Caleb Down was born and built for this.
And the new, big name for the Dallas Cowboys could finally be the answer to Jerry Jones’ Super Bowl dream.
Downs has gridiron roots from Alabama to Ohio State
The Cowboys leapt forward in the 2026 NFL Draft to select Downs, a 6ft and 205lb defensive back who starred for Alabama and Ohio State in college.
Dallas moved up one spot to ensure that it could take the 21-year-old Georgia native at No. 11 overall, sending the Nos. 12, 177 and 180 picks to the rebuilding Miami Dolphins in exchange for a two-time All-American, Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year and Jim Thorpe award winner.
“He was a prize for us sitting there,” said Jones, whose net worth is estimated at $19 billion but hasn’t won a Super Bowl since the 1995 NFL season.
“I was just thinking of the times that we’ve been the next pick and had somebody move up and get him. We had every reason to think that that might be happening. … Didn’t want to lose him.”
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Downs has been one of the Cowboys’ biggest stars in training camp and drawn raves for his practice precision.
He’s locked up Dallas teammate and five-time Pro Bowler CeeDee Lamb, while videos of Downs patrolling the Cowboys’ defensive secondary have quickly gone viral.
“Caleb gonna be THAT GUY,” one fan posted on social media.
“From an Eagles fan, y’all got possibly the best player in the draft,” a second fan wrote.
Early favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year
The Cowboys face the reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and New Orleans Saints in preseason action.
Downs is then expected to receive his first NFL start when Dallas travels to New York on September 13 for a Week 1 contest vs Jaxson Dart, John Harbaugh and the new-look Giants.
“I think it’s just being able to make plays in all facets of the game,” Downs said after being drafted. “Whether that’s near the line of scrimmage or in the deep part of the field, I feel like I could do it all and it’ll be a great relationship to be able to do that with the Cowboys.”
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NFL family tree helped build Downs’ pedigree
Downs’ older brother is NFL wide receiver Josh Downs, who played college ball at North Carolina and has 198 catches for 2,140 yards and 11 touchdowns in 47 games for the Indianapolis Colts.
The Cowboys face the Colts on the road in Week 9 this season, which means that Downs could be forced to defend Josh on the field.
Downs’ father is Gary Downs, who spent six years in the NFL as a running back with the Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos and Giants.
And Downs’ uncle is Dre’ Bly, who won a Super Bowl and earned two Pro Bowl selections as an 11-year defensive back with the St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Broncos.
“Just being around the game has allowed me to grow a lot with my knowledge of football and how I see the game,” Downs told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Cowboys make big investment in rookie star
Downs signed a fully guaranteed four-year, $28.9m deal that featured a $17m signing bonus and average annual salary of $7.2m
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He’s been associated with Panini America, Adidas Football, Beats by Dre and American Eagle in endorsements, and earned an estimated $2.5m in NIL money during his college days.
The Cowboys are one of the most famous sports teams in the world, while Jones has built a financial monster that possesses more value than the New England Patriots, Manchester United and Real Madrid.
But it’s been 31 years since Dallas won a Super Bowl and the Cowboys’ defense — which took a major hit when an unhappy Micah Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers — ranked last in the NFL in average points allowed (30.1) last season.
Downs must initially focus on locking down his rookie position in 2026 and playing up to his first-round potential.
He’s a former five-star recruit who loves to create disruption at the line of scrimmage and roams the field with big-play awareness.
But there’s an even bigger reason that Jones and Co. already believe so much in a defensive back with a strong family tree rooted in the NFL.
The Cowboys’ offense has Super Bowl potential with Dak Prescott, George Pickens and Lamb.
Dallas traded up in the draft to add the highly confident Downs to a defense that needed serious help in 2026.
“It was a great conversation. I honestly couldn’t hear him (Jones) much, I was too excited to listen,” Downs said.
“I’m just excited to do what I can do and be committed to the team.”
