Caleb Downs hasn't played a single snap yet with Dallas, but the sensational prospect has already attracted big expectations.
The Dallas Cowboys were overjoyed to bring in former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in the recently concluded NFL Draft.
Downs was touted throughout the draft process as one of, if not, the best prospect in this year's class. However, Dallas saw team after team pass on the former Buckeye until they were able to swap places with the Miami Dolphins to secure him at No. 11 overall.
While his talents were well-documented leading up to his selection, several pundits believe that he could exceed normal expectations for a typical rookie. ...
Though we do wonder if maybe a little too much is being expected right away.
Still ...
Despite his youth, Downs is no stranger to big stages or hefty projections. During his time with Ohio State, he was a leader on the defense in all three seasons, which included a national championship and numerous individual accolades.
One of the most notable of these lofty professional goals comes from Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, who tabbed Downs as the most likely pick from the 2026 NFL Draft class to make the Pro Bowl in the upcoming season.
"Although safeties aren’t premium-position players, Downs will quickly garner respect around the league for his range and ball skills. Defensive backs who rack up pass breakups and generate turnovers have a good chance to make the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team. In the Cowboys’ revamped secondary, Downs could be a do-it-all chess piece who leads the club in multiple defensive categories," wrote Moton.
Downs was assuredly going to make an immediate impact for whoever took him off the board, but he looks to be especially important for a Dallas defensive unit that is trying to turn the page from a disastrous showing a year ago.
To Moton's point, the Cowboys are reshaping the secondary, which allows Downs to potentially see more snaps and showcase the full-field talent that made him such a target for Dallas in the draft.
He won't be alone deep in coverage, however, as Dallas added another new face to the position room. Jalen Thompson was brought in from the Arizona Cardinals to bolster the Cowboys after landing their biggest free-agent contract in over a decade. He is set to earn $33 million on a three-year deal with Dallas.
Thompson's presence could provide a pivotal veteran role for an already-talented Downs to surge to the next level and fulfill the hopes Dallas has for him.
It remains to be seen how Downs' first season donning the star will play out but it seems that folks outside of Dallas are taking note of how special of a player he could turn out to be for the Cowboys.