COLUMBUS, OHIO — Caleb Downs isn’t just preparing for the NFL; he is already getting digitally immortalized for it. Just weeks ahead of the 2026 NFL Combine, the Ohio State superstar completed his official 3D body and face scan for EA Sports’ upcoming Madden NFL 26. But while gamers wait to deploy his virtual coverage skills, real-life front offices are tearing up their big boards to get him in the building. Despite loud internet chatter linking the 21-year-old safety to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the math points directly to the Big Apple. The New York Jets, holding the No. 2 overall pick, are staring at a generational talent who racked up 107 total tackles as a true freshman at Alabama before locking down the secondary in Columbus.
The internet loves a wild rumor. Whispers heavily suggested Steelers GM Omar Khan wanted Downs to rebuild an aging Pittsburgh safety room that some insiders called an “ugly situation.” While the Steelers desperately need youth, betting on them to land Downs ignores the harsh reality of the 2026 draft order. Downs is projected to go entirely too high for Pittsburgh to grab him without a massive, franchise-altering trade up the board. You can almost feel the tension in war rooms across the league as teams realize they might miss out on him.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. just nuked traditional mock drafts by projecting Downs to the New York Jets at No. 2 overall. If Roger Goodell calls his name there, Downs becomes the highest-drafted safety since Eric Turner in 1991. Kiper’s logic is absolutely brutal but correct: the Jets’ defense registered exactly zero interceptions in 2025. They are starving for a ball hawk. Downs brings a Pro Bowl mentality and a verified track record. Meanwhile, new New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh is openly drooling over the idea of taking Downs at No. 5. Harbaugh recently stated he favors Hall of Fame safeties, and taking Downs is a no-brainer to anchor his defense.
Downs isn’t just a product of great coaching; he was born into this. As the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs and the brother of current NFL wide receiver Josh Downs, Caleb has professional expectations hardwired into his DNA. He swept the Jim Thorpe Award and became only the sixth defensive back to earn two-time Unanimous All-American honors. He plays with the cold calculation of a veteran who has seen every offensive scheme in the book.
“He doesn’t look like a freshman at all. He looks like a guy who has been playing for three years.”
— Kirby Smart, Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach
“He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense’s ceiling from the back end.”
— Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN NFL Draft Analyst
The NFL Combine kicks off in Indianapolis this week. Downs will hit the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium to solidify his top-five status. If he blazes through the 40-yard dash and excels in the change-of-direction drills, the debate won’t be whether he drops to Pittsburgh; it will be whether the Las Vegas Raiders reconsider their No. 1 overall pick strategy. Front offices know safety isn’t traditionally a premium draft position, but Downs shatters that mold. He is an immediate Day 1 starter who instantly upgrades run support and deep-third coverage. Expect his Madden 26 ‘Rookie Premiere’ card to be a massive hit, but his real-world impact will dictate the power balance in the AFC East.
