A few weeks into his NFL journey, Caleb Downs is already getting attention in Dallas. The rookie safety has not played a regular-season game yet, but the way he carries himself has already caught the eye of people around the Cowboys organization. 

One of those people is Dak Prescott. After spending time around Caleb Downs during the offseason program, the Cowboys quarterback understood why the rookie has already been compared to him.

"He's a guy that's a leader just by the way that he carries himself and the way he approaches it," Prescott said. "I know he's leading that rookie class, but he understands the way that the locker room…..quiet and grinding."

The comparison first came from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones after Dallas selected Downs with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

“He reminds me of Dak [Prescott],” Jones said. “He really does. He’s a pied piper.” 

Prescott had heard good things about Downs before meeting him. After spending time with the rookie during the offseason program, he liked what he saw. 

“How professional he is, how calm he is; quiet, yet confident,” Prescott said. “It’s contagious. You feel it.”

During his final year at Ohio State, Downs recorded 68 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, one sack, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles.

More recently, Cowboys legend Michael Irvin was seen greeting Downs during the team's Legends Day event. After meeting the rookie, Irvin could be heard saying, "That boy's a bad boy."

Downs still has to prove himself on the field, but he has already earned respect inside the Cowboys organization. With praise coming from Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones, and Michael Irvin, the rookie is off to a strong start.

Despite early praise, questions remain about his ability to handle a bigger role. That debate now centers on whether Caleb Downs should handle the green dot this early. 

Early Green Dot Debate Around Caleb Downs 

The Cowboys are still deciding who will handle the green dot role in 2026, with coaches set to look at multiple players before making a final call. Rookie Caleb Downs has already become an early name in the discussion. 

However, there is still no clear agreement on whether he is ready for such a demanding leadership responsibility in his first NFL season, despite his strong football IQ and versatility. 

Former Cowboys safety George Teague, speaking on the DLLS Cowboys Podcast, expressed doubts about Caleb Downs taking on that responsibility so early in his career.

"I considered myself very, very smart when I came into the league,” he said. “ I felt like I was prepared, I was high level... but coming in, I still wasn't ready to be that leader with that green dot.”

He also focused on how the NFL is a very different environment from college football.

"As good of a communicator as I could have been, man, that's a whole different level when you come out there. Teague added. “Things are moving fast, things are moving, so many shifts, motions, I wouldn't go there to…..dot for a second."

The Cowboys will continue to look at their options as training camp approaches, with no final decision yet on the green dot role.

What do you think about Caleb Downs' handling of such responsibility this early in his NFL career? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Divyanshi Raj

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote