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<\/p>\nThings are looking up for the Las Vegas Raiders under new head coach Pete Carroll, but they still may be a year away from being true contenders. Some believe the team will still finish with a top-10 pick next year.<\/p>\n
While that would disappoint many fans, it would give them a chance to add a potential superstar talent. Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs cemented himself as one of the best players in the country last season.<\/p>\n
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He was SEC Freshman of the Year for Alabama before transferring to Ohio State. In his first year with the Buckeyes, he was a Unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.<\/p>\n
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Ohio State DB Caleb Downs.Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Downs could even get in the Heisman trophy race this season. If he declares for the NFL next year, he’s going to be highly drafted. Dane Brugler of The Athletic<\/a> believes the Raiders will have the seventh overall pick next year and they’ll use it to select Downs.<\/p>\n “It has been almost a decade since the last top-10 safety selection (Jamal Adams in 2017),” Brugler wrote. “Can Downs break that streak? He played like the best safety in the country during his freshman and sophomore seasons, and there is no reason to think he won\u2019t continue as a junior.”<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Raiders should have some good intel on Downs thanks to offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who coached at Ohio State last season. Downs’ versatility would have to be very appealing to Las Vegas, and he could be the NFL’s next great safety.<\/p>\n Related: Raiders Sign 6-Foot-6 Former Bears WR to Contract<\/a><\/p>\n