Caleb Downs faces the Giants in his NFL debut with Dallas

Dallas Cowboys rookie safety Caleb Downs prepares for his NFL debut against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. The Giants passed on selecting Downs twice during the 2026 NFL draft, leading to speculation regarding his potential motivation for the opening matchup. While Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer noted that Downs made mental notes about the teams that bypassed him, the player has publicly downplayed any focus on the draft process. Downs enters the game as a highly regarded prospect who impressed teammates during training camp and minicamp. The matchup serves as the first regular-season test for the Cowboys following their trade to secure the safety at pick No. 11. The Giants initially held the 10th overall pick before selecting offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa, leaving the path clear for Dallas to acquire the former Ohio State defender.

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