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By Cole Sullivan
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The Dallas Cowboys made a splash at No. 11, selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs after trading up one spot from No. 12.
Downs was the second defensive back off the board, following the Kansas City Chiefs’ move up to No. 6 to take LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, and became the fourth Ohio State player selected in the draft.
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, who was sitting next to Micah Parsons during the broadcast, had an immediate reaction to the pick. Nabers — who will now face Downs twice a year — didn’t sound thrilled.
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“I’m glad I’m out of that division,” Parsons said.
Nabers responded, “I’d rather have him than play against him … I’ve got to play against this guy again. He’s very good."
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More news: Mel Kiper: Cowboys Drafted a ‘Culture Changer’ in Caleb Downs
Downs spent his freshman season at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he played the final two years of his career.
During that time, he was arguably the best defensive player in the country, delivering consistent production week in and week out for a Buckeyes defense that ranked among the nation’s best.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. labeled Downs a “culture changer” for a Cowboys defense that struggled mightily last season.
“The Cowboys got my No. 6 prospect and a culture-changer for a defense that needed one,” Kiper said. “They had a top-five offense last season, and it didn’t matter. Dallas would get into the end zone, and opponents would go right back the other way and score. But Downs won’t tolerate that on the back end of the secondary. He diagnoses and sniffs out plays, and he has the coverage and tackling ability to limit the big plays that buried the Cowboys in 2025.”
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