From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

No. 2 Caleb Downs/S Ohio State – 6-0, 205 pounds (Junior)
MEASUREMENTS

Player
Ht/Wt
Hand Size
Arm Length
Wingspan

Caleb Downs
6-0/205
N/A
N/A
N/A

40-Yard Dash
10-Yard Dash
Short Shuttle
3-Cone

N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A

Broad Jump
Vertical
Bench Press

N/A
N/A
N/A

THE GOOD

– Terrific play recognition, rarely fooled by screens/play action
– Positional versatility around the secondary
– Passes off routes and picks them up on time in zone coverage, constant communication with teammates before plays
– Recognizes passing concepts, sometimes breaks on a route before the receiver does
– Impressive closing speed
– Can handle multiple routes in his zone at the same time
– Sticky, physical in man coverage
– Exceptional awareness, consistently positions himself between the receiver and quarterback without getting beaten over the top
– Can play near the line of scrimmage against both the run and pass
– Hips are very fluid
– Takes on blocks with a lot of strength, rarely shoved out of a play
– Experience as a punt returner

THE BAD

– Needs to be more comfortable backpedaling in coverage as a single deep safety
– Habit of going for the big hit with his shoulder instead of wrapping up
– Could break down before tackling a little better; sometimes he begins to tackle with a bad angle
– Loves to read the quarterback, but sometimes gets caught with eyes in the backfield for too long
– Not afraid to take a chance at an interception, but can get burned if he misses
– Needs to learn to disengage from blocks quicker; strength is there, but could be better with his hands

STATS

– Career: 164 solo tackles, 257 combined tackles, 16 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 6 interceptions, 12 passes defended, three forced fumbles
– 2023: 107 combined tackles, 3.5 TFL, two interceptions, four passes defended, one forced fumble
– 2024: 82 combined tackles, 7.5 TFL, two interceptions, six passes defended
– 2025: 68 combined tackles, 5 TFL, one sack, two interceptions, two passes defended, two forced fumbles
– Led SEC with 70 solo tackles in 2023
– 10 career punt returns for 185 yards, two return TDs
– Won National Championship with Ohio State in 2024
– 44 total games, 14 with Alabama (2023) and 30 with Ohio State (2024/2025)

INJURY HISTORY

– 2025: Only semi-notable injury history with Downs involves him dealing with a “minor injury” in spring practice before the 2025 season, but Downs never missed any time

BACKGROUND

– DOB: December 10, 2004 (21 years old)
– Hometown: Hoschton, GA
– Attended Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, GA
– Considered the nation’s top safety prospect out of high school, ranked as a top-10 prospect nationally by Rivals and 247
– Committed to Alabama over Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame
– Spent 2023 season with Alabama
– Transferred to Ohio State before the 2024 season in the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement
– Spent 2024 and 2025 seasons at Ohio State
– Awards: 2024 Consensus All-American, 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, 2025 Consensus All-American, 2025 Jim Thorpe Award, 2025 Ronnie Lott Trophy

TAPE BREAKDOWN

In terms of fundamentals, details, and pure athleticism, Caleb Downs has all you can ask for in a safety. However, one of the things I like the most about him is his ability to recognize things before they develop.

When it comes to screens or play-action, Downs is rarely fooled.

Downs is in the nickel here, over the slot receiver. He comes on a blitz, but reads the play-action and doesn’t overcommit. He sees No. 17 coming across the formation, looking to hit the flat, which Downs would have vacated had he bit on the play action. Downs does a good job of getting in his way and forcing the quarterback into the teeth of the defense.

He’s also very smart in zone coverage. Downs reads the quarterback extremely well and can understand routes before they develop. Then, his closing speed allows him to make some big plays on the ball.

Here, Downs is in the very middle of the logo, covering the middle of the field. As the play develops, you’ll notice him dance back and forth as he reads the quarterback’s eyes. He notices the crosser and flies forward before the receiver gets out of his break, then makes a play on the ball to break up the pass.

If you want to watch one play that really encapsulates Downs as a player, look no further than this one.

Downs is at the top of the screen in the slot, behind the edge rusher. He takes away the quick route from the receiver. So, the quarterback tries to throw underneath, where Downs just left. Downs realizes it, flies to the ball, and lays a massive hit.

One of the beautiful things about Caleb Downs is his versatility. He can play all over the field, and Ohio State loved to bring him on blitzes. However, he does have some issues taking angles and wrapping up, which hurt him sometimes.

Here, Downs flies straight up the middle of the field and does well to get into the backfield. But he doesn’t break down and takes a tough angle instead. There isn’t much of an attempt to wrap up, and Down ends up with a wasted opportunity. This is certainly coachable, but it’s a small thing that he’ll need to improve on.

However, that doesn’t diminish his versatility. That will be paramount for whichever team drafts him. While he spends plenty of time patrolling deep zones, Downs can go to the line of scrimmage and play man-coverage, too.

Here, Downs is at the line of scrimmage, guarding the slot receiver at the bottom of the frame. It’s a simple route, but Downs adjusts well, sticks to him the entire way, and positions himself between the receiver and the quarterback, making this throw difficult. He’s a safety, but he can line up and play man against receivers, even on deeper routes.

In general, Ohio State liked to keep Downs near the line of scrimmage often. It makes sense, as he excelled there. Not only in man coverage, but also against the run.

Here, Downs starts the play essentially as an outside linebacker, just in front of the logo. He stays patient and reads the play as it unfolds. Downs reads the gap, shoots once it opens up, and makes a nice tackle.

However, one of Downs’ few faults comes when he’s backpedaling in coverage as a deep safety, particularly in single-high coverages where he’s the only deep safety.

Downs is the deep safety here, just next to the logo, and he has one deep route coming at him. He gives it plenty of space, but seems afraid to be beaten. So he gives too much cushion once the receiver cuts inside. Downs has the skill set to be excellent in this area, but he occasionally seems a little too cautious.

CONCLUSION

Caleb Downs has a legitimate argument to be the best overall player in the 2026 draft class. He does everything you want a modern safety to do. Downs understands the game of football extremely well, and he doesn’t panic if he has to deal with two receivers in his zone at once. He’s excellent at reading the quarterback’s eyes and seems to routinely know how the routes in front of him will develop.

That, plus his ability to be a Swiss-army knife, is very exciting. He can play in the slot, he can play out wide as a cornerback at times, and even line up as an inside linebacker. Near the line of scrimmage, he consistently gets in the backfield as a blitzer and plays strong against the run. Finally, he can play press coverage and stick to receivers deep down the field.

No prospect is perfect, and Downs has some bad habits. He’s aggressive, but sometimes too aggressive when closing in on a tackle or a possible interception. He also didn’t have much experience as a single-high safety, and didn’t look the most confident in that role in college. However, I have little doubt that these things can improve at the NFL level. It’s really hard for me not to think of Budda Baker when I watch Downs. He also reminds me of Kyle Hamilton, although I think Downs is better in coverage, and Hamilton is better in the box.

NFL Projection: Top-10
Steelers Depot Draft Grade: 9.2 (All-Pro)
Grade Range: 8.7-9.6
Games Watched: at Michigan (2025), vs Texas (2025), at Wisconsin (2025)