The Dallas Cowboys opened the 2026 NFL Draft by trading up one spot to secure Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 overall, sending the No. 12 pick along with additional Day 3 selections, including picks 177 and 180, to the Miami Dolphins.
As other teams reportedly pursued the highly rated defensive back, the Cowboys stepped up their efforts and acted fast. The Dolphins used the next pick at No. 12 to select Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor, a 6-foot-7, 352-pound lineman.
Downs, the son of former NFL running back Gary and the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh, enters the NFL with a resume that speaks for itself. With the Crimson Tide in 2023, he started all 14 games and recorded 107 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. After transferring to the Buckeyes in 2024, he amassed 149 tackles, 12.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles across two seasons. His accolades include AP All-American honors in 2024 and 2025, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in both seasons, and the Thorpe Award in his final year.
While the official 2026-27 schedule hasn’t been announced, a Cowboys-Colts matchup is on tap, potentially putting the two brothers on opposite sides of the field.
“(Josh) was like, ‘We play the Cowboys this year,’ Caleb said to the media. “Yeah, you’re going to have a problem. You’re going to have a problem.”
Caleb Downs on getting to play against his brother Josh in the NFL: “He’s like, we play the Cowboys this year. I was like, you’re gonna have a problem.” #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/Jo5QaAhYqa
— Joe Smith (@joesmithwrites) April 24, 2026
The Cowboys are rebuilding a defense that ranked 30th in yards allowed and last in points conceded last season after the Micah Parsons trade. Downs joins safeties Jalen Thompson, P.J. Locke, and Malik Hooker, with DaRon Bland expected at nickel. He also strengthens a defense that added Rashan Gary, Jonathan Bullard, and Malachi Lawrence.
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