2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Caleb Downs (DB – Ohio State)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Caleb Downs

Caleb Downs (DB – Ohio State)

6-foot-0 | 215 Pounds

Background

Caleb Downs’ uncle is former pro cornerback Dre Bly, and brother Josh Downs is a wide receiver with the Colts. One of the top recruits in the class of 2023, Downs originally committed to Alabama, where he won a starting role as a true freshman, finishing the year with 107 tackles (3.5 for loss), two interceptions and four breakups.

Downs transferred to the Buckeyes the following year, earning All-American honors in both seasons. Posted 82-7.5-0.5 with two interceptions and six breakups in 2024, then 68-5.0-1.0 with two interceptions and two breakups this past year.

Positives

Highly productive three-year starter for two of college football’s most prestigious programs. Well-built, long-limbed safety with the right look. Versatile defensive back whose playing time has been split evenly between high and box duties, with slot snaps roughly two-thirds as high as those, usually when rotating down. Good pre-snap communicator. Disciplined safety with the temperament you want in the position; does a good job of keeping the play in front of him and remembering his role as the last line of defense.

Downs works his way to the ball effectively in the run game, showing good balance, square shoulders and lateral quickness. Takes pretty solid angles in pursuit. Has been a highly reliable tackler throughout his career. Has an easy backpedal to depth in high zones, with the range to reach the sidelines and provide help. Shows good patience and diagnostic skills when processing route combinations. Uses his hands to feel routes and disrupt opposing receivers when appropriate. Click and close is smooth when driving on a spot in the passing game, showing impressive anticipation there. Recovery burst to get back in-phase is solid.

Negatives

Most high snaps during review were in two-high looks, rather than single-high. Didn’t see Downs take a ton of snaps in true man coverage against opposing slots or tight ends. Wasn’t penalty-prone in school, but saw him arrive a tick early when planting and driving on underneath routes, leading to contact that could have potentially been flagged. Comes in a bit too fast as a tackler at times, leading to misses.

Summary

One of the most disciplined, intelligent and consistent prospects in the class, Downs looks just as comfortable working down into the box to defend the run and tackle ball-carriers as he does working in different types of zone coverage, from traditional high-zone looks to zones closer to the line of scrimmage.

Downs might not have quite as sexy a highlight reel as some other top safeties in recent drafts, but he is probably safer and more well-rounded. Looks like a safe bet to be a high first-round pick and early, long-term starter.

Projection: Round 1