The Dallas Cowboys somehow ended up with Caleb Downs, and even two months later, it still doesn’t feel real. A top collegiate talent at a position of need seems like a match made in heaven for this team. But it goes even further. Not only do they get a dynamic playmaker, but they have secured a cultural insurance policy. That’s important. In a league laced with unfortunate fallouts from players who have made terrible decisions, it is nice to get someone with a good head on their shoulders.
It’s not always so pleasant for teams. Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold is the latest cautionary tale. He was so wanted by his former team that they traded a third-round pick to the Cowboys to move up a few spots to get him in the first round. He’s a two-pick investment. And it feels like every year, a new wide receiver decides to drive excessively and endanger the lives of others, or a defensive lineman is involved in a domestic issue. Losing a first-round pick to off-field issues is a devastating blow to a franchise.
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In recent years, the Cowboys have avoided Day 1 pitfalls, but they have been bitten before when they rolled the dice on some red flag character players. Randy Gregory and Kelvin Joseph are second-round picks who had trouble staying on the field. The Cowboys have had their share of problem players.
On the other side of the script are those gold star character players who thrived. DeMarcus Ware and Jason Witten had amazing careers. Sean Lee and Dak Prescott are amazing humans and leaders. It is fun to root for those guys because you just know they are going to give it their all, on and off the field.
A bad character player can have huge repercussions. It does not just waste money or a draft pick, but it can create an unfillable hole on the roster. Suspensions can completely derail a team’s playoff-contending prospects, whereas high-character saviors are the complete opposite. They provide high-chance availability and act as cultural anchors in the locker room.
And that is exactly what the Cowboys have in Downs. The team’s new safety has an obsessive work ethic and legendary preparation habits. Extra film, extra lifting, and extra whatever he can do to get better is just normal operating procedure. He is praised for his intelligence and possesses a coach-like mindset. He is a continuous learner, he speaks loudly, and he is touted for never making the same mistake twice. Fool me once…well, you know the saying.
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Downs’ character maxes out his availability. He is highly coachable, emotionally sound, and at no risk of losing precious development time to off-field drama. Even as a rookie, his maturity allows the coaches to throw everything at him, knowing a good amount of it will stick.
The Cowboys’ landing Downs 11th overall remains an amazing steal for this football team. They did not just get a stud talent, they got a locker room cornerstone. This team has rolled the dice before, and like the rest of the league, when you mess around, you find out. Those worries do not exist with Downs, as the front office has made its own luck by keeping things simple and drafting a true professional.
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