The Dallas Cowboys had a clear goal for the offseason: Fix their atrocious defense. Team owner/GM Jerry Jones made a point of giving new defensive coordinator Christian Parker all the groceries he needed to cook something special, especially in the NFL Draft.
The Cowboys moved up one spot to make sure Ohio State star Caleb Downs didn't get past them. Not many teams would've traded up to get a safety in the first round, but Downs' tape, measurements, and intangibles show he's no ordinary safety.
That's why, now that the draft dust has settled, it's not much of a surprise to see analysts and experts rave about this move. That was the case with Bleacher Report's Moe Moton, who included Downs in his list of potential rookie All-Pro/Pro-Bowl selections. That only confirms what Cowboy Nation let everyone know when they took him: He was the steal of the draft.
Caleb Downs could be a rookie Pro-Bowler for the Cowboys
"Although safeties aren't premium-position players, Downs will quickly garner respect around the league for his range and ball skills. Defensive backs who rack up pass breakups and generate turnovers have a good chance to make the Pro Bowl or All-Pro team."Moe Morton, Bleacher Report
Safeties aren't considered impactful players, at least not as much as cornerbacks. However, guys like Kyle Hamilton and Nick Emmanwori have defied that notion in recent years, and Downs might be the ultimate game-changer.
Emmanwori's versatility gave the Seattle Seahawks a true Swiss Army knife to get creative on defense. That was the blueprint of the modern defensive backfield, and the Cowboys can now run their own version with Caleb Downs.
Downs can dominate in the box like an additional linebacker and stuff the run like the best of them. He can also excel as the ultimate center fielder when he drops into coverage, shadowing the fastest and most athletic receivers on the field. He can be a big nickel, or do pretty much everything the defense needs him to do.
The Cowboys hired a former defensive back/defensive pass game coordinator Christian Parker to be their new defensive coordinator. Parker should be licking his chops at the thought of having the most dynamic stopper in this class, regardless of the position.
Brian Schottenheimer's team struggled with a historically deficient defense last season, but they had one of the most explosive offenses in the game. If Parker can straighten the course of the ship on the other side of the field, this team could be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
So, even though putting that type of weight and pressure on a first-year player rarely leads to success, Downs was actually the consensus No. 1 player in several people's big board. He was the ultimate steal, and the rest of the league will regret choosing positional value over generational talent.
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