Social media nearly melted down when the Dallas Cowboys traded up one spot in April to select Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs.
Downs was widely circled as the prospect who'd make the greatest impact on Dallas' defense. If the buzz following OTAs and mandatory minicamp is any indication, the 21-year-old won't need long to make the league regret passing on him. He already looks the part.
The spotlight on Downs has been so intense that it's been easy to overlook the Cowboys' other first-round pick, Malachi Lawrence, selected No. 23 overall after trading back with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lawrence, however, has no interest in being an afterthought. The Central Florida talent turned heads throughout the spring program and leaves minicamp riding a wave of momentum.
“I’ve been most pleasantly surprised by the instincts when he drops in coverage,” Brian Schottenheimer said of Lawrence. “They didn’t drop him much at UCF, for the right reasons. But I like the way he’s tackled this offseason. I think he’s another guy that the talent is real. I don’t remember him making a lot of mistakes, and that’s a good thing.”
Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs can't overshadow Malachi Lawrence's strong spring
What's telling is that Schottenheimer's praise had nothing to do with pass rushing. Lawrence was drafted to hunt quarterbacks, and that alone should earn him snaps.
But if he wants to become a true three-down player as a rookie, he'll need to prove he can handle the less glamorous responsibilities, too. In Parker's defense, that includes dropping into coverage and executing the finer details of the scheme.
It's very encouraging that Lawrence is embracing that aspect of the position, but it's also consistent with everything we've heard about him since draft night. Reports suggest he's wired similarly to Downs, carrying himself with the kind of intentionality and work ethic typically reserved for veterans.
It's difficult to evaluate pass rushers without pads and live tackling, but Lawrence made the most of his opportunities. He saw extensive reps with the starting defense on both sides of the formation, recorded a would-be sack after beating Tyler Guyton, and flashed the 4.5 speed that shaped him into a first-round prospect. In a non-contact setting, that's about all you can ask from a rookie edge rusher.
Just like with every young player who looks the part in OTAs and minicamp, Lawrence maintaining this impact when the pads come on will be crucial in determining his readiness. But that shouldn't undermine his roaring start.
We're victims of getting lost in the Caleb Downs sauce, but Lawrence is making sure Cowboys fans don't forget about the team's other first-round pick.
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