FRISCO, Texas — Dallas was very nervous watching the top 10 of the 2026 draft in April, Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday, because he had heard Giants coach John Harbaugh speak about Caleb Downs in terms that suggested he would not last until Dallas picked.
New York held the No. 10 selection, acquired from Cincinnati in the Dexter Lawrence trade, and used it on Miami offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa. The Giants had already taken Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall. Dallas then traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins and took Downs 11th.
“Very nervous, because I’d heard, you know, John, Coach Harbaugh, talk about that he was a generational safety. I think it was the terms he used. If I’m wrong, I apologize,” Schottenheimer said. “But I knew how much he thought of him. They got a terrific player, but [we] were surprised. They got a great player from Ohio State as well, and Arvell Reese. But I was surprised. But it wasn’t just them. It was a number of the teams in front of us.”
Downs is the only player Dallas lists at defensive back on the Week 1 depth chart, and he is second at punt returner. He is one of six rookies the Cowboys kept.
Brian Schottenheimer On How Caleb Downs Prepares
Schottenheimer said the rookie’s practice habits do not resemble most rookies he has coached.
“Man, you know, probably sound like a broken record. The way he prepares, the way he practices is not like, I don’t want to say any. It’s not like most rookies I’ve been around,” Schottenheimer said. “It’s different. There’s a different mindset. There’s a different competitive fire in this kid. He craves coaching. Like, he cannot get coached enough.”
“And, you know, I think at the end of the day, that’s why he’s such a good player,” Schottenheimer continued. “You look at him and just the way he’s always played the game, he plays it with instincts. But those instincts aren’t just because he’s got great FBI. He works his butt off at studying the X’s and the O’s part of it. So, unique young man, very special talent.”
ESPN’s survey of league executives and scouts, published Tuesday, picked Downs to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Caleb Downs Before His First NFL Game
Asked for a stylistic comparison after more than two decades in the league, Schottenheimer would not give one.
“That’s hard, Garrett. I probably won’t compare him,” Schottenheimer explained. “I mean, there’s been some great players I’ve been around, but he’s such a unique talent and a unique young man in a good way, you know, like, I think he’s the first of Caleb Downs.”
Dallas finished 7-9-1 last season and allowed 511 points, the most in the league. The Cowboys open Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Kickoff is 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC.
