Cowboys opener vs Giants holds a little more intrigue this year

"The NFL announced on Monday that the Dallas Cowboys will travel to face the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys are set to play four of the nine teams that selected players instead of Downs, but the Giants are the only team to pass on Downs twice at pick No. 5 and No. 10. New York had holes up and down their roster, so they could have gone offense or defense with either of their first-round draft picks."

"The biggest curveball of the night was Arvell Reese falling to New York at No. 5. A few draft analysts before the draft kicked off alluded to that scenario playing out in the first round, and said don't be surprised if New York takes Reese despite having a plethora of pass rushers. If Reese goes in the Top 4, do they end up taking Downs with one of their two picks? The chances certainly increase."

"The night before the draft, Josh Downs, Caleb's brother and wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, predicted that Downs would be going to the Giants. It also sounded like Downs' agent Ryan Tollner had on good authority before the draft that New York would be interested in moving up for Downs from No. 10 if he started to fall. Even Malik Nabers wanted Downs to join him in New York, and it looked like he was sick when Dallas traded up for him at No. 11."

"At No. 10, the Giants opted to go with Mauigoa to solidify their offensive line. New York's history with drafting first-round offensive linemen is putrid outside of Andrew Thomas, so fans hope he will be different than the rest, but he and Downs will always be picks that are tied together. It doesn't help that during his medical recheck in Indianapolis, it was found"

The NFL scheduled the Dallas Cowboys to play the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, giving Caleb Downs an opportunity as early as Week 1. Nine teams passed on Downs in the draft, and the Cowboys will face four of those teams, but the Giants are the only team to pass on him twice at pick No. 5 and No. 10. New York had roster needs across positions, allowing either offensive or defensive selections. Arvell Reese fell to New York at No. 5, creating a scenario where the Giants could have taken Downs instead. Josh Downs predicted a Giants landing, and signals suggested New York might trade up for Downs if he fell. The Giants selected Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 to strengthen the offensive line, leaving Downs and Mauigoa linked by draft timing and fan expectations.

Read at Blogging The Boys