OXNARD
The Dallas Cowboys needed a playmaker to rebuild one of the worst defenses in franchise history. They found one by moving up one spot in the draft.
Dallas had Downs ranked among the top five players on its board. When the Miami Dolphins were on the clock at No. 11 and Downs was still available, the Cowboys traded with Miami to move up one spot. The Cowboys initially held No. 12.
Downs brings a college résumé spanning two historic programs. He began at Alabama under Nick Saban, then transferred to Ohio State, where he earned two-time All-American status and was part of a national championship team. In 2025, he received the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation's best defensive back.
The Cowboys expect Downs to play a large role immediately. Training camp is underway at River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard, and early reports from camp are positive.
Dallas has described Downs as a "multiplier" — a player who elevates the performance of those around him. The organization sees him as capable of becoming a quarterback of the defense, directing traffic from Day 1.
Downs played safety at both Alabama and Ohio State but also served as a frequent nickel corner for the Buckeyes. In Christian Parker's defense, the nickel role requires matching up against a team's top slot receiver, filling run gaps and maintaining defensive integrity on every snap. Downs' comfort in that role is a primary reason Dallas views him as a fit.
His skill set spans multiple areas. His strength is defending the middle of the field, but he can cover deep, fill the run from downhill and rush the passer. That combination pushed him high on Dallas' draft board.
The roster around him has also shifted. Dallas traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa and signed Otito Ogbonnia, another former UCLA product, to fill that void. Ogbonnia enters behind Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. Jonathan Bullard, now on his seventh NFL team, also signed this offseason, adding size and experience to the defensive tackle position.
At safety, the Cowboys are counting on Jalen Thompson to step into a field general role alongside Downs. Thompson's experience provides the veteran presence that complements a rookie learning the speed and complexity of an NFL defense.
The Cowboys' front office had Downs in their top five. Every other team thought he'd be gone before No. 11. He's in Dallas now.
