Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys
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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones looks on a game against the Denver Broncos.
Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have been busy to kick off the 2026 NFL season, but they haven’t made a blockbuster addition to boost their Super Bowl odds heavily just yet.
Heading into the offseason, Jones had been very vocal about being willing to spend big money to pursue a championship. While the Cowboys have made some solid additions, they haven’t pulled off anything crazy.
At this point in time, the headliner move of the Dallas offseason has been the trade to acquire pass rusher Rashan Gary from the Green Bay Packers. To make that deal happen, the Cowboys only had to give up a 2027 fourth-round pick.
Other offseason moves include the signing of safety Jalen Thompson, cornerback Cobie Durant, and placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens.
With that being said, Dallas has been predicted to land arguably the biggest steal of the entire NFL offseason.
Dallas Cowboys Land Prediction to Pull Off Massive NFL Draft Steal
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt has released a new mock draft. In that mock draft, he has the Cowboys and Jones happily landing Ohio State standout safety Caleb Downs with the No. 12 overall pick.
Some mock drafts have Downs being selected as high as the top-five, but Klatt sees a path to him slipping all the way to pick 12.
“This is exactly what I had the Cowboys doing in my first mock draft. I think Downs is good enough to be drafted earlier than this, but he might get hurt by positional value,” Klatt wrote.
“Still, Downs is sensational and could elevate a Dallas defense that was the worst in scoring this past season. Ohio State’s entire defense was built around Downs, winning a national championship as a result. Jerry Jones, don’t overthink it.”
What Would Caleb Downs Bring to the Dallas Defense?
There have been few defensive prospects in recent NFL Draft history with higher upside than Downs brings with him into the league.
In his three college football seasons, his freshman year being played at Alabama and the last two at Ohio State, Downs put up big-time production. He compiled 256 total tackles to go along with 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, six interceptions, and 10 defended passes.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has revealed a quote from an NFC scouting director, who revealed a potential NFL comparison for Downs.
“He plays a lot like Budda (Baker) when he was coming out of Washington,” the scouting director said. “Similar mentality and playing style.”
Downs has real superstar potential entering the NFL. If Dallas can land him at No. 12, it would be the steal of the draft. Should Downs reach his full ceiling, it could go down as the steal of the entire offseason.