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By Cameron Kiszla
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The 2026 season will be a big one for the Dallas Cowboys, who face high expectations — including a possible Super Bowl run.
Owner Jerry Jones is doing nothing to tamp those hopes down, and he's pleased with his squad, even a high-profile rookie.
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The Cowboys took safety Caleb Downs 11th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Jones indicated that his team chose well with the Alabama and Ohio State product.
"He doesn't shy away from the expectation of him being a player, and Nick Saban was correct. This guy is one of the best players all around that any of us have ever seen," Jones said on an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show with Kay Adams.
Adams noted that Downs is "a young leader already."
"I know he's a rookie, but I just can see him working out there," Adams said. "I feel like he's the leader of this defense."
While middle linebackers are traditionally viewed as the leaders of the defense, it's not uncommon for safeties to be given that designation.
That said, Jones clarified that he doesn't view Downs as a pure safety.
Instead, he views Downs as a nickelback, the fifth defensive back on the field in formations that put six linemen and linebackers up front.
While nickelbacks have been limited to specific packages in the past, more and more base defenses are relying on having five DBs, especially against pass-heavy offenses, and they're being used in more and more creative ways.
"As it turns out, safety has always been an important position, but there are a couple of them, the cover corner, the pressure player on the outside," he said. "But now that nickel guy in there on the defense, the guy that is a D back but stands closer to the line like a linebacker. That guy right there has elevated his presence in all defenses, but especially ours. He plays that, and he can be a difference maker."
To see praise like that for a rookie is not normal, but according to many who've watched him, coached him and played with him, he's not normal, either.
NFL fans will get to see that firsthand this fall.
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