Not only was Ohio State safety Caleb Downs widely viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the Dallas Cowboys clearly agreed. After unexpectedly sliding to No. 11 overall, Downs has quickly become one of the biggest storylines of the draft.
Downs has had a wide range of comparisons, but on Friday morning, The Herd’s Colin Cowherd didn’t hold back, viewing the Cowboys as clear winners of the NFL Draft. It’s not just about Downs being a great player, but he believes he’s the steal of the draft.
Cowherd didn’t hold back on his show, even drawing a comparison between Downs and former Baltimore Ravens safety and Hall of Famer Ed Reed.
“You can not do better than what the Dallas Cowboys did with their first pick,” Cowherd said. “I think he’s going to be the best Buckeye in the draft. … I thought last year, he was good enough to be a top-three pick in the draft. I think he’s an incredible Ed Reed-level player.”
Downs is coming off a strong junior season with the Buckeyes, recording 68 total tackles, 45 of them solo, along with two interceptions. He also forced two fumbles and added a sack, showcasing his versatility all over the field.
He didn’t test as athletically as many of his Buckeyes teammates, but Downs has built his reputation on instincts, anticipation, and elite football IQ. Despite playing a position that is often undervalued, he became one of the most versatile defenders in the sport.
That production and versatility have only reinforced the belief that he can immediately anchor a secondary at the next level.
“He got overshadowed because they [Ohio State] have a few freaks in Arvell Reese and Sonny Types they usually’re simply bodily specimens,” Cowherd mentioned. “Finest soccer participant is Caleb Downs. He is a good, nice participant, so Dallas hit an absolute dwelling run.”
For Cowherd, Downs’ mix of manufacturing, instincts and flexibility appears to make him a uncommon defensive addition able to remodeling a secondary from Day 1.
In a Cowboys protection that struggled final season with no constant game-changing presence, Downs might step in as that difference-maker. If he lives as much as the billing, Dallas could have landed one of many defining picks of your complete draft.
The number of Downs wasn’t the one manner the Cowboys addressed their protection within the first spherical of the NFL Draft. Additionally they chosen UCF defensive finish Malachi Lawrence with the twenty third total choose after buying and selling down a number of picks with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lawrence had been considered as a possible second-round choose by most draft analysts. FOX Sports activities draft analyst Rob Rang truly had Lawrence ranked 50th on his big board. However Cowherd understood why Dallas reached to get him.
“Their subsequent choose was a attain, however I’ll defend the choose,” Cowherd mentioned. “[Lawrence] will not be for subsequent season. Once they traded Micah Parsons, your complete cause they did it was in order that they may get 4 or 5 guys. Nicely, they traded Micah Parsons they usually now have Rashan Gary, Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. They nonetheless have DeMarvion Overshown, who I like, however he will get banged up however he is good. This child will not be going to play a ton subsequent season. That is OK. I can dwell with that.”
The Cowboys continued so as to add to their protection by way of a lot of the draft as effectively. They chose Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham within the third spherical earlier than including Florida cornerback Devin Moore and Alabama defensive deal with LT Overton with the 2 fourth-round picks they acquired from the Eagles.
