Cowboys Hold Formal Meeting With Best DB Prospect at NFL Combine

The Dallas Cowboys need help in the secondary, and on Thursday, they met with one of the more versatile defensive backs in the NFL draft.

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs speaks during the Cotton Bowl Media Day. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

News is coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine quickly, as players have been revealing to the media which teams they've met with. One thing we have learned from this is that the Dallas Cowboys, who have multiple needs on defense, have been sitting down with some of the top secondary prospects in the class.

It was already revealed that they met with some of the premier cornerbacks, including Jermod McCoy, Colton Hood, and Mansoor Delane.

They didn't stop there, however, as the Cowboys are also getting to know the top safeties in the class. The No. 1 prospect at the position is Ohio State's Caleb Downs, and he revealed on Thursday that he's already had a formal meeting with Dallas.

Ohio State S Caleb Downs, who had a formal meeting with the #Cowboys per @NickHarrisFWST pic.twitter.com/l5TotZKQTV

— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) February 26, 2026

Downs is an intriguing prospect who had 257 tackles and six interceptions in three seasons with the Buckeyes. He added 16 tackles for loss, proving he can be used in a multitude of roles.

His versatility makes him an ideal fit for the Cowboys, especially after defensive coordinator Christian Parker made it clear how important the slot corner position is to a defense. Downs, who is able to play both safety positions, is also excellent in the slot, making him a chess piece that would solve a lot of problems.

Cowboys would need to get aggressive to land Caleb Downs

Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs gets into position during the 2025 Cotton Bowl. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The chances of Downs being on the board when the Cowboys select at No. 12 are slim. Perhaps enough of the teams ahead of them target other positions, such as EDGE, to help him slide, but that feels like a long shot.

That means the Cowboys will need to get aggressive if they want to move up for Downs. Dallas insider Bryan Broaddus recently floated the idea of trading the 12th and 20th picks to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for No. 6 overall and the Browns' second-round pick, No. 39 overall.

It's an interesting trade idea that would allow the Cowboys to bring in the best safety in the class, while still giving them a decent selection in Round 2.

Cowboys also met with Toledo standout

Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren against the Wyoming Cowboys. | Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In addition to Downs, Dallas had a formal meeting with Toledo's Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, who is generally considered the second-best safety in this class.

More of a bruiser, McNeil-Warren would serve as an enforcer on the back end of the defense. While Downs would be the superior pick, landing McNeil-Warren would add some much-needed toughness in the secondary.

— Sign up for the Cowboys Daily Digest newsletter for more free coverage from Dallas Cowboys on SI —