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Cowboys Trade Up, Draft Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs

8/1/2026

22 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Dallas Cowboys traded up to select safety Caleb Downs 11th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, an All-American at Ohio State who recorded 68 tackles and 2 interceptions.
Brian Schottenheimer praised Downs as a learner who never repeats mistakes, with Christian Parker saying he could help lift a defense that was among the league’s worst.
He recovered a fumble on day one of camp and is earning defensive snaps.

History

Historical Context

After rebuilding in the late 1980s, the Dallas Cowboys used the 28th overall pick in the 1995 draft to select safety Darren Woodson, who anchored a 12-4 defense that captured Super Bowl XXX in January 1996. The franchise’s tradition of spending high draft capital resurfaced in 2026 when it traded up to the 11th spot to draft Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

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Story summary

The Dallas Cowboys traded up to select safety Caleb Downs 11th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, an All-American at Ohio State who recorded 68 tackles and 2 interceptions.
Brian Schottenheimer praised Downs as a learner who never repeats mistakes, with Christian Parker saying he could help lift a defense that was among the league’s worst.
He recovered a fumble on day one of camp and is earning defensive snaps.

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