The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of work to do on defense if they want to become relevant again. According to a new Pro Football Focus mock draft, they could make a huge dent in that problem with an insane steal at No. 12 overall.
Unless the Cowboys swing a blockbuster trade for Raiders All-Pro pass rusher Maxx Crosby, the draft will be the foundation of their defensive rebuild.
Well, Trevor Sikkema of PFF has the Cowboys picking Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (!!!) at No. 12 and Clemson edge rusher T.J. Parker with the 20th pick. To say that Dallas should sprint to the podium if Downs falls would be the understatement of all understatements.
"It might seem crazy for Downs to slide outside the top 10, but from talking with people around the industry at the Senior Bowl, it appears his range is truly anywhere in the top 20," Sikkema writes. "If he makes it to No. 12, I have no doubt the Cowboys will be interested. Downs earned PFF overall grades above 85.0 in each of the past three seasons as a do-it-all safety."
Caleb Downs falling to the Cowboys would be a dream come true
Caleb Downs is unequivocally one of the best players in the 2026 draft class. Safety, however, sits low on the positional pecking order, which could cause him to slide. The Cowboys should be praying that happens, because Downs is far more than a traditional safety.
The former Buckeye can play strong or free safety and can slide to the nickel in a pinch. He can be the Cowboys' version of Derwin James, Kyle Hamilton, or Nick Emmanwori. He'd be a dream get for new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who turned Eagles defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into All-Pros this season.
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Parker doesn't move the needle nearly as much as Downs. Sikkema noted that the former Clemson standout was more productive in 2024 relative to 2025. The Senior Bowl appearance was Parker's last chance to draw some eyeballs, and he made quite the impression.
"(Parker) was one of the standout players from the Senior Bowl," Sikkema added. "His violence as an edge defender in run and pass situations gives him first-round value. He would pair nicely opposite Donovan Ezeiruaku."
Even though Rueben Bain Jr., David Bailey, and Arvell Reese are the big-name pass rushers in this draft, they will likely be off the board by the time Dallas picks at No. 20. Other DEs like Akeem Mesidor, Cassius Howell, and Keldric Faulk could all be in play for the Cowboys' second pick.
What happens at No. 20 obviously still matters, but the NFL should be shaking in its boots if Dallas manages to land Downs. He would change the complexion of the defense overnight.