Ohio State All-American Caleb Downs isn’t just working against other safeties in the 2026 NFL draft; he’s working against the perception of his entire position group.

The value of the safety position has taken a significant hit in recent years due to the ever-changing landscape across the league. Some teams believe that paying a premium for a top safety isn’t required to field an elite unit.

That evidence is only compounded by the fact that the position hasn’t seen a player selected in the top 10 since 2017 (former New York Jets All-Pro Jamal Adams being the last).

That was almost a decade ago. Even tremendous prospects like Baltimore Ravens superstar Kyle Hamilton had to wait until the 14th overall pick to hear his name called.

Downs believes he’s different than most safeties, though, and he’s ready to show exactly why in Indy and over the next few months.

Downs on Jets fit

A team like the Jets could use a player of Caleb Downs’ talents. New York’s safety room currently is filled with just second-year talent Malachi Moore and UDFA Dean Clark under contract.

Downs would be an instant upgrade to the room, but does that mean he’s a lock for the second overall pick?

Downs told Jets X-Factor that while he is not announcing the teams he has met with to this point at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, he did have a conversation with Jets head coach Aaron Glenn during the process.

“I was excited to meet him,” Downs said. “I shook his hand in the hallway. He sounded like great people.”

While these words are hardly in-depth, it’s clear that NFL teams will be interested in the Ohio State product this draft cycle. The only question is exactly when that interest will mean a draft selection.

The 21-year-old’s tape tells the story of the best non-quarterback in the class. One that is ready to make an impact like some of the top young players at the position around the league.

“My confidence level is always at the highest when I’m on the field,” he said. “I feel like my mind really puts me above a lot of people in terms of how I process the game.

“It makes me special.”

Downs’ special uniqueness is unquestioned. For the Jets, though, the question isn’t about how good he is, but if his position is worthy of being selected second overall.

Safety overview

The top safeties in the NFL recently have heard their names called after the top 10 over the last decade.

Hamilton is the highest one called, but Minkah Fitzpatrick, Derwin James, and second-year phenom Nick Emmanwori are all examples of All-Pro players who handled their business despite not being called early enough.

The value that each star provides, though, is seen as less than what other players at cornerback or along the defensive line provide, at least in the mind of most NFL organizations.

“It’s not about value, it’s about who affects the game,” Downs said. “If you affect the game in a lot of ways, that is what’s most important. That’s really all I can worry about.”

The jury is still out on whether Downs will be a top-five selection or not. Most mock drafts have him reaching as far as the New York Giants with the fifth overall selection in April.

That would mean the Jets would choose to pass on the future star — a hard gamble for a team in desperate need of blue-chip talent.

At the very least, Caleb Downs believes his positionless versatility will make him the best player in this draft. Whether or not the New York Jets agree enough to select him at No. 2 remains to be seen.

Reporting from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind.