Apr 23, 2026, 09:16 PM ETOpen Extended Reactions
The Dallas Cowboys traded up one spot to the No. 11 pick and selected Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs on Thursday.
The Miami Dolphins received the No. 12 pick and two fifth-round selections (177 and 180) from Dallas.
With the No. 12 pick, the Dolphins selected Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.
Downs, the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award winner, given to the nation's best defensive back, was a big-time tackler, registering 68 tackles, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season on the Buckeyes' talent-laden defense. Downs impressed coaches and scouts with his ability to quickly diagnose plays.
He was a consensus All-American pick in both 2024 and 2025.
Downs, who began his college career with Alabama before transferring to Ohio State in 2024, had six interceptions in his college career.
