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By Anne Erickson
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Caleb Downs didn't need much time to show everyone why the Cowboys made him the No. 11 overall pick.
After a relatively soft start to training camp while players were still practicing in helmets, the rookie defensive back has come alive since the pads went on. That's usually when things get a little tougher, and Downs has looked more than comfortable.
By most accounts, he's been one of the biggest standouts. Whether it's making plays in team drills or finding his way around the football, Downs has consistently been in the middle of the action. He's looked instinctive, physical and surprisingly polished for a player who's only a few weeks into his first NFL training camp.
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That's exactly what Dallas was hoping to see. One of the biggest reasons for the early excitement is how the Cowboys are using him. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker isn't limiting Downs to one spot. He's lining up deep, playing closer to the line of scrimmage and getting lots of work in the slot, where Dallas believes he can become an immediate difference-maker against today's difficult offenses. That versatility was one of the biggest selling points when Downs entered the draft, and it's already showing up on the practice field.
Of course, training camp is only the first step. Every rookie looks different once the regular season begins, and there will be plenty of adjustments along the way. But it's hard not to like what Downs has put on tape so far.
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The Cowboys drafted him because they believed he was one of the smartest defensive players in this class. Early returns suggest that football IQ is translating fairly quickly. There's still a long way to go before Week 1, but Downs has already made one thing clear. He's not in Dallas to ease into the lineup. He's jumping right into it.
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