Cowboys player named top NFL draft pick by ESPN
Fans of the Dallas Cowboys are still riding the high of landing Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in the first round, and they should be. Widely regarded as one of the top players coming out of the college ranks, the Cowboys were able to get him with the 11th overall pick after trading up one spot with the Miami Dolphins.
The Cowboys sent two fifth-round picks to the Dolphins in the trade, which was more than worth it to get a player the caliber of Downs. Matt Miller of ESPN thinks the same as he released his list of the top draft picks of 2026 on Wednesday, and Downs came in at the top spot.
My favorite pick of the draft, Downs will be an immediate playmaker in new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme. A three-time All-American and a national champion, Downs’ work ethic and culture-setting ability are as important as his on-field skills. He has football savvy and a great feel for the game, which gives him alignment versatility and will allow him a faster acclimation than most rookies. The expectation is that he’ll become a high-end starter with All-Pro potential during his rookie contract. The combination of player, need and value made this the best pick of the 2026 draft.
Downs spent his freshman season at Alabama, and he was an instant star. He led the Crimson Tide in tackles with 107 and added 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His two years at Ohio State were no different as he registered 150 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles during his time there.
In Dallas, Downs will be a Swiss army knife. He’ll play near the line scrimmage as a box safety or slot cornerback in their nickel package, but he’ll also play deep safety in other looks look. One of the biggest issues with the Cowboys defense last season was communication, and Downs has shown to be a guy to get his teammates in the right spots. Simply put, Downs will make a difference on all three levels of Christian Parker’s defense, and the unit overall is expected to make a big turnaround from what they were under Matt Eberflus in 2025 when they finished 30th overall in total defense.
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