dallasnews
OXNARD, Calif. — Rookies are typically expected to absorb knowledge rather than dispense it. But after just one practice, first-round selection Caleb Downs has already flipped that script.
On Thursday, ahead of the Cowboys' second training camp session, head coach Brian Schottenheimer presented the team with video evidence of Downs' standout trait: an uncanny ability to avoid repeating errors.
Schottenheimer showed two clips. The first came from minicamp, where Downs was beaten by CeeDee Lamb — widely regarded as one of the NFL's premier route runners — on a quick out route. The second clip, from Wednesday's practice, featured the same route in man coverage. This time, Downs blanketed Lamb perfectly.
"Caleb gloved him," Schottenheimer said. "And it was to the point that [I made to the team] about Caleb: he doesn't repeat mistakes."
That quality helps explain why the Cowboys are not easing Downs into action. Instead, they have thrown him directly into the deep end, and so far he has been swimming with ease.
Downs has been the clear starter at nickel corner throughout minicamp and the first two days of training camp. He has lined up in the box, matched up against Lamb and KaVontae Turpin in the slot, blitzed off the edge, and dropped back to play deep free safety. He has also worked as a backup personal protector on punt coverage and fielded punts.
Schottenheimer said the team does not intend to overload Downs, but when asked if that is even possible, he replied: "We have instincts that say he can handle a lot of this stuff. I think when you go to Alabama and you play as a freshman, in maybe one of the most complex defenses there is, what we saw from him in the spring, and what I want to see from him out here is just to get better every day. The mind works incredibly fast. I mean, the way he sees things, the instincts, his ability to diagnose, the communication."
Key Analysis
Downs' rapid assimilation echoes his childhood, when at age four he would arrange replica figurines from 10 different colleges on miniature football field mats, pitting them against each other. That early passion for learning the game has never faded. "Really, I'm just trying to be a student of the game every day," said Downs, a multi-time All-American and the 11th overall pick. "I pay attention to route concepts, I pay attention to what we're trying to do as a defense and put it all together. That's a big thing in just being able to see the game and make plays when my number is called."
Downs has already answered the call multiple times: the tight coverage on Lamb, a fumble recovery forced by outside linebacker Rashan Gary, and more. But there have also been learning moments. Lamb got revenge on a slant route for big yards Thursday, and Downs was fooled by quarterback Dak Prescott on a screen to Javonte Williams that went for a big gain. The Cowboys fully expect Downs to not repeat those mistakes.
"It's just film study," Downs said. "The same thing I've been doing since I was a kid. Just making sure I'm watching everything that I need to watch and going from there, and making sure that whenever the play comes back, then I make the play then."
That ability to learn has the Cowboys embracing high expectations for Downs. "I don't think we can put anything on Caleb Downs that is above what he expects for himself," Schottenheimer said. "He's a young player, he's a rookie, he's going to make mistakes, but like I said in the spring, and I'll say it again: Caleb's not going to repeat mistakes. And that is a sign of a young man that understands Xs and Os in football and he's wired the right way."
When asked what expectations he holds for himself, Downs cracked a smile and answered confidently: "That's for me to know, and y'all to find out."
Originally reported by dallasnews.