The Dallas Cowboys drafted Caleb Downs 11th overall to lead a defense rebuilt around speed and flexibility. The Cowboys also hired a new defensive coordinator, added veterans and used a second first-round pick on edge rusher Malachi Lawrence.
Eight games into 2026, Dallas ranks last in total yards and rushing yards allowed. Downs has made costly mistakes, but the problem goes beyond one rookie. The Cowboys must decide who will carry this unit.
Cowboys’ Defensive Rebuild Puts Too Much Pressure On Caleb Downs
Downs had four tackles on 53 defensive snaps against the Arizona Cardinals before entering concussion protocol in the fourth quarter. Trey McBride beat him for 15 yards on third-and-6. Tyler Allgeier scored on a 63-yard run after Downs took a poor pursuit angle, then broke a 52-yard run when Downs could not shed a block.
Allgeier finished with 147 yards on 11 carries. Downs also helped stop rookie Jeremiyah Love on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Dallas should fix his role and the front seven before it leans on the rookie again.
Defensive Numbers Point to Team Failure
Dallas allows 385.4 yards per game, 152.8 rushing yards per game and a 51.4% third-down conversion rate. All three rank last in the NFL, and the Cowboys have forced only six turnovers, tied for 28th. Eight games is a small sample, but the gaps are wide.
Arizona rushed for 202 yards and gained 467 yards in total. The defense also allowed four straight touchdown drives after Gardner Minshew entered the game. That points to the front seven and the secondary as much as it does to Downs.
Caleb Downs Must Create More Turnovers
Dallas needs more game-changing plays from its secondary. The Cowboys have just three interceptions through eight games, putting them near the bottom of the league. Downs has forced two fumbles, but he has yet to intercept a pass and has only one pass deflection.
The concern goes beyond those missed opportunities. Quarterbacks have completed 20 of 24 passes with three touchdowns when Downs was the primary defender. He needs to tighten his coverage, while Dallas must improve the communication and positioning around him. Creating more turnovers starts with giving defenders better chances to make those plays.
Dallas Has Changed Downs’ Role Too Often
The Cowboys drafted Downs to play a hybrid role between nickel corner and safety. They wanted him near the line, where his speed and tackling could shape the run game. Safety injuries pushed him further away from that job.
Against Tampa Bay, he played 42 snaps at safety and seven in the slot. One week later, against Green Bay, he played 40 snaps at slot corner and 20 at safety. His versatility helps, but constant moves make consistency harder.
Cowboys Should Set Clear Goals for Downs
His coverage numbers still need work. Quarterbacks completed 20 of 24 passes against him for 230 yards and three touchdowns. His 146.2 passer rating ranked third-worst among 174 defenders with at least 20 targets. Downs has already lined up in several positions while contributing as a tackler and forcing two fumbles, but Dallas now needs to identify where he can make the biggest impact.
His Pro Football Focus run-defense grade of 68.8 ranked 46th among 98 safeties. He also has 52 tackles, one sack, one pass deflection and 2 forced fumbles. The staff should track his coverage results, run stops and missed tackles in one fixed role.
The Last Word
Dallas should stop treating Downs as the answer to every defensive problem. The unit ranks last in total yards, rushing yards and third-down rate, and two first-round picks have not changed that.
Downs needs a clearer role, and the front seven needs to close clean lanes. His availability for Sunday’s visit to Indianapolis is uncertain. If he plays in a steady role, that game will show whether the fix is working.
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