Caleb Downs Projected to Go to the Bengals

Caleb Downs is one of the best safety prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. USA Today’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz predicts the Ohio State star will land with the Cincinnati Bengals:

“10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

As the debate about positional value rages on, Cincinnati stands to benefit greatly if teams higher up in the order turn their nose up at a safety. Downs can’t match the pure physical tools of Derwin James or Kyle Hamilton, but that’s the only way in which the two-time unanimous All-American doesn’t measure up to any of the top safety prospects of the last 20 years. No defense was scorched by running games and tight ends alike as badly as the Bengals were, so there’s plenty of incentive to import a player who was college football’s pre-eminent force in the former category and has plenty of room for growth in the latter.”

Drafting Caleb Downs makes a ton of sense for the Bengals, seeing that they need to improve their secondary. Will he stay in the state of Ohio and head to Cincinnati?

Caleb Downs Projected to Go to the Bengals

Spotlighting His Career

Caleb Downs attended Mill Creek High School, located in Hoschton, Georgia. He played football, basketball, and baseball. Considered the nation’s top safety prospect, he was named the 2023 USA Today Defensive Football Player of the Year.  

Downs received college offers from schools such as Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Yet, he ultimately chose Alabama. During his debut season with the Crimson Tide, Downs recorded 107 combined tackles and two interceptions. For his efforts, he was named SEC Freshman of the Year.

Downs then transferred to Ohio State. In his first year with the Buckeyes, he was an unanimous All-American and was named First-Team All-Big Ten. He also helped the team win a national championship. He finished the season with 82 tackles and two interceptions.

In 2025, Caleb Downs was a unanimous All-American once again and took home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He also won the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the top defensive back in college football. Downs finished with 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a sack. He then declared for the NFL draft.

Should the Bengals Draft Him?

With stars like quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals possess an explosive offense. However, they struggled defensively last year. Cincinnati’s defense ranked 31st in the league, allowing more than 380 yards per game.

The Bengals signed Bryan Cook this offseason. Yet, they still have a void at the safety position. If Caleb Downs is available at No. 10, Cincinnati shouldn’t hesitate to draft him. He’s known for his elite football instincts, strong run support presence, and reliable open-field tackling. Plus, he would pair nicely with Cook. That’s the kind of player the Bengals need to add to the roster.