The Cowboys had plenty to sort through after Week 1, but one rookie gave them a real reason to feel better about the night. Caleb Downs, in his first NFL action, flashed exactly the kind of versatility and force Dallas can build around.
Pro Football Focus took a close look at the league’s first-round rookies coming out of the opener, and Downs came away with one of the stronger showings among safeties. Dalton Wasserman noted that Downs posted a 68.9 PFF grade and made his biggest impact with a strip sack of Jaxson Dart that nearly turned into a turnover.
He also logged a run stop among his six tackles. Coverage wasn’t where he made his mark, but PFF pointed to his versatility and physical style as clear positives throughout the game.
That strip sack may have been the best defensive play Dallas made all night. The Cowboys couldn’t finish the job, though, and that’s been the frustrating part of their opener as a whole. They forced four fumbles and came away with only one recovery, and one more bounce their way could easily have changed the outcome on Sunday night.
Still, the individual performance matters here. Downs was on the field for 61 defensive snaps, including 34 at slot cornerback and seven at linebacker. With Malik Hooker expected to miss the next several weeks because of a fractured forearm, that workload is likely to climb in Week 2.
What happens next will be worth watching closely. Dallas still has to figure out where Downs fits best in coverage - whether that means keeping him as a slot defender, moving him onto tight ends, or leaning on him more as a true free safety with Hooker sidelined.
The encouraging part is that he looks capable of handling just about any of it. There will be ups and downs along the way, but Downs already looks like one of the defense’s top players and a real playmaker. Christian Parker would be wise to keep sending him on blitzes, especially with the pass rush lacking punch.
For Dallas, the debut was a solid one. And if the Cowboys are going to steady themselves, Downs may need an even bigger role in the weeks ahead.
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