NFL insider drops Caleb Downs intel that could allow the Dallas Cowboys to laugh at division rival’s mistake for years to come
The Dallas Cowboys’ Caleb Downs pick was apparently made possible by a shocking decision by the New York Giants based on the latest post-draft intel.
Caleb Downs wasn’t supposed to be there at No. 11 overall when the Dallas Cowboys picked him in the 2026 NFL Draft last month. But he was, and a huge reason for it was the New York Giants’ first-round approach.
And if NFL insider Dan Graziano’s intel is correct, then the Giants made a massive draft night mistake that could allow the Cowboys to laugh at them for years to come.
Caleb Downs was in play at pick No. 5
After the draft, behind the scenes footage revealed the Cowboys tried to move up to No. 9 overall to avoid the Giants nabbing Downs right in front of them. Though a trade didn’t materialize, the Giants surprisingly passed on the Ohio State safety anyways.
Why?
According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, it wasn’t as simple as them opting for their best player on the board. In fact, he believes Downs was in play for the Giants in the Top 5.
“They felt they’d made their defensive pick at No. 5 when Reese was still there,” Graziano writes on a post-draft intel article. “I think there’s a chance they’d have taken Downs at No. 5 if Reese had been picked in the top four.”
So why not take him at No. 10 overall where the value would have been off the charts?
“But what became clear to me after the draft in talking to people around that situation is that the Giants were determined to use one of their two top-10 picks on an offensive player in an effort to support second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart,” Graziano explains.
Cowboys to benefit from Giants’ wild mistake
That’s an approach I expect the Giants to regret in the future. Prioritizing team needs over taking your best player on the board rarely works out. As long as Downs pans out and becomes a top-tier safety in the NFL (which I fully believe he will), that is just bad drafting from John Harbaugh.
Not to mention, positional value doesn’t justify the Giants’ decision-making here. Early expectations are for Mauigoa to play right guard. The cherry on top? Letting Downs fall to a division rival. Not great, Bob.
It’s the kind of draft story you remember for years to come if it doesn’t go well.
Now granted, you never know in the NFL. But right now I’m betting this is one that ages like milk for the Giants. Meanwhile, the Downs pick doesn’t have to age. He looks ready to make an impact from Day 1 for a Cowboys defense that badly needs it.