The Dallas Cowboys have no shortage of options heading into the first round of the NFL Draft. But depending on how things shake out in front of them, they might not have as much control as they’d like-especially if the New York Giants decide to make a bold move.
New Giants head coach John Harbaugh joined Mike Francesa on The Mike Francesa Podcast this week and didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts on one of the most coveted defensive players in this year’s draft: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. And if you’re a Cowboys fan hoping to see Downs in a star on his helmet, Harbaugh’s comments might’ve felt like a punch to the gut.
“If we have a chance to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me,” Harbaugh said. “We’ll take the best player.
When you draft that high, you take the best player... That guy would be just fine with me.
I’d take him in a second.”
That’s not just coach-speak. That’s a coach putting his stamp on a player who fits exactly what he wants to build in New York.
Harbaugh knows elite safety play when he sees it. He’s coached legends like Ed Reed and Brian Dawkins-players who didn’t just change games, they changed eras.
So when he talks about Downs as a future Hall of Famer, it’s not hyperbole. It’s a football mind recognizing another one.
And with the Giants holding the fifth overall pick-the highest Harbaugh’s ever had as a head coach-they’re in prime position to make that vision a reality.
From a scouting perspective, Downs checks every box. He’s a rangy, instinctive safety who can cover ground from sideline to sideline.
He can match up with wideouts in man coverage, play the deep middle, and isn’t afraid to come downhill and make a tackle. He’s as complete a safety as we’ve seen enter the league in years, and his football IQ is off the charts.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt recently called him the smartest defender he’s ever covered in college football, and projected him as a future All-Pro. That’s high praise-and it’s not just talk. The tape backs it up.
Now, here’s where things get tricky for Dallas. The Cowboys have long been linked to Downs in mock drafts, and it’s easy to see why.
After a season where their secondary struggled mightily in coverage, a player like Downs would be a game-changer. He’s the kind of defensive anchor who could thrive under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, bringing a much-needed presence to the back end.
But if the Giants strike first, all of that could go up in smoke.
Plenty of mock drafts have New York taking a wide receiver like Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, and that’s still on the table. But Harbaugh’s comments suggest that if Downs is there at No. 5, he might be too good to pass up. And if that happens, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office will have to pivot fast.
Dallas does have some flexibility. They’ve got draft capital to move around if they choose.
But watching a division rival scoop up a player who fits your defense like a glove? That’s not just frustrating-it’s potentially franchise-altering.
There’s still a lot that can happen between now and draft night. But one thing is clear: Caleb Downs is a player who could shift the balance of power in the NFC East. And if the Giants get to him first, the Cowboys might be left scrambling to fill a need they thought they had covered.