The Dallas Cowboys have a big Caleb Downs related question to answer in OTAs next week
The Dallas Cowboys OTAs start next Monday and all eyes will be on first-round rookie Caleb Downs. And there’s a question the team will likely answer that pertains to him.
The Dallas Cowboys aren’t hiding their plans for first-round pick Caleb Downs ahead of his rookie season. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said from the night they drafted him at No. 11 overall they plan to have him start out at nickel cornerback.
And while many have penciled him in as the starter at nickelback, the Cowboys have a huge question to answer when OTAs start next Monday. Who else will practice at nickel?
Cowboys must plan to free up Caleb Downs
Here’s the thing: Downs at nickel is a move with a lot of upside. As we’ve seen from the best NFL defenses, having a versatile player in the slot is key to keep offenses from dictating the terms.
The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl largely because safety Nick Emmanwori playing the nickel allowed them to keep their best players on the field regardless of the personnel opponents were using. Multiple tight ends? No problem. Emmanwori can take them on. Three receivers? No sweat. Emmanwori can cover from the slot.
In Downs, the Cowboys have someone with similar versatility.
And yet, it’s important for Dallas to tap into what he does best, which is move around. Downs can play in the slot, in the box, and as a free safety. But to move him around, there has to be another nickel cornerback they trust.
There’s not a lot we can learn from OTAs considering the pads aren’t on and contact isn’t taking place. But something to look at is who else is taking those snaps at nickel to allow Downs to move all over the field.
Nickel candidates
A quick glance at the Cowboys’ roster reveals a few candidates who could step up for the role. I’m not counting DaRon Bland as Schottenheimer said earlier in the year they view him as a shutdown outside corner.
- CB Cobie Durant: As one of the biggest free agent signings by the Cowboys this offseason, I’d expect him to start outside. But Durant has inside-outside versatility so it could be used, especially if Shavon Revel Jr. takes a second-year jump and starts outside.
- S Jalen Thompson: The Cowboys signed Thompson to a $33 million deal because of his ability to move around. Though he’s unlikely to be a full-time nickel, maybe he and Downs can rotate and keep offenses guessing.
- CB Reddy Steward: Steward showed flashes of promising football from the slot last season. He was a solid tackler in open space, though he needs to improve in coverage.
- CB Zion Childress: One of the biggest long shots on the list, Childress only played five defensive snaps in 2025. But he did stand out in the preseason, so maybe a strong a training camp puts him on defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s radar.