The Dallas Cowboys emerged as the second team to make an NFL Draft trade. Except Jerry Jones and company didn’t need to move far: Making a deal with the Miami Dolphins to claim the 11th pick. Ohio State football star Caleb Downs arrived in the move.
ESPN NFL insider revealed the full trade details involving Dallas and Miami.
Trade
Cowboys get: No. 11
Dolphins get: No. 12, No. 177, No. 180 https://t.co/LzGwBaCR6A
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 24, 2026
Downs entered the draft hearing praise including from former head coach Ryan Day. The versatile safety even drew praise and a stirring comparison from legendary Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.
“A guy like Caleb Downs, to me, is a guy that is one of those types of guys that you can put him anywhere on the field – reminds me a lot of Troy Polamalu,” Cowher said on The Dan Patrick Show Thursday. “Troy Polamalu was a really disruptive player.”
Downs garnered top 10 praise. But he ends up slipping out of the first 10 picks. Yet he fills a massive need for the Cowboys.
Dallas ranked 32nd overall in passing yards allowed. Donovan Wilson led the defense in interceptions, but snatched just two.
The Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after their dismal defensive showing. Eberflus, the former Chicago Bears head coach, lasted just one season as DC.
Christian Parker leads the defense now. Parker’s area of expertise is defensive back play, which bodes greatly for Downs. The new DC also worked with Philadelphia Eagles star Cooper DeJean, who played in his first Pro Bowl this past season and owns one Super Bowl ring.
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