Should Bengals pass on Caleb Downs at No. 10? There’s value to be had in the latter rounds

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31:: Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on prior to the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game against the Miami (FL) Hurricanes at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images

A lot of Bengals mock drafts will feature Caleb Downs going to Cincinnati at pick 10. I want to start by saying that Downs is my second-ranked player in this entire class. I think he would be a great pick if he ends up in Cincinnati.

However, I can also understand why a team would pass on drafting him in the top 10.

Historically, safety is not a position that teams have been willing to spend a top 10 draft pick on. The last safety to be drafted in the top 10 was Jamal Adams, back in the 2017 draft. Teams have prioritized premium positions like quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive line, and cornerback when selecting in the top 10.

When looking specifically at this draft class, safety is one of the deeper position groups. The value you can get in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th round may make it easier to pass on taking a talented player like Caleb Downs in the first round.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is one of those talented safety prospects who may be available in the second round. McNeil-Warren is 6'2" and 202 pounds. He is rangy in coverage, physical in run support, and has 9 career forced fumbles.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (6'2 202) Toledo

+ Fluid and rangy athlete
+ Physicality in run support
+ Has 9 career forced fumbles
+ Triggers downhill with urgency
+ Over 1,800 snaps played
+ 92.0 coverage grade in 2025
+ 83.2 run defense grade in 25'

- Not elite weekly competition
-... pic.twitter.com/7TWHlpgpm9

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 19, 2026

Dillon Thieneman is another talented prospect at safety. Thieneman transferred to Oregon from Purdue in 2025. Thieneman had a 91.1 coverage grade, has played over 2,400 career snaps, and is known as a film junkie, similar to Caleb Downs. Thieneman at pick 41 would likely be considered a better value than Caleb Downs at pick 10.

Dillon Thieneman (6'0 207) Oregon

+ Straight-line speed
+ Known as a film-junkie
+ Violent finisher on tackles
+ Excellent range and pursuit
+ 91.1 coverage grade in 2025
+ Just an 8.3% missed tackle rate
+ Over 2,400 snaps played
+ Active at the catch point
+ Instinctive in... pic.twitter.com/UTg3hILJ4u

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 19, 2026

Zakee Wheatley doesn't get near the same publicity as some of the other top safeties, but his play on the field is on par with anyone at the position in this class. At 6'3" and 200 pounds, Wheatley has ideal size and length. He has never recorded a penalty, anticipates routes well, and had an 82.7 run defense grade this year.

Zakee Wheatley (6'3 200) Penn State

+ Good size and length
+ Route anticipation
+ 82.7 run defense grade in 2025
+ Zero career penalties
+ Over 2,100 career snaps
+ Highly productive the last two seasons with 170 tackles, 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble
+ Ball... pic.twitter.com/IxlER4SAQQ

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 25, 2026

AJ Haulcy is another talented safety. The former Houston Cougar played his final season in the SEC at LSU. Haulcy has 10 career interceptions, shows excellent football IQ, and had an 88.8 coverage grade in 2025.

AJ Haulcy (6'0 222) LSU

+ 88.8 coverage grade in 2025
+ Good ball skills and has 10 career interceptions
+ Instinctive in zone coverage
+ Physical in run support and consistently takes good pursuit angles
+ Over 2,800 career snaps played
+ Football intelligence

- Lacks ideal... pic.twitter.com/vUkrtjk78V

- Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 19, 2026

There are several other safeties in this class that could compete for a starting job immediately alongside Jordan Battle. Kamari Ramsey, Genesis Smith, Jalon Kilgore, Bud Clark, Jakobe Thomas, Michael Taaffe, Bishop Fitzgerald, and Jalen Huskey are all players who could upgrade the Bengals at safety.

With the depth of the safety position, do you think the Bengals would be wise to pass on Caleb Downs if he is still on the board at pick 10 this year?