The 2026 NFL Draft class is chock-full of elite-level talents on both sides of the ball. In the defensive backfield, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs might take the cake as a premier player in this class.
Coming off an excellent collegiate career with the Buckeyes (and Alabama Crimson Tide), Downs is a potential top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. Is the hype justified?
Let’s take a detailed look at Caleb Downs’ 2026 NFL Draft profile, his college stats, and some projected NFL team fits given his scouting report. We’ll also weave in PrizePicks Team Picks payouts for Downs’ possible draft outcomes.
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2026 NFL Draft: Caleb Downs Payouts
Here are a few of the most popular Caleb Downs 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Payouts indicate real-money earnings on a 2026 NFL Draft prediction. For example, a 2x payout on a $100 entry would return $200 on Team Picks. “Yes” picks represent a specific outcome occurring, whereas “No” picks indicate the opposite.
Team Picks data is live as of writing and is subject to change.
- Caleb Downs Drafted Top 5: 1.13x No | 4.34x Yes
- Caleb Downs Drafted Top 10: 2.94x No | 1.36x Yes
- Caleb Downs First DB Drafted: 2.56x No | 1.33x Yes
Caleb Downs NFL Scouting Combine & Pro Day Results
Here’s how Downs measured up during the pre-draft process.
Height: 5116 (5-foot-11 and 6/8 inches)
Weight: 206 pounds
Arm Length: 30.25”
Wingspan: 73.25”
Hand Size: 9.5”
Downs didn’t participate in individual drills (i.e. the 40-yard dash, 10-yard split, etc.) at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. With that said, he did partake in some work during Ohio State’s Pro Day.
Caleb Downs 2025 Ohio State Stats
Downs’ ability to stuff the stat sheet has never been in question. After all, he appeared in 14 games as a true freshman and led the SEC in solo tackles with 70 back in 2023 with Alabama.
This past campaign on the Buckeyes, the two-time All-American did some of his best work from a statistical standpoint.
Box Score Production (14 GP)
- 68 tackles (5 for loss)
- 2 PBUs
- 2 INTs
- 2 FFs
- 1 sack
Advanced Stats (via Pro Football Focus)
- 35 stops
- 11.7% missed tackle rate
- 5 pressures
- 6.7 yards/reception
- 53.4 passer rating allowed
Caleb Downs Scouting Report: Strengths and Weaknesses
It’s hard to put into words just how glowing one can be when constructing Caleb Downs’ scouting report for the 2026 NFL Draft. Let’s give it our best shot.
Caleb Downs Strengths:
- As versatile of a piece as there is at safety. Per PFF, Downs split collegiate snaps between a FS alignment (920), the box (865), and slot (574) while sparingly filling in along the defensive front or as a boundary corner.
- Tremendous processing speed and ability to diagnose plays pre-snap. Praised for leadership and instincts.
- Fluid hips and natural coverage chops, paired with competitive toughness throughout rep.
- Plus click-and-close ability when playing from depth.
- Willing run defender who attacks gaps with certainty and makes aggressive plays on ballcarriers.
- Football DNA. Caleb’s brother, Josh, plays WR for the Indianapolis Colts. Their father, Gary Downs Jr., spent over half a decade in the NFL as a RB.
Caleb Downs Weaknesses:
- Attacking mindset comes back to bite him at times. Known to either take poor pursuit angles or exercise poor tackling technique on occasion.
- Smaller frame and non-elite athleticism raise questions about ability to hang with top-flight WRs, RBs, and TEs.
- Possesses sideline-to-sideline anticipation and real-time brainpower but may be tested on perimeter-oriented concepts from opposing offenses. Erasing margins becomes more difficult at the next level without fantastic long speed.
- Ball production is solid, albeit not best-in-class.
Given his NFL Draft profile, whichever club drafts Downs could be getting a transformational piece in the secondary.
Caleb Downs Best Team Fits & 2026 NFL Draft Prediction
Most teams in the top half of the first round make sense as potential destinations for Downs. Three squads, in particular, could especially benefit from acquiring his services.
New York Giants
First and foremost are the New York Giants, who hold pick No. 5 in round one but also recently landed No. 10 from the Cincinnati Bengals by trading DT Dexter Lawrence. Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson and LB Sonny Styles — Downs’ OSU teammate — are popular projections for the G-Men as well.
Under new head coach John Harbaugh, New York might opt to build a defensive identity to complement young QB Jaxson Dart and make his life easier.
Giants to Draft Caleb Downs: 1.66x No | 2.12x Yes
Washington Commanders
Not many defenses struggled more in the 2025-26 campaign than the Washington Commanders. According to SumerSports, the unit sat second-to-last in EPA per play allowed (0.13) and was third-worst against the pass (0.20).
The defensive backfield could use an injection of talent, even after adding safety Nick Cross from the Colts. Washington had one of football’s busier offseasons in an attempt to get back to contention, and Downs would be an intriguing pickup to keep that trend rolling.
Commanders to Draft Caleb Downs: 1.05x No | 7.69x Yes
New Orleans Saints
Last, but perhaps not least, are the New Orleans Saints. In year No. 2 under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, things could elevate to the next level. New Orleans already experienced some improvement this past year, rising to ninth and 12th in yards and points per drive, respectively.
Justin Reid provides the Saints with a nice floor at safety, and he’s under contract for the next two seasons. If QB Tyler Shough turns out to be the real deal, further fortifying the defense just might bring exciting football back to the Big Easy.
In my Mock 2.0 here on Playbook, New Orleans wound up being the winner of the Downs sweepstakes at eighth overall.
Saints to Draft Caleb Downs: 1.02x No | 9.09x Yes
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Make 2026 NFL Draft Picks on PrizePicks
Caleb Downs is easily one of the most exciting prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, and many expect he’ll go in the first dozen picks. Regardless of where he ends up, you can make NFL Draft predictions on PrizePicks.
Don’t wait until the clock starts ticking — make your 2026 NFL Draft picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
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