The Dallas Cowboys saw things break just about perfectly for themselves in the first round of the NFL draft, as the initial picks unfolded with an emphasis on pass-rushers and a surprising number of offensive players–six–taken in the Top 10. That left the player the team most coveted, Caleb Downs, still on the board after those 10 picks were in. So that Cowboys moved up a spot to prevent a possible trade and, in doing so, nabbed their man, Downs.
Now, as with any draft pick, the next step is to get him locked up in a rookie contract. That’s a bit simpler these days with rookie scale contracts dictated by the CBA, though there is still room for negotiation.
But the Cowboys did make the move on Downs as he reported for the weekend’s rookie minicamp, signing him to his first NFL contract.
Reported Adam Schefter of ESPN, “Cowboys first-round pick Caleb Downs signed his four-year, fully-guaranteed, $28.9 million deal.”
Cowboys Lock Up Caleb Downs, Other Picks
That report came after Todd Archer of ESPN noted that Dallas had signed six of the seven players it added in the NFL draft last week, with only Malachi Lawrence–the other first-round pick of the Cowboys–not yet sealed and delivered. Archer, though, noted that is not something Cowboys fans should be concerned about.
Wrote Archer on Twitter/X: “The Cowboys have signed 6 of their 7 draft picks before the first rookie minicamp practice that starts today at The Star. Only Malachi Lawrence is unsigned but expectation is his contract gets done once other deals in his pick range (No. 23) are finalized. Nothing to worry about.”
Caleb Downs Is ‘a Natural Football Player’
Downs is expected to be the focal point of the Cowboys’ rookie camp, and the hope is that he can be the focal point of the defense starting on Week 1. That is a lot to put on a first-year player, but among the attractive qualities Downs brings are his maturity, his ability to communicate and his reputation for being a football savant.
Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker said of him, “I think a guy like Caleb, he is a natural football player. He’s one of those first picks in the school yard. So, he is going to have natural versatility, so it is going to be what he can handle mentally and how we can fit everything together.
“He is the same guy we had in the 30 visit, the same guy we saw on tape—you know, an intentional person, consistent. Really, like flat-line, not in terms of not having energy, but he’s consistent, just in terms of his approach in everything he does.”
Cowboys Need a Defensive Playmaker
As for Downs himself, he said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that he intends to bring the Cowboys a defensive playmaker, the kind of X-factor on that side of the ball the team has long been missing.
“I would say I’m a defensive player,” the No. 11 overall pick responded. “Being able to play near the line of scrimmage, being able to play in the second level, third level, being able to do a lot of different things. You say a weapon, I would just say a full-rounded player. If you’re a full-rounded player that can make plays in all facets of your defense and make your defense better, that’s who you want on your team. Not necessarily, oh, I want somebody to be able to set the edge. That’s great, but if he doesn’t necessarily make the play, then it doesn’t matter.
“At the end of the day, you want playmakers, and that’s what I am.”
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