Brian Schottenheimer Makes Strong Early Assessment Of Caleb Downs

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys have three rookies playing prominent roles on defense two games into the season. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Wednesday at The Star that Dallas drafted Caleb Downs, Malachi Lawrence, and Jaishawn Barham high with the plan to play them.

Downs went No. 11 overall out of Ohio State. Dallas took Lawrence at No. 23 out of UCF after trading down from No. 20 with the Philadelphia Eagles. Barham came in the third round, 92nd overall, out of Michigan.

Schottenheimer said the other 10 players on the field are there to cover a rookie’s mistake.

“We knew we wanted our young guys to play,” Schottenheimer said. “That’s why we drafted them. You draft them high with the plan to play. There’s growing pains for everybody. We’re all still growing. I talked about the running game earlier. We’re growing through the running game struggles that we have. But Caleb Downs is an elite player. He’s doing awesome.”

“Jaishawn, again, every snap that he gets, whether it’s green dot or just playing, created a huge turnover for us,” Schottenheimer continued. “And Malachi Lawrence, I mean, you watch this guy rush the passer. I’m telling you, it’s really, I mean, he’s so freaky talented. So, very impressive for us.”

“They’re going to make their mistakes,” Schottenheimer added. “And what we hope is that because the game is played with 11 guys on defense, that if they do make a mistake, somebody else bails them out, covers it up. But what I like about really those three guys in general is they don’t repeat mistakes very often.”

Caleb Downs And Jaishawn Barham Starting For Dallas Cowboys

Through two games, Downs has 8 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. His sack came against Jaxson Dart in the 28-20 loss to the New York Giants on Sept. 13.

Barham started in place of injured linebacker DeMarvion Overshown in Sunday’s 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders and wore the green dot. He suffered a stinger, returned, and forced a fumble on his first play back. Dee Winters recovered it. Barham is listed behind Winters on the unofficial depth chart released Tuesday.

Malachi Lawrence Rushing The Passer For Dallas Cowboys

Lawrence spent five seasons at UCF and finished with 20 career sacks, 10th in school history. He was a first-team All-Big 12 pick in 2025 with 7 sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Lawrence ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds and posted a 40-inch vertical. He plays outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s scheme. Donovan Ezeiruaku leads the Cowboys with 9 quarterback pressures through two games.

Dallas plays the Baltimore Ravens at 3:25 p.m. CT Sunday at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.