The 2026 NFL Draft boasts several elite playmakers with immediate-impact potential. But Ohio State safety Caleb Downs stands apart as the best "pound for pound" prospect in the class.

At 6 feet and 205 pounds, the two-time All-American checks every box as an elite defender. Downs combines versatility, ball skills, and big-play potential to make game-changing plays either within the box or as a deep-half safety. He represents the modern safety prototype that every defensive coordinator craves—a chess piece capable of operating across multiple alignments.

Proven Production and Pedigree

Over 44 career games as a three-year starter at Alabama and Ohio State, Downs posted 164 solo tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions, and 12 passes defended.

He arrives with championship bloodlines. His father, Gary, spent seven years in the NFL with the New York Giants, Denver Broncos, and Atlanta Falcons from 1994-2000. His older brother, Josh, is a third-year pro with the Indianapolis Colts. This family pedigree signals professional discipline and a deep understanding of the game's demands.

Why Downs Changes the Defensive Equation

The NFL's shift toward "position-less" football—five and six defensive backs on the field—demands safeties who can play multiple roles. Downs delivers exactly that. Under Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, the former NFL head coach deployed him across various roles to maximize his high-IQ, diagnostic instincts. Whether blitzing the A gap or floating as a "robber" tracking the quarterback's eyes, Downs handles the mental workload without hesitation.

Most critically, he's a "see ball, get ball" defender with the speed, quickness, and range to track down the football along the boundary. In an era where eliminating deep balls ranks as a top defensive priority, his range and ball skills set him apart.

The Upside

Downs enters the league as the new safety prototype. His dynamic skill set enables him to play anywhere within the defensive back "triangle"—free safety, strong safety, or slot cornerback—seamlessly.

As a hybrid defender with cornerback-like coverage skills and linebacker-caliber physicality, he's the piece creative defensive coordinators want. Film study reveals polished fundamentals, sharp footwork, and impressive physicality that make scouts fall in love during the pre-draft process.

The Concerns

Downs lacks experience as a centerfielder in a single-high safety system. While he displays the athleticism and instincts to thrive in that role, the incoming rookie needs refinement in footwork and fundamentals as a post-defender between the hashes.

Additionally, scouts must confirm he can execute the turns and transitions required to play man-to-man coverage on slot receivers and tight ends. If he proves capable of matching up with shifty receivers on the perimeter, he'll give coordinators the flexibility to deploy various man coverage concepts. That versatility could be the difference between solid and elite.

The Bottom Line

Downs is arguably the best prospect in the 2026 class. The Ohio State standout dominates from his safety position, exhibiting the coverage skills, tackling ability, ball skills, and range to flourish as a designated playmaker. As a hybrid safety with flexibility to operate anywhere within the triangle, he represents the centerpiece defensive coordinator's dream.

Teams view him as a potential Budda Baker-caliber playmaker in the defensive backfield. Expect Downs to come off the draft board quickly on draft night.