When the NFL draft process started in late January and early February, once it was clear where the Dallas Cowboys would be picking and how they could begin to evaluate their options, it did not appear that Ohio State star Caleb Downs would be within their reach, that he would not slip out of the Top 10. But even with his obvious and massive talent, safeties are not considered a premium position, and that was the one thing that left open the possibility of Downs falling to the 12th overall pick.

ESPN’s Peter Schrager, perhaps the only national figure who correctly predicted the Cowboys drafting Tyler Booker last season, does have Downs going to the Cowboys at No. 12. And if it is not Downs who falls, increasingly, there is chatter that his teammate, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles, will fall to No. 12–if the Cowboys don’t trade up for him.

But it’s already been known that the Cowboys had a visit with Styles ahead of the draft. Now, we can add Downs to that mix, too.

Cowboys Hold Meeting With Caleb Downs

That’s according to NFL reporter Ryan Fowler, who wrote on Twitter/X that, “The Dallas Cowboys are hosting Ohio State SAF Caleb Downs for a 30 visit, per league source. Potential option early on night one.”

The big question when it comes to Downs–or Styles for that matter–is whether the Cowboys can stand pat at No. 12 and let one of them fall, or whether they’d have to trade up. Dallas does have the 20th overall pick, but it is doubtful the Cowboys would want to move both of those picks to get into the Top 5. But Dallas does not have a second-round pick, which limits their options.

Caleb Downs Set to Drop From Top 10?

Schraeger talked with RJ Ochoa of the Blogging the Boys site about Downs and the Cowboys, and pointed out that safeties have a tendency to drop in the draft because they’re not considered a vital position. Kyle Hamilton, Derwin James and Nick Emmanwori are all stars, but all three slid in their respective drafts, because they’re safeties.

Downs could be next.

Said Schraeger: “No one thought he could possibly slip out of the Top 10. But I look at this draft, I look at the position, and the value in what these teams need. Safety has almost been a luxury for a lot of these teams how they view the draft. …

“The Cowboys have defensive back needs. I think it is a perfect fit and I think the match between new defensive coordinator, and I have known him for years, and the way he speaks, the way he preaches versatility and the way he preaches the ability to play multiple spots along that defensive backfield, that’s everything Caleb Downs has been.”

Cowboys Did Load up on Safeties

The Cowboys do have defensive back needs–but at corner, not so much at safety. They invested heavily in the position in free agency, adding Jalen Thompson, PJ Locke and restructuring Malik Hooker‘s contract, making it highly unlikely they’d cut ties with him. Using most of your free-agent money and your most valuable draft pick on safeties would be … unusual.

But Downs is a different animal, whose versatility and able to slide all over the defense would be ideal for new coordinator Christian Parker.

Said Schraeger: “Caleb Downs, I look at their new defensive coordinator, and I look at what his specialty is—it’s defensive backs—and I am telling you, I know Christian and he is a 34-year-old who is all about creativity, high energy and smarts. Caleb Downs, (Ohio State DC) Matt Patricia told me, when he joins whatever team he joins, he will immediately be the smartest player on that defense and the face of the franchise. Well, that’s a pretty good recommendation, that’s fairly nice.”