutal 2025 season, where they gave up 30.1 points per game, the worst in the league, were laser focused on fixing their defense. Earlier this week, top 10 picks had everyone on edge, with the Cowboys eyeing downs alongside a couple edge rushers. But once the Giants took an offensive tackle at 10, Dallas pounced to beat any jumpers. Vice President Wilma Clay said they only had 12 first round grades total, and downs was a must have to shore up that nickel spot in the past. Defense. Jerry Jones called it big time insurance, straight up terrified of losing him like past hard breaks. He compared the thrill to the Mavericks, beating 1.8% odds to grab Cooper Flagg in the

1:042025 NBA lottery. Coaches were hyped to headman Brian Shanheimer, had downs second on his canned mislist, and even defensive coordinator Christian Parker joked. He finally buy a house now. Downs popped on their radar, as a freshman at Alabama, under Nick Sabin, then transferred to Ohio State, winning a national title Big 10 runner up. Consensus all American nods, and the Jim Thorpe Award as top defensive back. His pre-snaps smarts fix Dallas's coverage busts, and miscommunications from last year, when they allow 251.5 passing yards, per game without veteran Jordan Lewis. This pick locks in their nickel game plan with the first of two first rounders, now 11th and 23rd overall. One steps in as the quarterback of the defense, handling motions and lining everyone up, expect him to multiply that backfield impact right away, and turn things around. That's your NFL News Today update, AI powered and always on.