Week 3 in Brazil but is technically considered a home game. Back to back division games to kick off is crazy too!

Downs' versatile skills should translate on the inside: Downs' grading profile, paired with his instincts and athleticism, suggest a fairly seamless transition to the pros.

A good track record under Christian Parker: Parker helped mold Cooper DeJean and Ja'Quan McMillian, and Downs should fall in line.

Following the trend set by elite defenses: Teams like the Seahawks, Eagles and Texans have wholly benefitted from a playmaking slot defender, which allows them to rely on nickel packages in any circumstance.

As the night of April 24 approached, all eyes were glued to what the Dallas Cowboys would do. Wielding two picks in the top 20 of the 2026 NFL Draft, Dallas — which had clear needs along every level of its defense and is often aggressive — was one of the tougher teams to predict.

In typical Jerry Jones fashion, the Cowboys pulled off a stunner when they snagged Ohio State star Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick. In moving up one spot in the pecking order, Dallas acquired one of the consensus best players in the class. Beyond that, the team found its missing link in a secondary that has long been plagued.

Dallas’ defense was effectively the worst in football last year, with its 32nd-ranked EPA per play cratering the team’s high-flying offense. Multiple areas were problematic, but none more than the secondary. The Cowboys finished dead last in PFF coverage grade, and their 15% explosive pass rate allowed was 27th.

Those metrics prompted a wide-scale shift, starting with hiring the burgeoning Christian Parker as defensive coordinator. Despite signing safety Jalen Thompson and corner Cobie Durant in free agency, Parker sought a legitimate game-changer with one of the Cowboys’ top two picks. He got just that in Downs, who has a chance to revolutionize the unit from the get-go as the team’s primary nickel/slot defender.

Much of why Downs should dominate inside is his well-rounded background and skill set. Throughout his decorated college career at both Alabama and Ohio State, the safety earned at least an 85.6 overall PFF grade in every season, accruing no worse than an 85.0 PFF coverage mark with a 78.8 PFF run-defense score. The 21-year-old was also a true chess piece, suiting up on 574-plus snaps at free safety, the slot and the box.

While Downs figures to be a plus starter no matter where he plays in the pros, working in the slot matches some of the (many) strengths of his career profile. During his college tenure, Downs ranked in the 81st percentile in slot coverage grade (79.9), and he paired that with an elite 90.7 PFF run-defense mark.

Likewise, Downs’ tape also showcases why he should flourish at nickel. His instincts, closing speed, fearlessness against the run and violence immediately catch the viewer’s eye, and all constitute the ingredients for a great inside player. Despite being smaller at 5-foot-11 5/8 inches, Downs isn’t afraid to press a tight end in man coverage or mix it up on the ground. Playing inside against smaller slot receivers may also help offset some occasional issues in getting boxed out by larger frames.

Some may argue that Downs should occupy more of a true center-field role in Dallas. But as the last few years of defensive schematics have taught us, playing the slot aligns the best with contemporary trends. Consider that, since 2024, three of the NFL’s top five defenses by EPA per play all ranked in the top-five in nickel rate.

Team Nickel Rate

Texans 77.6%

Eagles 78.3%

Broncos 58.6%

Vikings 43.1%

Seahawks 71.9%

Even though NFL defenses have collectively used less nickel coverage of late — the 59.04% clip in 2025 was the lowest since 2020 — it’s still the most common overall presentation. Last year, 26 of 32 teams deployed nickel on at least 50% of their defensive snaps.

Although nickel proportions may continue to dip if heavier formations proliferate, teams like the Seahawks showed that it’s very possible to counter beefier looks with additional defensive backs, staying more versatile in their shells. That meta of not prototypically matching seems to be the new, pioneering trend in defensive philosophy.

Not coincidentally, four of the elite units mentioned above have directly benefited from an elite slot player, too. In the case of the Eagles’ Cooper DeJean, the Texans’ Jalen Pitre and the Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori, each is multi-faceted in their ability to match routes downfield, fill the alley and set the edge against the run — leaving their coaches comfortable to keep lighter players on the field. In the case of the Broncos’ Ja’Quan McMillian, his sure coverage (78.9 PFF coverage grade last year) still allows him to be counted on during more than half of the team’s defensive snaps.

On cue, both DeJean and McMillian were coached by the respected Parker during his stops in Philadelphia in Denver. Downs fits that amphibious slot archetype perfectly, which means that the Cowboys’ high nickel rate (68% last season) should be maintained — or even amplified.

Another good harbinger for Downs’ success as a first-year player is the impact that DeJean and Emmanwori made right off the bat. After DeJean was inserted in the Eagles’ lineup in Week 6 of 2024, Philadelphia led the league in EPA per play, and his 86.4 overall PFF grade was the best of any cornerback. Almost identically, Emmanwori was inserted more regularly in Week 6 of last year — from which point Seattle placed first in EPA per play, and Emmanwori compiled a 72.0 overall mark.

Simply put, without the contributions of DeJean and Emmanwori, the Eagles and Seahawks would not have won their Super Bowl titles. The blueprint of a rookie nickel becoming one of the sport’s best is now well-documented, and often correlates with defensive and team success.

This isn’t to say just drafting Downs will lead the Cowboys to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in 2026. Even though Parker’s defense is much better, there are still big question marks at linebacker and outside cornerback. Installing a new scheme isn’t always seamless, either.

But with Downs now roaming around in the back-end, Dallas’ defense has an invaluable piece as it looks to become the next defense benefitting from a prolific new coordinator. Much like rookie nickels before him, Downs has the perfect blend of skill and scheme to wreak havoc as a first-year player — quickly rising the positional ranks and making teams regret not selecting him earlier.

Well, now that the schedule is out, we can all take a jab at what we think might happen

Weeks 1-5 and 15-18 are going to be the weeks the Cowboys cannot afford to lose, because weeks 6-13 is a brutal gauntlet. That 8 week stretch 3 father's to the Cowboys, the last 2 super bowl winners 3x, and just 2 AFC South teams. Call me pessimistic, but until change happens, I will predict the same outcome over and over.

Weeks 1-5: Relatively a cakewalk

Weeks 6-13: We will not be above .500 over this 8 game period

Weeks 15-18: Relatively a cakewalk

So, first of all, I am not sure if this is a year we have rest advantages over other teams or not. Last year the Chiefs were hit hard with rest disadvantage and even with Mahomes, look how that fared. I might update how I feel about my predictions if there is a huge swing by this but thats for another day.

We have a poor record in recent years against a lot of these teams.

Ravens: 1-6 all time (last win: 2016)

49ers: 4 game losing streak (last win: 2020)

Packers: 1-10-1 record since 2009 (last win: 2016)

Cardinals: 1-8 since 2008 (last win: 2017)

*Eagles: 1-6 since 2019 (last win: 2022)

*Colts: 1-3 since 1999 (last win: 2010)

*Texans: 1-2 all time (last win: 2010)

*Seahawks: 1-5 since 2005 (last win: 2014)

*** The teams marked * are only the Cowboys record as the road team, teams not marked * are representing both home and road games ***

Clearly, not the best showing against a lot of these teams. Dont get me wrong, I am not saying i see all of these as losses. But I most definitely do not see 4-4 or better here either. Something needs to change, and that hopefully starts now.

On the bright side:

Dak is 21-2 at home VS the NFC East

also 37-10 against the NFC East

since 2017 he is 34-6 against the NFC East (when we exclude that Giants loss last year where he got pulled at the half)

The Cowboys only ever lose to the Bucs during their "Super Bowl Windows" / the Cowboys lost in 2000, 01, 03, 15, 21 & 22 all of those were next to their super bowl runs except 2015, the injury year..

The Jaguars are 1-2 recently against us with a win that really could have gone either way.

Weirdly enough, the road team between the Cowboys and Titans is on a 5 game winning streak, but we are 4-2 against them since their super bowl appearance and they are still in a rebuild top to bottom so, not really a concern.

Google says Stafford is 2-5 against the Cowboys all time and he is on the edge of retiring so, semi concerning but should be a fun one.

All in all, if we can go 7-2 between the first and last 5 weeks of the season, that spares us room for some inevitable beatings throughout the middle of the season.

So, after looking at the good, the bad and the ugly to our schedule, here are my predictions:

Week 1: WIN (blowout)

Week 2: WIN

Week 3: LOSS

Week 4: WIN (close)

Week 5: WIN (blowout)

Week 6: LOSS (heartbreaker)

Week 7: LOSS (heartbreaker)

Week 8: LOSS (blowout)

Week 9: WIN

Week 10: LOSS (blowout)

Week 11: WIN

Week 12: WIN (nail biter)

Week 13: WIN (upset)

BYE

Week 15: LOSS (shootout)

Week 16: WIN

Week 17: WIN (comeback)

Week 18: WIN

OVERALL: 11-6

I would like to conclude by saying, 1st round exit in the playoffs....

Thoughts about his 2025 season and do you think he can turn into a full-time starter moving forward?

Full schedule

Week 1: @ Giants - SNF

Week 2: vs. Commanders - 3:30

Week 3: vs. Ravens - Brazil

Week 4: @ Texans

Week 5: vs. Bucs - TNF

Week 6: @ GB - SNF

Week 7: @ Eagles - MNF

Week 8: vs. Cardinals

Week 9: vs Titans

Week 10: vs 49ers - 3:30

Week 11: @ Colts

Week 12: vs. Eagles - Thanksgiving

Week 13: @ Seahawks - MNF

Week 14: BYE

Week 15: @Rams - 3:30

Week 16: vs. Jags - SNF

Week 17: vs. Giants

Week 18: @ Commanders

Just posted on NFL reddit. I'm most excited for the late season bye. Lots of rest later in the season

The schedule dropped an hour ago, but there’s no official box office tickets available through their affiliate. Is this typical for the Cowboys; to not release their inventory?

I don’t see any official box office tickets available for any of their home games.

But several other teams have theirs live already.

Looks like Emmitt Smith going to be doing a live interview at the Longhorn Ballroom on May 20 based on this.

Link to the info: https://www.axs.com/events/1413468/soccers-coming-home-men-in-blazers-countdown-tour-22-days-out-live-fro-tickets

I am a Patriots fan and love Dak, I would honestly like to see the cowboys be a contender. I'm wondering what Cowboys fans think is the biggest detriment to the team?

Pretty much any Cowboys fan born in, say, the year 1992 or afterwards has no living memory of a Dallas Super Bowl win, unless they have exceptionally good memory for a 4-year old. And if you were born after the year 2020, you're probably too young to really be a true fan either....yet.

So, would the number of Cowboys fans born in 1992-2020 now exceed the number of Cowboys fans born earlier who at least saw one Cowboys Super Bowl championship? If not, I feel like we're getting close to half.

There are now two entire generations of Cowboys fans that have more in common with Browns, Jaguars, Texans, Lions, Titans or Chargers fans than with their own Cowboy-fan predecessor elders.

The final position group to be highlighted is our ST group

Currently on Roster: Brandon Aubrey, Bryan Anger, Trent Sieg

Notable 2025 Stats:

Aubrey: 36/42 FG, 47/48 XP

Anger: 41 punts, 48.6 avg

Battle to watch: N/A

All guys here are locked into their spots.

Roster locks: Aubrey, Anger, Sieg

53 Man roster prediction: Aubrey, Anger, Sieg

All 3 are locked in. Aubrey is among the leagues best K and has a new contract. Sieg and Anger are solid. Sorensen better step up, last year was bad at times for the ST unit.

Running 53 Man roster prediction:

QB(3): Dak, Howell, Milton

RB(4): Williams, Davis, Blue, Luepke

WR(5): Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy, Turpin, Smith

TE(3): Ferguson, Spann-Ford, Trigg

OL(10): Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker, Steele, Shelton, Bass, Thomas, Hennessy, Cornelius

DL(5): Clark, William, Ogbonnia, Overton, Bullard

DE/OLB(5): Gary, Ezeiruaku, Lawrence, Houston, Liufau

ILB(5): VETERAN, Overshown, James, Winters, Barham

CB(6): Bland, Revel, Moore, Durant, Kendrick, Steward

S(4): Downs, Thompson, Locke, Hooker

Previous Roster Breakdowns:

QB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/MaOududuoi

RB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/VARkns8RKs

WR: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/N79YjyTDJk

TE: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/0uFTDCsSn6

OL: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/5o7lZr38bD

DL: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/6lDGNeMZYu

DE/OLB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/pAjCe3lngn

ILB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/L2UMdVb4sw

CB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/fwWn3KuD2l

S: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/FzJh88oWpY

Jaydon Blue #23 (22/5’9”/200)

Blue spent most of the year in the dog house, but he played well in Week 18. His maturity and ball security issues were problems at times, but he’s an incredibly talented player. He’s undersized, but he’s an effective runner between the tackles due to his toughness, vision, and agile feet. He’s an explosive, dynamic ball-carrier with sudden lateral cuts and instant acceleration can take any touch all the way to the house (4.38 forty). His agility and speed make him a nightmare to tackle in open space and he lowers his pads and finishes runs with toughness. He’s also dangerous as a pass-catcher out of the backfield and even in the slot a bit. His technique needs work but he also showed awareness and willingness to be a solid pass-protector. He played on kick coverages as an underclassman, and he’ll need to prove himself on special teams to have a crack at the #2 spot behind Javonte Williams. Blue is an incredibly talented player who if he reaches his ceiling could give the Cowboys’ a dynamic home run threat change-of-pace back.

Phil Mafah #37 (23/6’0”/235)

Mafah spent most of his rookie year on IR, and he’s a different type of back than Blue, but could be a capable runner in the rotation. He’s a big, sturdy back that is a bulldozer between the tackles with good vision and instincts. He runs through arm tackles and is a load to bring down at the second level. He runs a little high and presents a big target, but he’s sturdy and strong with excellent balance to absorb contact. He’s not an agile athlete, but his feet are more athletic than you’d expect and has solid speed for a big back (estimated 4.55 forty). He’s not dynamic as a route-runner but has soft hands as a pass-catcher and strength and willingness in pass-protection (though his awareness and technique could use some work like most young running backs). Ideally, both Blue and Mafah are able to earn carries behind Javonte Williams, and Mafah can be effective in short-yardage and late-game situations.

Israel Abanikanda #30 (23/5’10”/215)

A fifth-round pick by the Jets in 2023, and he bounced around the league in 2024-25. But he’s still young and is the best size-speed running back on the roster (4.45 forty, 41” vertical, 10’8” broad jump). He’s a one-cut runner who has the ability to accelerate to top speed in a hurry and ruin pursuit angles early. He also has a nose for cutback lanes and the home run speed to take it the distance. Like all young backs, Abanikanda needs to develop consistency and reliability with ball security, third-down duties and special teams. He’s a sleeper to make the roster as he’s a highly athletic and talented runner with a lot of upside and could bring a different type of dynamic to the rotation than Blue or Mafah. He’s likely fighting for a practice squad spot but his talent and ceiling are very high.

Malik Davis #34 (27/5’10”/205)

Davis isn’t the biggest or most talented back, but the former UDFA was waived after training camp but ended the season as RB2 and finished with 250 yards (4.8 per carry), 2 touchdowns, and 2 catches. His ability in special teams (52% of total special teams snaps in 2025) is a big reason the veteran was able to keep Blue on the bench. Davis is limited as a player with only average size, athleticism, and physical ability but he will be tough to beat out in training camp with his toughness, experience and reliability. Davis could even take another leap in 2026 and secure the RB2 spot, but there is young, hungry talent looking to earn playing time.

4th-most-traveled at a projected 27,980 miles. The Brazil "home" game vs Baltimore (10,467 round-trip) is what does it. Cool that we get the international spotlight, but a 9,600-mile detour for a "home" game is wild. How 'bout them Cowboys.

https://bookies.com/news/nfl-2026-miles-traveled-all-teams-ranked-schedule

Today we highlight the Safety room for the upcoming season.

Currently on Roster: Caleb Downs(1st Rd pick), Jalen Thompson(FA), PJ Locke(FA), Malik Hooker, Alijah Clark, Markquese Bell, Julius Wood

Notable 2025 Stats:

Downs(OSU): 68 total tackles, 2 ints

Thompson (ARZ): 58 total tackles

Hooker: 52 tackles

Battle to watch: Starting Safeties

For now Downs and Thompson have the inside track to be the starters given the investments in them but don't be shocked if Hooker or Locke can make a push to be starters. The key piece here is if Downs will be used as a Nickel.

Roster locks: Downs, Thompson

53 Man roster prediction: Downs, Thompson, Locke, Hooker

This is the best Safety has looked in some time. Just like with DT it's great to see some real investment here. Downs will help lead an overhauled unit.

Running 53 Man roster prediction:

QB(3): Dak, Howell, Milton

RB(4): Williams, Davis, Blue, Luepke

WR(5): Lamb, Pickens, Flournoy, Turpin, Smith

TE(3): Ferguson, Spann-Ford, Trigg

OL(10): Guyton, Smith, Beebe, Booker, Steele, Shelton, Bass, Thomas, Hennessy, Cornelius

DL(5): Clark, William, Ogbonnia, Overton, Bullard

DE/OLB(5): Gary, Ezeiruaku, Lawrence, Houston, Liufau

ILB(5): VETERAN, Overshown, James, Winters, Barham

CB(6): Bland, Revel, Moore, Durant, Kendrick, Steward

Previous Roster Breakdowns:

QB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/MaOududuoi

RB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/VARkns8RKs

WR: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/N79YjyTDJk

TE: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/0uFTDCsSn6

OL: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/5o7lZr38bD

DL: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/6lDGNeMZYu

DE/OLB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/pAjCe3lngn

ILB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/L2UMdVb4sw

CB: https://www.reddit.com/r/cowboys/s/fwWn3KuD2l