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When the Dallas Cowboys selected safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick in last April’s NFL draft, it was considered a steal. Cowboys Vice President of player personnel Will McClay revealed just how lucky the team was to have the opportunity to pick Downs.
Coming into the draft, Downs was thought of as a top-5 prospect whom the Cowboys would be extremely unlikely to be able to draft with their first of their two first-round selections. According to McClay on the Doin’ Alright Podcast, the team and their mock draft machine put the percentage of drafting Downs at just 3%.
As McClay mentioned, getting Downs at 11 was like lucking into wide receiver CeeDee Lamb at pick 17 in the 2020 draft. The Cowboys were a longshot to draft Lamb, just they were with Downs, but they prepared for the possibility and didn’t let the opportunity pass. Lamb turned into an All-Pro who is one of the best WRs in the game, and the expectation is that Downs will follow a similar path.
Leading up to the draft, there was a lot of talk about Downs being the top player, but his position would stop him from being among the first few players selected. However, it was also considered inconceivable that Downs could fall outside the top 10 with his talent.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager was told there’s “no chance in hell” that Downs would be available with the Cowboys’ 12th pick overall.
Technically, the experts were right, Dallas swapped a couple of fifth-round picks to secure Downs at 11 overall.
McClay also mentioned the Cowboys’ biggest worry was the rival New York Giants taking their guy with the 5th pick, but they passed to take Downs’ teammate, linebacker Arvell Reese. That means the team was also sweating the Giants’ pick at 10 overall. New head coach John Harbaugh had spoken very highly of Downs in the draft process, but the Giants passed on Downs a second time to select offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
With Downs available at 11, the Cowboys weren’t going to allow their guy to go just one pick in front of them. The team made their move to ensure they landed Downs.
What was thought of as nearly impossible heading into the draft turned into a dream scenario for the Cowboys. They were able to pick arguably the top prospect in the draft and now have Downs to build the defense around.
In the NFL draft, luck often plays a factor, and the Cowboys feel very fortunate to have Caleb Downs on their roster. As the old saying goes: ‘it’s better to be lucky than good.’
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys personnel chief touts cashing in on 3% chance to acquire star
Continue reading...
Coming into the draft, Downs was thought of as a top-5 prospect whom the Cowboys would be extremely unlikely to be able to draft with their first of their two first-round selections. According to McClay on the Doin’ Alright Podcast, the team and their mock draft machine put the percentage of drafting Downs at just 3%.
#Cowboys Will McClay talking about drafting Caleb Downs, watching him fall to them.
McClay said their mock draft machine at one point said they would have a “3% chance” to land Downs.
They felt that after Pick 5 (New York Giants) there was a chance.
Doin’ Alright Podcast) https://t.co/uHlRcEuMxtpic.twitter.com/e3OK5rXWbD
— Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) July 23, 2026
As McClay mentioned, getting Downs at 11 was like lucking into wide receiver CeeDee Lamb at pick 17 in the 2020 draft. The Cowboys were a longshot to draft Lamb, just they were with Downs, but they prepared for the possibility and didn’t let the opportunity pass. Lamb turned into an All-Pro who is one of the best WRs in the game, and the expectation is that Downs will follow a similar path.
Leading up to the draft, there was a lot of talk about Downs being the top player, but his position would stop him from being among the first few players selected. However, it was also considered inconceivable that Downs could fall outside the top 10 with his talent.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager was told there’s “no chance in hell” that Downs would be available with the Cowboys’ 12th pick overall.
Technically, the experts were right, Dallas swapped a couple of fifth-round picks to secure Downs at 11 overall.
McClay also mentioned the Cowboys’ biggest worry was the rival New York Giants taking their guy with the 5th pick, but they passed to take Downs’ teammate, linebacker Arvell Reese. That means the team was also sweating the Giants’ pick at 10 overall. New head coach John Harbaugh had spoken very highly of Downs in the draft process, but the Giants passed on Downs a second time to select offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.
With Downs available at 11, the Cowboys weren’t going to allow their guy to go just one pick in front of them. The team made their move to ensure they landed Downs.
What was thought of as nearly impossible heading into the draft turned into a dream scenario for the Cowboys. They were able to pick arguably the top prospect in the draft and now have Downs to build the defense around.
In the NFL draft, luck often plays a factor, and the Cowboys feel very fortunate to have Caleb Downs on their roster. As the old saying goes: ‘it’s better to be lucky than good.’
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys personnel chief touts cashing in on 3% chance to acquire star
Continue reading...
