The left tackle competition has injected some intrigue into a Dallas Cowboys offense that doesn’t carry many question marks. But if we’re keeping it a buck, all anyone really wanted to see at OTAs was Caleb Downs show off his first-round billing.
Unfortunately, OTAs aren't exactly built for defensive players to steal the spotlight. It's a different story for the offense. With no pads and no tackling, defenders can only impact practice in so many ways.
You may have heard some version of this since draft night, but Downs has a presence -- some would say aura -- that's hard to miss. Just three practices in, the No. 11 overall pick already has Quinnen Williams singing his praises.
“He has all of the tools, man. He has all the things that you want from a guy to come in and make an immediate impact. He’s humble, he’s ready to learn.
“Everyone on defense knows how urgent it is to get better, and having a guy like Caleb coming in with the same intensity and urgency to have an impact, it’s unbelievable," Williams said.
Caleb Downs already impressing Quinnen Williams at Dallas Cowboys OTAs
Compliments tend to fly around during the offseason, but Williams' words pack a little extra mustard.
A multiple-time Pro Bowler and one of the league's premier interior defenders, Williams knows what it takes to be successful and has seen his fair share of young talent. If he's already impressed by Downs, it's fair to wonder just how high the rookie's ceiling really is.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Downs has worked almost exclusively in the nickel in team drills. Whether he's dropping in the box or patrolling the back end, his impact will be felt in every facet of the defense.
That said, it's hard to ignore how much work he's already getting in the slot. It's a strong indicator that Christian Parker views him as a fixture in the nickel.
Even Brian Schottenheimer, who isn't one to hand out praise to young players before they've earned it, paid Downs the ultimate compliment this week.
“One of the greatest compliments you can give a young player is they don’t repeat mistakes,” Schottenheimer said. “Like if you tell Caleb one thing -- and he’s made mistakes throughout the course of Phase II and OTAs, and even the last couple of practices -- but he doesn’t make the same mistake twice. And I think that's a very, very good thing for us and the Cowboys nation."
What sticks out about that quote is that Schottenheimer didn't laud Downs' athleticism or playmaking ability -- he highlighted the rookie's coachability. The NFL champions athleticism and playmaking, but Downs' willingness to absorb coaching and correct mistakes is what is going to accelerate his development.
That is often the biggest hurdle for first-year players, but Downs is mature beyond his years. He didn't just start as an 18-year-old (!) true freshman for Nick Saban at Alabama; he starred, pacing the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles and an 85.5 defensive grade, via Pro Football Focus.
If you've watched college football the last two years, you know Ohio State's defense has churned out NFL draft picks. Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles, Tyliek Williams, Kayden McDonald, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Davison Igbinosun were all drafted in the first or second round.
And yet, Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia built his scheme around Downs. Everything flowed through the 21-year-old.
The Cowboys have a special player on their hands, folks.
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