OXNARD, Calif. — Caleb Downs has spent training camp covering CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Chris Olave, and Puka Nacua. The Dallas Cowboys rookie said Thursday that is where the confidence came from.
Downs was asked how the matchups prepare him for the regular season.
“That’s where confidence actually comes from, just being in the situations, doing it actually at the level that you’re going to have to do it in the game,” Downs said. “Going against, even against the Rams, going against Puka for a couple of reps. It’s all just trying to get me to where I need to be my best.”
Downs reached for a boxer when asked whether his confidence grew by the day.
“Mike Tyson says success breeds confidence and confidence breeds success, so I feel like those two work together,” Downs explained. “And when you win at things and you do good at things, it allows you to feel more confident. And then when you succeed, it just keeps you continuing to grow from there.”
Dallas practiced against the Los Angeles Rams on Aug. 11 in Woodland Hills, California, and against the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 18 in Oxnard.
He Has Been Asking CeeDee Lamb For Notes
Downs said he goes to the receivers he covers and asks what they see.
“I’ve had multiple conversations with CeeDee about that, just the techniques that I’m playing, how he says I’m adjusting and everything,” Downs said. “I feel like that’s what allows me to continue to grow my game, is just to know what they’re seeing from me, how I’m making them react and read and react together.”
Lamb caught 75 passes for 1,077 yards and 3 touchdowns in 14 games last season and has made five straight Pro Bowls. Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and 9 touchdowns in his first Dallas season and is playing this year on a $27.3 million franchise tag.
Olave is entering his fifth season with New Orleans. Nacua is entering his fourth with the Rams.
The 11th Overall Pick
Dallas drafted Downs 11th overall in April out of Ohio State. He was a unanimous All-American in each of his last two college seasons, won the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, and was Big Ten defensive player of the year and defensive back of the year.
He posted 68 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions in his final college season.
Brian Schottenheimer named Downs first when he was asked Thursday to list players who had exceeded expectations in camp.
“Caleb Downs, special young player,” Schottenheimer said.
Downs said he learned about himself more than anything else during his first NFL camp, including what kind of energy and technique he needs to play with.
The Room Around Him
Jalen Thompson signed a three-year, $33 million contract in free agency and is expected to start. P.J. Locke signed a one-year, $5 million deal. Malik Hooker returns.
Downs credited defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley with setting the tempo in meetings every day, and secondary coach Ryan Smith as someone he can bounce ideas off. Ansley came from Green Bay and Smith from Arizona, both hired in January under Christian Parker.
Dallas allowed 511 points last season, the most in the NFL, and finished last in passing yards allowed at 251.5 per game.
Thursday closed the Oxnard portion of camp. Dallas plays at the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday and holds open practices at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco on Aug. 25 and Aug. 26.
