The Dallas Cowboys got one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft by taking safety Caleb Downs out of Ohio State at pick No. 11. His immediate role is now clear after Brian Schottenheimer\u2019s comments. <\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium.
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How good was the Dallas Cowboys\u2019 selection of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs<\/a> in the first round? Enough to influence real estate decisions from new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. <\/p>\n \u201cNow I\u2019ll buy a house,\u201d Parker told Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer after the pick, the latter revealed in the post-draft press conference. <\/p>\n After moving up one spot from No. 12 overall, the Cowboys picked Downs with the 11th pick of the draft. Considered one of the smartest players in the class and one of the most versatile players overall, a fair question to ask is: Where will he play in Dallas? <\/p>\n Cowboys confirm suspicion on Caleb Downs role<\/p>\n For Schottenheimer, Downs\u2019 immediate role is clear, even though the team sees him playing multiple spots. Expect Dallas to allow Downs to man the nickel spot. <\/p>\n That should be no surprise, as the Cowboys have have openly described as a need<\/a> earlier in the offseason. That combined with the emergence of the nickel position around the league (and Parker\u2019s emphasis on the position<\/a>) made Downs a likely candidate for the role all along. Now Dallas is openly confirming the suspicion. <\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re talking about a guy we see playing multiple spots,\u201d Schottenheimer said in the Cowboys\u2019 post-draft press conference. \u201cThe starting point for him is going to be playing nickel for us.\u201d<\/p>\n A key part of playing that role is being able to cover speedy receivers and big, physical tight ends alike. All while being a part of the run fit. Schottenheimer and the Cowboys think Downs can do all that. <\/p>\n \u201cYou got a guy like that that is that physical and that athletic, and he\u2019s got the ability to cover receivers and tight ends and also play the run and more importantly drive the defense and make the calls,\u201d Schottenheimer added. <\/p>\n Though the Cowboys didn\u2019t make a huge jump in Round 1, they traded up one spot out of fear of another team jumping in front of them where the Dolphins were picking. Owner and GM Jerry Jones revealed Downs and one other player were they\u2019re only trade up candidates. <\/p>\n On a similar note, Downs was one of four players Schottenheimer told Jerry Jones it would \u201cmake him sick to this stomach\u201d if the Cowboys didn\u2019t get. <\/p>\n Schottenheimer doesn\u2019t expect Downs to rock the green dot as a rookie, as he believes a linebacker will carry that burden. However, the rookie defensive back will have plenty of communication responsibilities on the field. <\/p>\n \u201cThe nickel is going to make a ton of calls,\u201d Schottenheimer revealed. \u201cHe\u2019s going to drive the communication, he handles all the change strength motions, whether we travel, whether we don\u2019t. What you love about what he does is you see it on the film at Ohio State, not only does he speak, but he\u2019s not asking for anyone else\u2019s opinion. He\u2019s making the call, and that\u2019s what you\u2019re doing.\u201d <\/p>\n Downs sets the tone for the rest of the Cowboys draft. Dallas also added edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at pick No. 23 overall. Tomorrow, things will pick up. Using our own mock draft simulator<\/a> (which is already updated for Day 2!), we\u2019re already having fun thinking of the possibilities. <\/p>\n \t\t\t Dallas Cowboys News<\/p>\n![\"Apr](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/USATSI_28797058-200x200.jpg\")
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