As expected, the Dallas Cowboys invested heavily in their defense in the 2026 NFL Draft. Some questioned their decision to take Malachi Lawrence in the first round, but using their first selection of the night to land Caleb Downs was a major win.
At one point, Downs was considered not only the best defensive player in this class but also the best player overall. However, positional value forced him to slip right into the Cowboys' laps. That's great news for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, but not so much for Markquese Bell.
Markquese Bell may have already played his last snap for the Dallas Cowboys
Downs will get the bulk of the work, whether it's as a big nickel or in a three-safety package with Jalen Thompson and Malik Hooker. P.J. Locke should also be in the mix, even if he's mostly a special teams contributor or a situational player, leaving Bell as the odd man out and the fifth guy in the pecking order.
Bell is coming off making three starts for the Cowboys last season, but he was out there for roughly 30 percent of defensive snaps. Also, with a Pro Football Focus grade of 46.8, the eighth-worst among 98 eligible players, he didn't do himself any favors, either.
Bell has already proven he's a versatile player who won't hesitate to change roles when needed. He's got extensive experience as a linebacker, so perhaps Parker will want to keep him around as insurance and depth at the position. That said, there's no clear path for him to take the field in 2026.
There's still plenty of work and adjusting to do, but as things stand now, it looks like Bell might be fighting for his life in training camp. He'll have to prove he's in the best shape of his career or hope someone gets hurt to climb a couple of spots in the pecking order.
The Cowboys may have landed a true generational talent at safety. That's not necessarily the most valuable position, or at least not as impactful as cornerback, but that doesn't mean Caleb Downs won't be a game-wrecker for Jerry Jones' team.
We already saw what the Seattle Seahawks could do with Nick Emmanwori last season. Downs' positional versatility and ability to dominate in the box and also excel when dropping in coverage are second to none in this class, and he might be a top-10 or maybe even top-5 safety right out of the gate.
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