Caleb Downs joins a Dallas Cowboys team that went 7-9-1 in the 2025 season, missing the playoffs for the second straight season. First-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer, quarterback Dak Prescott, and wide receivers George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb led the Cowboys to the No. 2 scoring offense in the NFL last season.
Dallas struggled on the other side of the ball, allowing the most points of all NFL teams and finishing last in pass defense. Team President, Owner and General Manager Jerry Jones decided to trade up one spot in the 2026 NFL Draft with the Miami Dolphins to select safety Caleb Downs, a safety from the Ohio State Buckeyes, with the No. 11 overall pick in the first round.
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On Monday, in anticipation of the first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8 p.m. ET, Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Nick Harris reported that the franchise has to make a decision on its rookie safety. Harris wrote that he spoke with head coach Schottenheimer, who relayed that, for the most part, starters will not play during the preseason and that the team is still deciding whether Downs will play.
"No surprise: Cowboys won’t play starters in the preseason," Harris wrote. "Per HC Brian Schottenheimer. Decision is still being made on Caleb Downs getting preseason playing time."
Downs left college as a national champion and adorned with honors such as the Jim Thorpe Award, the Lott Trophy and recognition as a two-time unanimous All-American. As a senior, the 21-year-old had 68 tackles, one pass deflection, one sack, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
The Dallas Cowboys will open the 2026 NFL regular season by traveling to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 8:20 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC and Peacock.
