Why Cowboys safety Caleb Downs sometimes got bored during Ohio State games

The Dallas Cowboys made it clear how they felt about Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs when they traded with the Miami Dolphins to make Downs the 11th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

During a Monday appearance on Dallas sports radio station 105.3 The Fan, Downs was asked if he ever got bored whenever opposing quarterbacks declined to test him during his college career. 

Caleb Downs sounds ready to see more action at the highest level

"Yeah, I'll honestly say yes," Downs confidently responded, per Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "The ball not coming your way. Maybe the talent may not be as good that week. You don't always play high-level talent every week in college, so that's something you have to get used to. Sometimes those games, they can get boring just because the fact of you play a team that doesn't have as good of an offensive line, your D-line will pretty much make all the tackles. There wouldn't really be much to do those games. So, just get bored of not being in the action."

According to Pro Football Focus, Downs allowed a 46.5 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks and surrendered 22 receptions in coverage during the 2025 season. Meanwhile, Todd Archer of ESPN mentioned that the Cowboys plan to use Downs to cover tight ends, running backs and wide receivers later this year. Downs will also be used as a blitzer and in the Cowboys' run defense. 

He sounds ready to embrace those challenges as a rookie. 

Caleb Downs more a playmaker than a safety? 

"I would say I'm a defensive player," Downs said about where he will feature for the Cowboys this coming fall. "Being able to play near the line of scrimmage, being able to play in the second level, third level, being able to do a lot of different things. You say a weapon. I would just say a full-rounded player. If you're a full-rounded player that can make plays in all facets of your defense and make your defense better, that's who you want on your team. Not necessarily, oh, I want somebody to be able to set the edge. That's great, but if he doesn't necessarily make the play, then it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, you want playmakers, and that's what I am."

ESPN stats show that the Cowboys ended the 2025 regular season ranked last in the league with an average of 30.1 points surrendered per game and 30th with an average of 377 yards allowed per game. If Downs proves to be as good as advertised beginning in September, a unit that was a weakness for Dallas throughout portions of this past campaign could quickly become a strength for the NFC East club.