The Dallas Cowboys have picked up on OTAs for 2026, and while we've heard some noise this week, one strange development in OTAs with rookie safety Caleb Downs will have some confused.
Downs has reportedly been taking snaps as a punt protector for Bryan Anger and even as a return man for a few snaps. It could just be Nick Sorensen giving him some extra reps if he fits in that department, but he's been on special teams. Anger, as one of the more consistent punters in the NFL, would love to have Downs protecting him.
Downs' presence will instantly help a historically awful defense, but this is also a weird role that maybe some didn't expect. Downs has some history as a punt returner at Ohio State, and the Cowboys should use this little experiment as a gift.
Cowboys using Caleb Downs on special teams is a strange but fine look
Downs has been recorded for returning 10 punts for 185 yards and two scores in his freshman year at Alabama and sophomore year at Ohio State. He doesn't have any stats on punt returns last season, but he's proven to be efficient with the football in his hands.
Tom Downey, the host of Cowboys Report on Chat Sports, reminded everybody underneath Garrett Podell's 'X' post that Downs playing as a return man isn't all that radical, and he replayed his 79-yard punt return for a TD against Indiana in 2024.
JUST HEAR ME OUT OKpic.twitter.com/QzqrE42NXh https://t.co/8X3I2LM9xg
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) June 9, 2026
Downs makes a spin, then heads down the sideline using his blockers and makes a last-second cut to free himself for a score.
Again, are we really that surprised? This kid has everything, and Cowboys fans had every right to be overjoyed when he was picked at No. 11 in the NFL Draft. He is possibly the steal of the entire draft, but it also helped that positional value still mattered. The 2010 NFL Draft was the last time a safety was drafted in the top five (Eric Berry).
The best part: The Cowboys have multiple weapons at that position if they choose to continue experimenting. Three-time Pro Bowler and First-team All-Pro KaVontae Turpin has been a track star ever since he entered the league. He led the NFL with 1,814 return yards last season. That looks like a win on paper, but on the back of that paper, we don't forget how often touchdowns were scored against the Dallas defense last season, leading to a lot of empty calories from Turpin.
There's also Jaydon Blue, who's already back on Brian Schottenheimer's good side, and according to Schotty, Blue is "night and day" compared to last season, and he's only getting started. Blue can use his speed to make a man miss and turn the corner, but he's a name that should be getting punt return reps, too.
WR Traeshon Holden was a training camp star last summer, making phenomenal catches left and right, but there just wasn't enough room for him on the roster. After landing a deal early this calendar year, Holden is back, and maybe he can make an impact on special teams to make the cuts this time around.
Downs playing special teams is nothing more than getting a peek at what all the All-American stud can actually do, but we shouldn't be surprised. It's almost like he can do anything out there.
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