The Dallas Cowboys made a lot of moves this offseason, but one signing is already paying off big time. Team owner Jerry Jones is getting a lot of praise for bringing in veteran safety P.J. Locke on a one-year, $3.5 million deal in March. 

While Locke was signed to strengthen Dallas' secondary, the veteran has already made an impact by mentoring first-round rookie Caleb Downs. Speaking on the Blueprint Podcast, Locke shared that he always stays after practice to do extra drills with Caleb Downs.

“And after practice, like I always do extra, so I took a couple guys in, and he wasn't with me at first," Locke said. "And then he kind of came, and kind of started being around a little bit, and I was like, 'Come on, man. Let's do it."

During the NFL Draft, the Cowboys traded up to select Downs from Ohio State. Per Locke's statement in the Blueprint podcast, the team expects the talented rookie to lead their defense under new coordinator Christian Parker.

However, learning a new NFL system and fixing the team's coverage issues is a massive challenge for a first-year player.

Thankfully, Locke already knows Coach Parker's system perfectly from their time together in Denver. He has taken Downs under his wing to help him learn the playbook. The two safeties now stay late every single day to work on extra drills together.

According to Jerry Trotta of The Landry Hat, Locke is already validating the front office's decision in his signing, making Jerry Jones earn praise for his intelligence. What Locke brings goes well beyond snaps on the field.

He has taken the future cornerstone of Dallas' defense, Downs, under his wing while also proving himself as a solid depth option, and that combination already makes Locke's $3.5 million deal look like money well spent.

Locke's willingness to mentor Downs could become one of the biggest reasons Dallas' offseason signing pays off in the long run.

Caleb Downs is the X factor for the Cowboys' new defense

Locke's mentorship could prove especially valuable because the Cowboys are counting on Downs to become an immediate difference-maker in their revamped defense.

That responsibility becomes even greater under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, whose revamped defense will rely heavily on Downs' development.

With DC Christian Parker taking the reins as defensive coordinator, the unit features a revamped core including Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark, and Rashan Gary. 

While explosive playmakers like George Pickens and DeMarvion Overshown are vital to Brian Schottenheimer’s overall roster dynamics, ESPN’s Seth Walder names Downs as the true X-Factor for Dallas. 

"The Cowboys need defensive playmaking to come from somewhere," Walder added,”...But if there's going to be a long-term, positive change to this defense, it could come from Downs -- for whom the Cowboys traded up to select at No. 11.”

Expecting a rookie to instantly anchor a defense is a heavy burden, but Downs possesses the elite tools required for Parker’s system. If he hits the ground running, he could single-handedly transform Dallas into a formidable contender. 

If Downs develops into the defensive leader Dallas expects, Locke's $3.5 million signing may be remembered as one of Jerry Jones' smartest offseason moves, both on and off the field.

What are your thoughts on Caleb Downs' performance in the 2026 season? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aaindri Thakuri

Edited by

Rudra Dubey