There is still a lot of work to be done on defense for the Dallas Cowboys. And anyone hoping that the Cowboys’ defense would be a top-12 unit in 2026 can kiss that dream goodbye. For the second week in a row, Dallas allowed 5.8 yards per play and allowed 24+ first downs.
There were some (slight) improvements in Week 2, but if you are an optimist, the biggest takeaway is that the Cowboys have a superstar in Caleb Downs. And for the second week in a row, he was arguably their best defender.
Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs was even better in Week 2
In a recent article by Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus, he wrote about all 32 first-round picks coming out of Week 2. And yet again, PFF was impressed by the performance of Caleb Downs. Here is a snippet of what they had to say about the former Ohio State star against the Commanders:
Downs continued to impress as Dallas put together a better defensive performance in Week 2. He tallied seven total tackles, including one stop, while also recording his first career pass breakup. Downs did allow his first career touchdown in coverage on a play where he was a bit late reacting to motion, but it was an otherwise good day for him. He and fellow rookie Jaishawn Barham enter Week 3 as the Cowboys’ highest-graded defenders.
As PFF mentioned, Downs gave up his first touchdown on a goal-line play to Stefon Diggs, where he got caught in traffic and couldn’t make it to the flat. This was more of a miscommunication than a physical mistake and it’s one that Dallas will certainly be able to correct moving forward.
But despite giving up the touchdown, Downs was able to make several key plays on Sunday. He delivered a seismic hit on Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin that dislodged a completed pass. It was a textbook tackle; Downs lowered his shoulder pad right into McLaurin's midsection. The timing was just as impressive.
Pro Football Reference credited Downs with nine tackles (six solo, three combined). He was not as involved around the quarterback as he was in Week 1, but he only played three pass-rush snaps. Look for Christian Parker to blitz Downs more as he continues to work out the kinks of being a first-time play-caller.
It’s also worth pointing out that Downs made two key tackles on kickoff coverage that otherwise would have led to big returns. The Cowboys are putting a ton on his plate, and for the second week in a row, he’s delivered.
The Cowboys have a lot of issues on defense right now, especially in the secondary. They now have injuries they will have to navigate through, as Malik Hooker, Cobie Durant, and P.J. Locke are all expected to miss Week 3, at least.
And that means the Cowboys will need Downs to be even better moving forward. The good news is that he’s managed to conquer every challenge the Cowboys have given him so far.
Week 2 Grade: B
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