Mike MoraitisOct 17, 2026

Moraitis expects the Cowboys to move rookie defensive back Caleb Downs back to the slot/nickel role for Week 6 against the Packers, while still playing some safety in base defense, and says Malik Hooker will start at one safety spot.

Published in writing · Sports IllustratedRead the original

Waiting2 calls, none settled yet

—Average accuracynothing settled yet

—A naive guessthe same calls, no knowledge

0 of 2Settled2 still waiting

2Waitingnot graded yet

What Mike Moraitis said

our reading, beside the words we read it from

Schottenheimer has promised change this week and we suspect one of those changes will be putting Downs back in the slot, where he can make a bigger impact.

Mike Moraitis, the lead quote · each call’s own words are below

Where it was published: Sports Illustrated
The piece: Cowboys Hoping to Make Change With Caleb Downs' Role in Week 6 vs. Packers
The original: Read the original
Read it wrong?: Tell us and we will look

1Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart“Schottenheimer has promised change this week and we suspect one of those changes will be putting Downs back in the slot... Downs will still see snaps at safety in base defense, but we'd expect to see more snaps in the slot on Sunday.”
2Malik Hooker to be 1st on the depth chart“The Cowboys have some options when it comes to a running mate for Hooker, who will start at one safety spot.”

Box score

HitCloseMissWaiting

Call	Kind	What happened	Score	Naive	Skill
Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart¹	Depth Chart Calls	—	—	—	—
Malik Hooker to be 1st on the depth chart²	Depth Chart Calls	—	—	—	—
2 calls · 2 waiting			—	—

How each call scored

2 checkable claims — 2 depth chart calls — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call.

It names 3 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

None of them have settled yet — they grade once their results are in.

Of the 1 unsettled call enough other pundits have weighed in on, this one lands below the rest of the room.

Each call is scored 0 to 100 against what happened, on its own, by the published methodology. The naive guess is what knowing nothing would have scored on the same calls; the gap, weighted by how hard the call was, is the skill.

Where this call stands in the room

Caleb Downs · 2026 season

Mike Moraitis — 1the room — 7 calls from 6 punditsmedian 1

Every dot is a call somebody published on the same question. Where the dots land says where this take sits, not whether it is right — nothing here is settled yet. Hover a dot for the name and number; click it to read that take.

Their call against the room

1They said

1The room (6 pundits)

Their call against everyone else's, while this is still unsettled.

1Depth Chart Calls Caleb Downs Dallas Cowboys
Caleb Downs to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?
2Depth Chart Calls Malik Hooker Dallas Cowboys
Malik Hooker to be 1st on the depth chart
VerdictWaiting
Not settled yet. This is graded once the result is in.
Think this is wrong?

Who this take is about

Where do you stand on this one?Pick every open claim on Picks →

Others on the same people

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Building their projected Cowboys 53-man roster on defense, Jeff keeps five interior linemen (Kenny Clark, Quentin, Tito Obonia, LT Overton, Bullard), six edge rushers including Von Miller, Malachi Lawrence and Marist Liufau while cutting Sam Williams, four linebackers with Jayshawn Barham starting, six corners including rookie Devin Moore, and four safeties including Marquise Bell.
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Moton rated Liufau a 9-out-of-10 on their trade probability meter, arguing that with Dallas' crowded edge room they are a long shot to make the 53-man roster and is either a trade or cut candidate.
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The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

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Michael Moore · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
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Zachary Pereles · Depth Chart Calls · Shedeur Sanders · Hit 100
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