Dallas Cowboys Could Catch Falling Star in NFL Draft

ARLINGTON, TX — With the NFL Draft looming near the end of the month, the Dallas Cowboys could catch a falling star in the first round.

At the beginning of the college football season, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was considered a top 5 pick. After some testing, fans and draft analysts alike see Downs falling down boards a little bit.

Many prospects jump up and down big boards as the NFL Combine and their respective pro day workouts happen. After the combine, linebacker Sonny Styles went from being mocked to Dallas to being mocked in the top 5, usually to the New York Giants. 

There are workout warriors, but a lot of the time, it's players that were overlooked, and their athleticism stands out. That is what Styles did with a historic performance. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash, an 11’2” broad jump, and a 43.5’ vertical jump. Styles is listed at 6’5” and 244 lbs.

His teammate, Downs, was reported to have a bad knee, but it could just be rumors. Either way, using a top 5 pick on a safety would be pretty crazy as only four safeties have been drafted that high. Eric Turner was second overall in 1991, Bennie Blades was third overall in 1988, Sean Taylor was fifth in 2004, and Eric Berry was fifth in 2010. 

More recently, Jamal Adams was drafted by the New York Jets at sixth overall in 2017.

The last time the Cowboys used a first-round pick on a safety was in 2002 when they drafted Roy Williams out of Oklahoma. Coincidentally, that was really the last time the Cowboys had an elite safety.

Caleb Downs could be next.

While safety isn’t considered a premium position, a player of Downs’ caliber falling to 12th overall could force Dallas’ hand. Cornerback is also a huge need for the Cowboys.

Downs was a five-star recruit out of high school and has NFL bloodlines as his father played running back for the New York Giants. His brother, Josh, is a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. His uncle, Dre Bly, has a Super Bowl ring with the Rams.

Downs first played at Alabama and was the Tide’s first freshman to lead the team in tackles. He was only with Alabama until Nick Saban retired. Then he entered the transfer portal and ended up at Ohio State.

While in Columbus, Downs won the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the best defensive back in the nation, and was even mentioned in the Heisman race.

Ultimately, Downs is a versatile piece on the defense and can play deep and close to the line. He can be a nickel back and a linebacker. Downs finished his collegiate career with 257 tackles, 6 interceptions and 1.5 sacks.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker has always had talent on the backend. With the Broncos, he had Justin Simmons and Patrick Surtain. Then with the Eagles he had Reed Blankenship, Darius Slay and Cooper DeJean.

He should be banging the table if Downs is available.

The Cowboys have big issues in the defensive backfield. DaRon Bland is coming off of surgery, and Shavon Revel did not get an offseason last year. Dallas has picked up safeties Jalen Thompson and PJ Locke.

Also, the last time Dallas picked a falling star, CeeDee Lamb, he turned into one of the best receivers in the NFL.

The NFL Draft begins Thursday, April 23.