The New York Jets may be positioned to add one of the smartest defenders in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In a post Super Bowl mock draft that leaves room for Round 1 surprises, the Jets are projected to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 16 overall after acquiring the pick from Indianapolis.
It is the kind of move that would not scream splash, but could quietly reshape the identity of the defense.
Downs fits a growing NFL mold. He is not defined by elite straight line speed or jaw dropping athletic testing.
What separates him is how quickly he sees the field and how rarely he is out of position. In a league that increasingly values versatility on defense, that matters.
Recent examples are everywhere. Kyle Hamilton. Brian Branch. Nick Emmanwori. Players who can line up deep, slide into the slot, play near the box and still function as problem solvers rather than liabilities.
Downs projects in that same category, a defender who allows coaches to disguise coverages and adjust on the fly.
For the Jets, that flexibility could be invaluable.
The defense already has high end talent, but adding a safety with Downs’ football IQ would unlock more creativity.
He processes quickly, communicates well and plays with an awareness that shows up before the ball is snapped. That kind of mental edge often translates faster than raw athleticism at the NFL level.
At Ohio State, Downs consistently put himself in the right place. He anticipates routes, understands leverage and rarely takes false steps.
He may not win every rep with speed alone, but he wins with preparation and discipline. That combination tends to age well.
This is also a pick that aligns with how the Jets can afford to build. Selecting Downs at No. 16 would not be about fixing a glaring weakness.
It would be about enhancing what already works and adding a player who makes everyone else better.
There will be flashier names on the board. There always are. But defenders with elite football minds have a way of outlasting trends and fitting multiple systems. They do not need to be force fed opportunities to make an impact.
Downs would arrive as a player coaches trust quickly and opponents learn to account for quietly.
If the Jets are looking to add a long term piece rather than chase a moment, Caleb Downs makes a lot of sense. In a draft full of variables, betting on intelligence and versatility might be the safest move of all.
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