Downs is at a whole different level than anyone in this draft

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erod said:
It's been a long time since I was this excited about a defensive draft pick in these parts.

Caleb Downs would immediately start, without a question, for all 32 teams. He could very well be the best safety in football by midseason, perhaps even sooner. He's the elite of the elite of the elite.

Just watch.

He's been clearly the best player in college football on the defensive side for at least two years. Watching Ohio State play, the guy is everywhere making plays all over the field. And not just sometimes...all the time.

He's already got a veterans understanding of the game, which he's had since he was a freshman. Saban didn't play freshmen, but he let Downs actually quarterback his defense as a freshman. He's a Tom Brady in a safety body.

I've always been partial to safeties, and I do not know why they're not valued more than they are. This guy is the pedigree of the greatest safeties of all time both mentally and physically. Teams just let terrific safeties drift in the draft, and later regret it. This is going to be the case for the 11 teams that could have nabbed him, and the others that failed to trade up.

He hits like a truck and runs like a deer. He knows how to get every player lined up on defense. He calls out routes at the line of scrimmage already. He's from a high-quality family. He's an all-star safety, linebacker, slot corner, and occasional pass rusher all rolled into one.

He's Cooper DeJean times ten. I hated when we didn't draft DeJean. Now I'm glad we didn't.

Not many guys like this come along. With good fortune health-wise, this is a perennial All-Pro (not just pro bowl) who will find his way to the Hall of Fame. Paired with Jalen Thompson, who's also a smart player, this could be the best deep safeties we've had since Washington and Woodson.

Yes, he's that good. Best player in the draft by a mile. And he's ours.

The Cowboys just made the best draft pick, lucky or not, that they've made since Emmitt Smith.
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I don't follow college ball. Really high praise and it looks like many are in agreement.
 
xwalker said:
I'll
Kenneth Murray had great diagnosis skills but his dyslexia caused him to always go the opposite direction of the play...

RB goes off Left Tackle...Murray runs to the Right Tackle side...
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Not what I read about him. Terrible instincts.
 
Dallas has a way of making good players look average. I don't know if Downs can overcome the weaknesses on this defense, that we HOPE all got fixed in one off season. I doubt it.

So, I'm not nearly as excited as the rest of you...not until I see this defensive UNIT on the field, led by Parker.

Color me jaded...the proof is between the lines. Not on paper.
 
KMY_Amber said:
Dallas has a way of making good players look average. I don't know if Downs can overcome the weaknesses on this defense, that we HOPE all got fixed in one off season. I doubt it.

So, I'm not nearly as excited as the rest of you...not until I see this defensive UNIT on the field, led by Parker.

Color me jaded...the proof is between the lines. Not on paper.
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I mean at this point, the bar is "better than 2025", It would be a miracle if they're actually a play-off caliber defense 1 year into a rebuild.
 
KMY_Amber said:
Dallas has a way of making good players look average. I don't know if Downs can overcome the weaknesses on this defense, that we HOPE all got fixed in one off season. I doubt it.

So, I'm not nearly as excited as the rest of you...not until I see this defensive UNIT on the field, led by Parker.

Color me jaded...the proof is between the lines. Not on paper.
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I think it'll take another off-season to really fully fix the Defense, but this was a step in the right direction.
 
Just playing devils advocate but why did so many other teams pass on him?
 
DallasEast said:
The Bears' Mark Carrier was the last safety to win defensive rookie of the year. And the vote was not even close.

On paper, Caleb Downs is as good (if not better) than Carrier coming out of college. I can easily see him matching or beating Carriers' ten interceptions in his first year in the league. Like the OP said, the guy literally covers the whole field.

However, all great players are usually dependent upon their units in performing their ultimate best. My single hope is this season's defensive front getting consistent quarterback pressure on passing downs. If so, I am sure Downs will have a fantastic first season.
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Brother you’re in for a very rude awakening if you’re expecting 10 ints. Downs is my fav player in the draft and will be a top 3 safety his first day but that’s not his game at all
 
Swagger said:
Just playing devils advocate but why did so many other teams pass on him?
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Las Vegas was always going to pick Mendoza #1 overall. As far as the other 9 picks ahead of Dallas, if I had to take a guess I would say maybe the other teams thought edge and LB were better choices. If the goal is to improve your defenses run stopping ability, you make picks to build up the edge and LB corps, not safety.

I personally don't understand the massive overreaction for Downs. Since when is a safety going to be the savior of all that is wrong with the defense? At the same time, I'm not an Ohio State fan and never heard of the kid until now, and know nothing of his abilities.

I just don't see a safety fixing all the other problems the 2025 defense was suffering from.
 
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