The Dallas Cowboys could be in position to land some star power at the No. 12 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
That said, some fans don't think the No. 12 pick will be able to produce a star-level player, especially on defense, like some of the teams picking in the top five are likely to get. However, one name that Cowboy fan have had their eyes on could be falling a bit down the board just enough to allow Dallas to land a future star in the team's secondary for years to come.
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs celebrates after sacking Rutgers Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in the second half of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Per NFL Network's draft insider Daniel Jeremiah, Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs could be falling down the board in first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, which would allow for the Cowboys to potentially make him their top selection next month.Jeremiah said that Downs' slight fall in the first round is a possibility due to the growing way that the safety position is being undervalued along with some of the shortcomings that the Ohio State star possesses. "Weird stuff happens in the safety position. I don't agree with it, but it has been pushed down to some degree," Jeremiah said. "And then with Downs, you're looking at someone who's not big, he's under six feet, he's a little over 200 pounds. He's got short arms. He doesn't have a ton of splash plays." Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs warms up during the NCAA football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Though it may seem like Jeremiah is being overly critical of Downs as a prospect, he added that Downs remains his top safety in the draft, and is simply pointing out reasons that other teams might pass on him before Dallas is on the clock at No. 12 overall. Downs, who played one year at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, finished his college career having played in 44 games while posting 257 total tackles , 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, 12 pass breakups and six interceptions. A two-time All-American and the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Downs also had two punt return touchdowns at Ohio State. Time will tell if the Cowboys make a major splash with Downs at No. 12 overall or be forced to look elsewhere in the first round.Zach Dimmitt was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas and received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He currently is an editor and contributor across several ON SI team sites, including Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI, and contributes to the On SI channels for the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. Zach started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. During his career, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2026 NFL Offseason: Who Joins Cowboys Among 5 Teams Ready to Make Postseason Leap?Which teams are the most primed to make the playoffs in 2026 after missing the postseason in 2025? We rank the teams with the five best chances through the first two weeks of free agency.
Read more »
3 Players Dallas Cowboys Could Target from Texas Pro DayThe Dallas Cowboys have shown interest in multiple Texas Longhorns players.
Read more »
Dallas Cowboys Already Building Connection With Arch ManningThe Dallas Cowboys are already set at quarterback for the foreseeable future but that's not stopping the team from rubbing elbows with next year's potential No. 1 pick.
Read more »
Cowboys to Host Emmitt Smith’s Son for Dallas Day VisitEmmitt Smith's son, EJ Smith, says he will meet with the Dallas Cowboys during their annual Dallas Day event.
Read more »
Biggest Question Dallas Cowboys Still Haven’t Answered After Free AgencyThe Dallas Cowboys brought in several reinforcements on defense early in NFL free agency, but one glaring need remains as the NFL draft approaches.
Read more »
Cowboys’ Most Important Offseason Move Could Be the Key to Contending in 2026The Dallas Cowboys made several moves this offseason, but one stands out as the most important.
Read more »