Caleb Downs could be the perfect chess piece for new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones (by @Tiller56)
Ohio State All-American safety Caleb Downs is widely regarded as a top three overall talent regardless of position in the 2026 NFL draft. Despite this, his draft projections have been all over the place for a few different reasons. First, Downs does not pay a premium position. Not a lot of safeties see second contracts with the team that drafted them, and they are on the lower side when it comes to average annual salary per year. Second, Downs chose not to test at the combine or his Pro Day, instead letting his film do the talking. Teams may be wondering what type of athlete they are getting. Finally, there are some questions as to where Downs can best fit in the NFL. Some peg him as more of a box player (an area he played a lot of his final year at Ohio State), citing a lack of elite production in deep coverage.
Below, I will take a look at some of these concerns to determine if Downs would be a good fit for the Commanders and new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones.
Caleb Downs:
- 6'0" 206
- NFL comparison: Eric Berry
Downs comes with a myriad of accomplishments dating back to his true freshman year at Alabama.
Alabama (2023):
- Started all 14 games
- Second-team Associated Press All-American
- National Freshman of the Year
- First team All-SEC
- SEC freshman of the Year
- Led team in tackles
Ohio State (2024-2025):
- Started all 16 games (2024)
- National Championship (2024)
- First-team Associated Press All-American (2024)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2024)
- Big Ten Conference Defensive Back of the Year (2024)
- Started all 14 games (2025)
- Team Captain (2025)
- First-team Associated Press All-American (2025)
- First-team All-Big Ten (2025)
- Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2025)
- AP Defensive Back of the Year (2025)
- Recipient of Jim Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy (2025)
Non-Premium PositionOhio State S Caleb Downs' career college stats:
- NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 31, 2026
3 seasons (44 games)
257 tackles
16 tackles for loss
12 passes defended
6 INTs
3 FF, 1 FR
1.5 sacks
2 punt return TDs
2025 Defensive Back of the Year
2024 National Champion
2x Unanimous All-American... pic.twitter.com/l41agCK2ou
You have often heard me talk about the importance of drafting a player at a premium position when selecting inside the top 10. Quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, EDGE and corner back are the five positions that are deemed premium" in the NFL. However, when you have an elite talent at a non-premium position, the front office must do a deep-dive into that player. This draft is unique in that it features possibly three elite talents at non-premium positions within the top 10 - Jeremyiah Love (Notre Dame running back), Sonny Styles (Ohio State linebacker) and Downs.
Downs may be labeled as a safety, but he brings SO much more to the table.
Position Versatility:
- Single-high
Caleb Downs will be "dinged" for most of his production coming near the LOS. But when OSU used him deep, he showed the same instincts and reaction skills.
- Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 8, 2026
Cover-3 post. Read-react burst to drive on the throw. Stud. pic.twitter.com/QgpNQ2jOBi
- Part of a 2-deep tandem
Ohio State vs. Texas
- Nick Falato (@nickfalato) March 14, 2026
SAF Caleb Downs (2) removes the No. 2 slant on 3rd & 4. Quick diagnosis and reaction forced the QB to redirect. Put Ohio State in a 4th & 1 position on the next play. pic.twitter.com/XWdzPCiyIA
- Robber
Buckeyes played their secondary straight across, disguising the coverage. Out of Cover 1, Caleb Downs dropped into a robber role, erasing Manning's middle field throws. Forced outside late, Manning's ball was picked by Matthews Jr. Patricia's disguise at its best. #Buckeyespic.twitter.com/oMjH23kDFA
- Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) September 4, 2025
- Slot Defender
Ohio State defense. 3rd down/man coverage.
- Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 30, 2025
Caleb Downs matched up vs. Tyler Warren.
Play at different levels in the secondary - and avoid the pick concepts. pic.twitter.com/Anyd5JIxjk
- Boundary DB
Caleb Downs' versatility is special. Not many safeties can line up on the boundary like this in the red zone.
- Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) November 1, 2025
The coverage mobility and football IQ set a limitless foundation, and he builds off of it with his two-phase playmaking.
pic.twitter.com/44mLK8Lw5B
- Tight end eraser
John Harbaugh talked to Caleb Downs today at his Pro Day!
- Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) March 25, 2026
You can't be mad watching this demon destroy tight ends and running backs all day.
Is it bad practice to draft a safety at 5? Yes.
Does Downs make our defense significantly better? Yes.
pic.twitter.com/UBglXchd6O
- Box defender in run support
Caleb Downs takes on the puller and frees up Sonny Styles to make the play pic.twitter.com/bFib3bDaXP
- Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) March 24, 2026
- Situational Blitzer
Ohio State's Caleb Downs is one of my favorite college football players in a really, really long time.
- Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 23, 2025
Gonna be a phenomenal pro in large part due to his sensational football instincts. Case in point: pic.twitter.com/CGrrSDCw1Ehttps://t.co/ScvGT1qbM7
- Return ability
That's why Caleb Downs was the No. 1 player in the transfer portal last offseason.
- Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) November 23, 2024
First punt return touchdown since 2014 for Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/90PyztzGby
Leadership:
Caleb's leadership is mentioned every time his name is brought up in NFL circles. This trait was seen as a freshman at Alabama, and it was what made him a team captain at Ohio State as a true junior.
Football IQ:
Down's football IQ is off-the-charts. He is the type of player who understands route concepts, is always in the right place at the right time and can wear the Green Dot in the NFL. He's a true student of the game and lives and breathes football.
Athleticism:Caleb Downs did not test at the NFL combine or his Pro Day, but he's put plenty on tape for scouts and general managers to see his unique athleticism.
Caleb Downs' closing speed as a tackler, in coverage, or on a blitz is scary. pic.twitter.com/qUt5DdbHuh
- Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) December 31, 2025
Watch the moves and speed on this 85-yard punt return.
All eyes will be on Caleb Downs this season as he suits up for the Buckeyes
- Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) July 2, 2024
Downs (@caleb_downs2) holds a in-game athleticism score of 93.4 & clocked a max speed of 20.1 mph on this 85-yard punt return touchdown. #ReelSpeed
He's set to be a major threat in the BIG 10
... pic.twitter.com/n2AVxJHk6u
Because his instincts are so high and he rarely has to guess, his closing speed is taken to another level.
#FFIDP Started watching Sonny Styles' All-22 against Indiana, but then Caleb Downs happened
- Mike Woellert (@Mike_Woellert) January 15, 2026
What a trigger and closing speed. pic.twitter.com/e7U78fbU4U
Pro Day:
The ease and fluidity at which Caleb Downs moves are flawless.
Caleb Downs is locked in at Pro Day.
- Downs 2 Business (@downs2business) March 25, 2026
Look at the movement
Via @KellyanneStittspic.twitter.com/O5RsN53dwl
Not just a box safety:so smooth
- NFL (@NFL) March 25, 2026
2026 NFL Draft - April 23-25 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/IDTW6cSnrJ
Although Downs made a ton of plays in the box during his college career, it's the versatility that I highlighted above that makes him stand out.
I believe that whoever drafts Downs will be getting a chess-piece they can move all over the defense to help disguise coverages, take away key components of an offense and help shore up communication on not only the back end but the entire defense.
When asked to play as a true center fielder or split two-high, Downs displayed exceptional eye discipline, rare closing speed, and great ball skills. He also one of the best tacklers in this draft class and has a knack for creating fumbles.
To label him as just a box safety is lazy analysis.
How could Washington use Caleb Downs:If Adam Peters were to select Downs with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft (which I believe is a distinct possibility), he and free agent newcomer Nick Cross could form one heck of a backend for Daronte Jones.
First, I could see Downs getting the Green Dot in this new defense. His intelligence, leadership and intangibles make him an immediate leader and someone who I can see becoming a future team captain.
Knowing that Jones likes to play a lot of zone looks featuring cover 2, PALMS and match-up man concepts, and how much he values alignment versatile defensive backs, Downs could become a Swiss-Army knife; almost a blend, if you will, of Ravens All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and Bucs standout Antoine Winfield. He's as sure a tackler as you'll find in this draft and his coverage skills are criminally underrated.
Downs can be deployed from anywhere in the secondary and having him on the field on all three downs will keep offenses guessing.
For a defense that is designed on creating chaos and forcing quarterbacks into making quick decisions, Caleb Downs may be a perfect fit in Washington.