Caleb Downs 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for Ohio State Safety
The 2026 NFL Draft is approaching fast and league scouts are solidifying their big boards. Safety Caleb Downs could be among the players who hear their name called early in Pittsburgh this week when the NFL welcomes its newest class of rookies.
USA TODAY Sports has all the latest on where the prospect out of Ohio State may land.
Here's how USA TODAY's latest mock draft currently projects draft day will play out for the former college star.
Caleb Downs 2026 NFL Draft prediction: Pick No. 5 overall, New York GiantsNate Davis' Fit Analysis:
The Lawrence blockbuster gives the G-Men options. Trade up for Love perhaps? Take a receiver of their choice? Plenty on the table to choose from yet probably little incentive for new coach John Harbaugh to rush into a potentially rash direction given the amount of work to do here. Is Downs the best defender in this draft? Arguably. Can he play exceptionally in the slot, box or center field ? A skillset Kyle Hamilton provided Harbaugh in Baltimore? Yep, though don't confuse Downs for the type of imposing physical specimen Hamilton is. Yet Downs' ability to anticipate and read the field and ability to play chess in real time could really render him a professional game changer at a position that normally isn't drafted this highly. With Jaxson Dart installed as the Giants new franchise quarterback, Downs would be a worthy defensive counterpart.
Ayrton Ostly's Big Board Rank: No. 2
Downs won't go No. 1 overall because of the position he plays. The Buckeyes' star defensive back is one of the best safeties in recent memory. He offers impressive athleticism, coverage skills, run defense and general football IQ to be a true defensive weapon in multiple ways. He raises the floor of a secondary while moving up the ceiling for a creative playcaller.
Campus Intel:
Downs was a centerpiece of the Buckeyes' defense for two seasons after transferring to Ohio State from Alabama following Nick Saban's retirement. It's possible no other safety in school history was as decorated during their career. He was a two-time unanimous All-American and became only the second Ohio State safety to win the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back. Downs also finished ninth in the voting for the Heisman Trophy in December. His closing speed combined with great instincts allowed him to canvas all areas of the field. -- Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch
See USA TODAY's full mock draft here
Caleb Downs player profileAll stats from 2025 NCAA Season
- Height: 6-0
- Weight: 206
- Tackles: 45
- Tackles For Loss: 5
- Sacks: 1.0
- Passes Defensed: 2
- Forced Fumbles: 2
- Interceptions: 2
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place between April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
- Thursday, April 23: Round 1
- Friday, April 24: Rounds 2-3
- Saturday, April 25: Rounds 4-7
- Dates: April 23-25
- Time: 8 p.m. ET (Round 1); 7 p.m. ET (Rounds 2-3); Noon ET (Rounds 4-7)
- Channels: NFL Network; ESPN; ESPN2; ESPN Deportes
- Streaming: NFL+; ESPN Unlimited & Select; Fubo
Fans have several options to choose from to watch the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network and ESPN will have separate broadcasts, each providing a different analysis of each pick as it happens on draft night.
Cord-cutters can stream the different broadcasts on NFL+, the NFL's proprietary streaming service; ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited, ESPN's streaming services; or cable alternative Fubo , which offers a free trial.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Caleb Downs 2026 NFL mock draft: latest prediction for Ohio State Safety