Cowboys 'safety' Caleb Downs: 'You want playmakers? That's what I am'

Selected 11th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Ohio State product has the skillset, football IQ, and athleticism to become a genuine star at the next level.

In 2024, he helped the Buckeyes to a national title, earning unanimous All-American honours for his efforts. In 2025, he added the Jim Thorpe Award, the Lott Trophy, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and another unanimous All-American award to his list of accolades.

On Monday, Downs joined 105.3 The Fan to talk about what he brings to Dallas and who his favourite safety was growing up.

Alex Slitz / Staff

Downs can line up almost anywhere for Dallas

As the "quarterback of the defense", Dallas believes they're getting a player who can fix a lot of what went wrong in that secondary last season.

They're not wrong to think that way. At Ohio State, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia moved him all over the field, from safety to the nickel and even at linebacker.

The results were extraordinary.

Downs doesn't see himself as having a fixed position.

"I would say I'm a defensive player," he said. "Being able to play near the line of scrimmage, being able to play in the second level, third level, being able to do a lot of different things.

"I would just say a full-rounded player. If you're a full-rounded player that can make plays in all facets of your defense and make your defense better, that's who you want on your team.

"At the end of the day, you want playmakers, and that's what I am."

His former coach at Alabama, where Downs spent the 2023 season, would agree.

Downs' favourite safety was Earl Thomas

Downs grew up idolising the player he now draws comparisons to.

"I grew up in the Seattle Seahawks, 2012, 2013, when they had the Legion of Boom," he said. "I used to love watching Earl Thomas."

Christian Petersen / Staff

Thomas was renowned for his abilities as a deep safety, but as a proven winner who could elevate everyone around him, the comparison to Downs makes sense.

If Downs can achieve half of what Thomas managed in his career, including a Super Bowl win, seven Pro Bowl nods, and a spot in the All-Decade Team, he'll make GM and owner Jerry Jones look like a genius.

Can Downs fix the Cowboys' defense?

The Cowboys' offseason programme got underway at The Star in Frisco on Monday, with the rookie minicamp to follow later this week.

Downs won't be in for voluntary workouts just yet. But when he does arrive, he's walking into a defense that desperately needs him.

"We have changed the concept of what we're doing defensively," Jones said after spending five of their seven picks on that side of the ball.

Downs is the centrepiece of that change. Think Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James, or Nick Emmanwori - chess pieces who can do it all.