Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs leaves the field following the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Commanders Could Add National Champion Defender in NFL Draft

Originally posted on Washington Commanders on SI
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 12:00 PM ET

The Washington Commanders hold the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft, which will allow them to take one of the best players in this year's rookie class, which will likely be on the defensive side of the ball.

"There might be criticism of a team using a top-10 pick on a safety, but this draft class lacks a ton of elite top-end talent at the premium positions," Miller wrote.

"And Commanders coach Dan Quinn needs to tighten up a defense that allowed a league-worst 384.0 yards per game. Downs is a difference-maker in the mold of Derwin James Jr. or Kyle Hamilton who can dictate what an offense is able to do but also be a matchup problem in multiple alignments.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Commanders Could Take Caleb Downs in NFL Draft

Adding Downs could do wonders for the secondary, which has struggled mightily in recent years. The team could benefit from adding a pass rusher like Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami or David Bailey from Texas Tech, but it's hard to knock the pick if it ends up being Downs.

In three collegiate seasons with Alabama and Ohio State, Downs recorded 164 tackles (16 for loss) and six interceptions. He has a knack for making plays on the ball, which will help any NFL defense. He is an immediate plug-and-play starter and whichever team takes him can throw him out there without much worry.

There is concern Downs may not even be available when the Commanders are on the clock, but if he's still on the board, Washington has to consider taking him.