Dallas Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs drops a quote that shows exactly why he’s going to be a star defender in no time
The Dallas Cowboys are seeing exactly what they wished to from first-round rookie Caleb Downs through two weeks of NFL football. And it’s only going to get better.
The Dallas Cowboys expect rookie defensive back Caleb Downs to help them turn around the defense. There are many reasons why they believe he can do it, but the biggest three are his elite football IQ, tackling, and playmaking ability.
In one play against the Washington Commanders, he displayed them all. Downs recorded a pass breakup after delivering a big hit on WR Terry McLaurin. To put it simply, the play should have been a catch. Downs is the lone reason why it wasn’t.
In the play, which is even more impressive upon further review, Downs is the curl-flat defender. He initially matches the #1 receiver, passes him off as he runs a vertical, and keeps his eyes on Jayden Daniels. When he sees him throw to McLaurin, Downs’ quickly reacts and runs full speed to deliver a hit that forces McLaurin to let go of the football.
Caleb Downs makes the play even better with his words
In his Downs 2 Business podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts WR), Caleb talked about the play and delivered a quote that should get fans fired up.
“I was pretty much just the curl-flat player, I was in a high-low situation and was just reading the quarterback’s eyes,” Downs said. “Later on in my career, you’ll see that ball picked.”
That’s exactly what you want to hear from Downs, and not just because of the cheesy reasons. Not only does that comment reflect a rookie hungry for more, but this is the attitude that makes Caleb Downs, Caleb Downs, you know?
You see, head coach Brian Schottenheimer likes to say the rookie doesn’t make the same mistake twice. He’s a learner, a student of film. He describes himself as a student of the game. We think these learning experiences can only come from mistakes that are costly errors. For example, Downs being caught off guard by the Commanders near the goal-line to allow a freebie touchdown to Stefon Diggs will be something he learns from.
But Downs’ learning experiences will also be about him finding ways to turn good plays into great plays with time. That’s just how he’s wired. It’s also why he’s making these plays so early in his career.
Downs’ game in Week 2 was highly promising. he rookie played 100% of the snaps and most of them were superb football. We saw him violently tackle from depth in the run game, make a shoestring tackle on Jayden Daniels, get a big-time tackle blitzing from the edge in the run game, and more.
Downs is exactly who we thought he’d be even if the Cowboys are struggling defensively right now.
