Dallas Cowboys fans are getting to love Caleb Downs more and more. As he continues to make play after play and break up passes, even against CeeDee Lamb, the New York Giants are further reminded every day that they had two chances to get arguably the best player in the draft.
However, the Giants didn't do that, and instead took linebacker Arvell Reese and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Not bad selections at all, but Giants head coach John Harbaugh fell in love with Downs months before the draft, and he has a history of selecting top-tier safeties, like Ed Reed, as the former Ravens coach.
Downs continues to prove why he's going to shine immediately. Everybody thinks so, and we should put a stamp of approval on Jerry Jones' desk for the move he made. The Giants had not one but two chances to do it, and didn't.
Cowboys are proving to the Giants every day that they missed two golden chances to select him in the draft
When the Giants were on the clock, Cowboys fans were likely on the edge of their seat, waiting for Downs' name to be called. Two times the Giants were on the clock, and while they got long-term protection for Jaxson Dart and maybe the best linebacker in the draft, they missed out on the best talent with the best long-term ceiling.
But to be fair to the Giants, they need help at almost every position, so they had to pick and choose in the draft.
Todd McShay, an NFL draft analyst, wrote about why Downs is the new Reed (subscription required). He's flustering the first-team wide receivers in training camp, and he's looking like the real deal at this point. He's also been shown to stop the run, but his pass coverage is on everyone's mind.
TRENDING: Caleb Downs has been a NIGHTMARE for the Cowboys offense.
— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) August 5, 2026
One NFL scout reportedly believes Downs “showcases” similar abilities to Ed Reed (Former Ravens S).
The Cowboys rookie safety is going to be a PROBLEM in this league 🔒😳 pic.twitter.com/zomo2IqXSS
DeMarvion Overshown may be the leader on defense this season and is a strong candidate to wear the green dot. He says the rookie has been giving it his all.
"We're not even looking at [Caleb Downs] as a rookie. We're looking at him as a guy that's going to change this defense around, going to change the culture. He's won at every level of football."
We haven't even gotten to his hard-hitting and physicality yet. He got into a dust-up with Brevyn Spann-Ford, showing he won't be intimidated.
Christian Parker and Brian Schottenheimer have talked about who the green dot would be. It probably won't be Downs because he's still a rookie, and he should play free without having too much adult responsibility yet. However, he has already been tested at the main communications decision, which says a lot about the youngster.
It's too early to say if he's going to be Reed, or Troy Polamalu, or Brian Dawkins, but there's a special gift in Downs that the Giants clearly missed.
The Giants may have missed out, but either way, the Cowboys needed Downs more than anyone else. He's going to change this offense on Day 1.
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