Von Miller made it clear that Caleb Downs has already earned his respect inside the Dallas Cowboys locker room, even before playing his first regular season game. At the start of the training camp, Dak Prescott expresses his thoughts on Downs and now, Miller, after voting the rookie defender as a captain, explained why he thinks so.
While discussing how the Cowboys defense can handle the inevitable challenges of the upcoming season in a podcast, Miller revealed that he voted for the rookie safety to serve as an additional captain.
The Cowboys have several established leaders, including Prescott, Quinnen Williams and Brandon Aubrey. Miller also pointed to DeMarvion Overshown as important voices on the defense before explaining his own captain vote. “I actually voted for Caleb Downs to be our bonus captain,” Miller said when asked if he really voted for Downs despite him being a rookie, Miller did not hesitate. “Even as a rookie, that was my vote.”
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Miller explained that Downs’ leadership qualities made him an easy choice despite his lack of NFL experience. “I felt like he can do it, I felt like he’s a natural born leader, went to O-State, played in a lot of big games, plays big, you know the moment is never too big for him,” Miller said.
That belief in Downs could carry significant weight as the Cowboys prepare for a season in which their defense will be expected to perform under pressure.
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Miller believes Dallas has enough natural leaders throughout the roster to overcome adversity, but he knows leadership alone will not be enough. “When you got guys like that all over the roster, they can’t help but lead to success. You just gotta stay healthy, play as a unit,” he added.
Caleb Downs should focus on proving himself before taking a leadership role
Downs, the Cowboys’ first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, has made noise with his talent since the start of OTAs and training camp. His versatility and ability to line up in different roles give defensive coordinator Christian Parker plenty of ways to disguise coverages and create problems for opposing offenses.
A few weeks ago, senior NFL reporter Charles Robinson also highlighted Downs’ potential impact. Robinson suggested that Dallas’s creative ways of using the rookie could create major headaches for opposing offenses around the league.
Downs has already earned plenty of trust from Cowboys fans and coaches, but making him a captain this early would have been a premature decision. Talent alone does not make someone ready to lead an NFL defense.
The rookie still has to learn the complexities of NFL offenses, adjust to the speed of the game and consistently handle star wide receivers and tight ends. Those challenges will test Downs in ways OTAs and training camp cannot fully replicate.
Miller’s vote shows how highly the veteran already thinks of Downs, but the rookie does not need the captaincy to prove his value. If Downs can translate his natural talent into consistent production and become a dependable presence in the secondary, the leadership role will eventually take care of itself.
