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What Makes Ohio State's Caleb Downs the Best Prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft Class

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Luke Easterling | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 3:16 PM ET

It's highly unlikely we'll ever see a safety selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, but Ohio State's Caleb Downs is the kind of rare prospect who could end up proving worthy of consideration.

The highest-drafted safeties in NFL history are Sean Taylor (2004) and Eric Berry (2010), both of whom were selected fifth overall. A highly touted recruit coming out of high school, Downs made an instant splash at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State, where he helped the Buckeyes win a national title last season.

On the latest episode of "Best Podcast Available," I sat down with Doug Farrar to break down what makes Downs so special as a prospect, and why he should already be considered a lock to join Taylor and Berry as top-five picks at the position.

Farrar points out one particular trait Downs brings to the table that reminds him of a Hall of Famer at the same position.

"I'm not comparing Caleb Downs to Ed Reed, but you brought up the reading ability," Farrar said. "Ed had this, 'I know that you know that I know that you know' kind of thing going on, where even Peyton Manning would get fooled. Ed would be up here, and then he's down there. 'How did you know? How did you know?' Peyton would ask Ed that, and he would say, 'Well, I watched, and you always do this when you're here, and I just know. Some guys just have that."

It's never fair to compare a college player to arguably the best player of all time at his position, but Downs has already flashed the kind of intelligence, instincts, athleticism and ball skills that made Reed such a dominant player on his way to the Hall of Fame.

A true playmaker with the ball in his hands, Downs has also made splash plays for the Buckeyes in the return game, giving him added value at the next level.

Downs' ability to make a massive impact on the game both in coverage and down in the box makes him the perfect weapon for modern NFL defenses that are always changing things up after the snap in an effort to fool opposing quarterbacks.

Caleb Downs is the most "thorough" safety prospect I've evaluated since Kyle Hamilton. Has ideal deep-third range, carries receivers in lockdown over the middle in shorter areas, and blitzes/tackles like a complete demon. Why he's No. 1 on a lot of 2026 big boards. pic.twitter.com/ZggCm55h9J
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 10, 2025

"It goes more toward the NFL's trend of switching safeties post-snap, where it's single-high (pre-snap), and God only knows what post-snap," Farrar said.

The top of every draft is typically dominated by the highest-rated quarterbacks (with good reason), so it's unlikely Downs will end up being the No. 1 overall pick in 2026, even if he does end up at the top of the board for many teams.

But wherever he lands at the next level, Downs is the kind of difference-maker who can impact the game in every way, on every down, and his skill set is the perfect fit for the current landscape of how the NFL game is played on his side of the ball.

To check out the entire conversation, including a full deep dive on the top of the 2026 NFL Draft class, watch the full episode of BPA: