Cowboys fans expect big things from Caleb Downs this year

It is impressive how big the expectations are for Caleb Downs.

Is it possible we’re hyping Caleb Downs up too much?

It is a legitimate question considering how absolutely giddy Dallas Cowboys fans have been about getting Downs in the draft. It felt mostly like a pipe dream before the draft, but now we are living in the reality.

Downs has been called the best defensive player in the draft, one of the highest football IQ rookies in a long time, and various other accolades, even the lofty ‘generational player’. That’s a lot to heap upon a rookie.

But we’re going to heap some more. We asked you where Downs would end up in the Defensive Rookie of the Year vote at the end of 2026. A majority of Cowboys fans (53%) think he will outright win it! Another 25% thought he would finish somewhere between third and fifth.

Bonus question: Will Downs be the MVP of the Dallas defense? Or will someone else rise to the top? Let us know who you think the defensive MVP for Dallas will be.