Caleb Downs

FS · Dallas Cowboys vs Baltimore Ravens · 74 graded snaps

Replacement

Downs delivered exceptional run support with clutch fourth-down stops, but late coverage lapses dragged his overall grade down to 64.8.

Coverage5947Run defense7520Special teams607

The full breakdown

Downs excelled as a run defender (75 facet grade), making an immediate impact by blowing up an A-gap plunge by Derrick Henry on 4th & 1 in Q1 (06:12). He added crucial stops later, saving a touchdown against Lamar Jackson in Q3 (04:27) and contributing to another 4th-down goal-line stop in Q4 (13:07). However, his 47 coverage snaps yielded a subpar 59 grade due to late mistakes. He bit hard on play-action at the goal line to allow a 2-yard touchdown pass (Q4 01:34) and played excessively deep on a 27-yard completion to Zay Flowers in the closing seconds (Q4 00:07).

Strengths

Downhill run fits in short yardage
Pursuit speed and open-field tackling
Anticipation around the line of scrimmage

Weaknesses

Susceptible to play-action eye manipulation
Deep-zone break timing

Plays that moved the grade

+2Q1 06:12, 4th & 1Shot through the A-gap unhesitatingly to stop Derrick Henry head-on for no gain and force a turnover on downs.
+1Q3 04:27, 2nd & 4Recognized Lamar Jackson's option keeper from deep depth and showed great closing speed to shove him out at the 4-yard line.
-0.5Q4 01:34, 3rd & 2Bit on the run fake on play-action, leaving the flat completely open for a 2-yard touchdown catch.

Every graded snap · 8 wins or losses, 66 routine

+2Q1 06:12 · 4 & 1 · Run defenseAnticipated the short-yardage plunge, shot through the A-gap unhesitatingly, and hit Henry head-on at the line of scrimmage to deny the first down on 4th & 1.
+0.5Q3 05:08 · 1 & 15 · Run defenseReacts quickly to the perimeter flow, takes an angle to the sideline, and pushes Hill out of bounds to save further yardage.
+1Q3 04:27 · 2 & 4 · Run defenseRecognizes the option keeper quickly from deep, tracks down Lamar Jackson with great closing speed, and shoves him out at the 4-yard line to prevent a touchdown.
+0.5Q4 13:22 · 3 & 2 · Run defenseFills fast from secondary depth into the cutback lane to join the goal-line stand.
+0.5Q4 13:07 · 4 & 1 · Run defenseFills downhill into the alley quickly to assist Barham on the tackle.
+0.5Q4 03:57 · 3 & 1 · CoverageReads the scramble quickly from deep depth, fills downhill into the open field, and brings down Jackson cleanly in space.
-0.5Q4 01:34 · 3 & 2 · CoverageFlows heavily toward the motion side and bites on the run fake, leaving the right flat defenseless.

Caleb Downs's season grades →