Cowboys rookie defensive back Caleb Downs is living up to expectations while learning two spots

OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — Expectations are high for Dallas Cowboys rookie defensive back Caleb Downs, the No. 11 overall draft pick who is being counted on to help overhaul their defense.

Downs's personal goals are even more ambitious.

“That’s for me to know, and y’all to find out,” Downs said.

Downs has shown nothing so far in training camp to indicate he should set a ceiling on those aspirations, demonstrating every bit of the pedigree established during his college career at Alabama and Ohio State. That track record is one of the reasons the Cowboys have been comfortable using the 6-foot, 210-pounder in the slot and at safety.

Downs played both positions in college, but new Dallas defensive coordinator Christian Parker seems to be looking at him as a slot defender first, a role that has taken on greater significance as the NFL has embraced spread offenses.

Quarterback Dak Prescott cited the need for a standout nickel back to counter the use of elite wide receivers in the slot, listing off his top target in CeeDee Lamb and others around the league, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks, Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings.

“Those guys are moving around, and that’s what makes these offenses great, when you can move these type of guys in and out,” Prescott said. “So if you don’t have a guy that can travel with them, if you don’t have a guy that can match up and play that, you’re putting yourself in a bind. And he not only has to travel and get inside when that guy goes inside, but he also has to stop the run. And so to have a guy that can do that, to be versatile, but more importantly physical, that’s what makes great defenses great.”

Downs is already getting a sense of the position’s demands from daily battles against Lamb, who has topped 1,000 yards receiving in five straight seasons. Coach Brian Schottenheimer recalled how Lamb beat Downs on a play during organized team activities, but the rookie was ready the next time that same route concept was used.

“He’s a young player, he’s a rookie, he’s going to make mistakes,” Schottenheimer said. “But like I said in the spring, I’ll say it again, he doesn’t repeat mistakes, and that is a sign of a young man that understands X’s and O’s in football, and he’s wired the right way.”

Parker has been pleased with Downs’ willingness to learn, particularly as he navigates different positions. It stood out to the 34-year-old Parker, who had success helping young defensive backs thrive in his previous role with the Philadelphia Eagles, during the pre-draft process.

“Curiosity is one thing for young players that you really look for,” Parker said. “They want to know the why behind everything. We give them that up front, the intent behind each thing that we’re trying to do. And so, I think, with him, he has that natural spirit about him for sure.”

Downs, in turn, is able to to put those lessons to immediate use.

“Playing under Kevin Steele, coach (Nick) Saban’s defense, playing under Jim Knowles, and playing under Matt Patricia, I have a lot of defensive knowledge to bank from, and I feel like that allows me to play fast out here,” he said.

“Every day, things slow down just a little bit, and that’s how it’s supposed to be.”

Downs has also shown strong communication skills, which are important as Parker stresses the need to take and receive information as the foundation of a successful defense. Cornerback Cobie Durant said the slot defender serves as a valuable conduit between the linebackers and cornerbacks in relaying and adjusting coverages, putting Downs in a key role.

Those abilities allowed Downs to thrive in two of the most demanding systems in college football. He had six interceptions, a forced fumble, 16 tackles for loss, and 257 total tackles in 44 career games, earning numerous individual honors and winning a national championship after the 2024 season.

The confidence Downs carries from those experiences is what has impressed his fellow Buckeyes alum, safety Malik Hooker.

“You’ve seen Caleb day in and day out lining up against CeeDee, and he gives him his respect, obviously, it ain’t nothing like that,” Hooker said. “But every play he gets a chance to line up against him, he feels like he’s going to win that rep, and that’s the type of mentality we want on this defense. Especially coming from a guy that we’re expecting to play a lot, and not only play a lot, but to be a difference maker in our defense.”

Rookie LB Jaishawn Barham left practice early Thursday because of an apparent groin injury. A third-round pick out of Michigan, Barham has been a standout early in camp.

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Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs catches a pass during the NFL football team's training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs signs autographs during the NFL football team's training camp, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb, left, breaks away from defensive back Caleb Downs during the NFL football team's training camp, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Dallas Cowboys defensive back Caleb Downs, right, runs a drill during the NFL football team's training camp, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham and the Indiana Fever received a welcome respite from the glaring spotlight Thursday.

Back home, in Indiana, it was back to basketball.

The rallies that stirred up so much discussion during their most recent road trip were virtually non-existent. The boos they heard repeatedly last week turned into resounding cheers. Even the opposition to Cunningham's stance about keeping transgender women out of women's sports had mostly abated temporarily.

On a day nearly half of the 12-member U.S. FIBA Women's World Cup team took the court in Indianapolis, Fever coach Stephanie White and Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon managed to talk about the matchups between two of the WNBA's top teams.

It wasn't just players who were ready to move on from the controversy, even if it only stops briefly in Indianapolis.

“It's about time. I do want to get back to basketball,” said 24-year-old Carmen Edmainiston, a longtime Fever fan.

Thursday's game was another marquee matchup between perhaps the defending champion Aces and the most visible and televised team in the league. They met in last year's WNBA semifinals and twice earlier this season, with the Fever winning each game by more than 15 points on the road.

While it had all the trappings of home cooking — a sellout crowd decked out mostly in Fever red, a street vendor selling a T-shirt with a shot of Cunningham pointing with the phrase “Sophie Point God” and, of course, the loud roars during Indiana's player introductions — there also were reminders this was about more than just basketball.

The lone protester outside Gainbridge Fieldhouse made his argument in support of Cunningham's position with a bullhorn. Inside, the signs carried messages such as "I want to play like Sophie” and “Thank you for standing up for girls, Sophie!”

That wasn't the reception Cunningham got last week in Seattle, Portland or Minnesota, where coach Cheryl Reeve wore a T-shirt during Sunday's game with the message “Trans kids belong.” The Fever are expected to be greeted with another rally when they travel to Chicago on Saturday.

Cunningham has not backed off her stance despite the criticism.

“I was asked a question and that's simply what it was. I wasn't trying to make a statement. I was trying to clear the air, and I did that, back in February, so it is what it is,” she said Wednesday at practice. “We're in the middle of the season, so I'm going to keep it at that. Our team is good, my teammates are good, our locker room is great.”

Cunningham's position is merely the latest episode in a Fever season filled with drama.

While Clark and Angel Reese each have seven technical fouls, the most in the league and one short of an automatic one-game suspension, Clark also has been involved in a sideline spat with White. And, some of the contact she has incurred this season has stirred a debate that has reached the U.S. Congress over whether she's being unfairly targeted.

Following a rare three-day break away from her usual media duties, Clark weighed in when asked during a pregame news conference how she has dealt with life inside of a bubble where her every move and word is scrutinized.

“I think first and foremost, you speak when you feel like you want to speak,” she said. “I've been in this position for what, five years now, four years, and I think I have a good feel of what's going to be asked, what's not going to be asked, how to approach each situation and I try to just show up and be myself every single day, and I hope fans can feel like they can connect with me in that way."

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Indiana Fever guards Sophie Cunningham, left, Caitlin Clark (22) and center Aliyah Boston (7) stand on the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve watches play during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham stands on the court during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Minnesota Lynx, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)