COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State football’s Caleb Downs in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The standout safety was taken with the 11th overall selection.

Introducing the newest Dallas Cowboy, as the front office and Brian Schottenheimer get their guy at No. 11 overall.

Former Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was taken No. 11 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23.

With the 11th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs. After months of preparation and speculation, the team traded up one spot to secure their new secondary chess piece for defensive coordinator Christian Parker.

After being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, who traded up for him, Caleb Downs opens up about what happened before the NFL Draft.

The Cowboys did move up. It just wasn’t the big move everyone was waiting for. But it was an important one, and they got a player who some considered to be the best prospect in the entire draft. The Cowboys moved up from No.

The move to take Caleb Downs in the first round of the NFL draft gives the Cowboys their best safety since Darren Woodson.