PITTSBURGH — Twelve picks. That’s the ammunition General Manager Omar Khan is sitting on entering the 2026 NFL Draft. It’s a war chest that gives the Steelers the rarest luxury in football: the power to go get exactly who they want. And right now, the name circled in red ink inside the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex needs to be Caleb Downs.
The Ohio State safety isn’t just a “prospect.” He’s a walking turnover machine who spent the 2025 season erasing passing lanes and filling trophy cases. With Kyle Dugger set to hit free agency and the defense desperate for a playmaker to pair with DeShon Elliott, sitting back at pick No. 21 isn’t going to cut it. If Downs slips past the top 10, Pittsburgh needs to be on the phone.
The Pedigree: Why Downs is Different
Forget the “rookie learning curve.” Downs has been playing NFL-caliber football since he was 18. His freshman campaign at Alabama was absurd—107 total tackles and two interceptions in the SEC. He didn’t just survive; he dominated.
Transferring to Ohio State only sharpened his edge. Over two seasons in Columbus, he evolved into the nation’s premier defensive back, capping his 2025 campaign as a unanimous All-American and finishing ninth in Heisman voting—a nearly impossible feat for a safety. He leaves college with hardware that speaks for itself: the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
He isn’t just a deep safety. He’s a chess piece. Downs can drop into the box, cover slot receivers like a corner, and brings legitimate value as a punt returner. That versatility is exactly what Mike Tomlin covets.
“Downs is one of the top players in this draft. If he were to slide, I would be fine with the Steelers trying to take a stab at that.”
— Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The “Khan Artist” Move
Here is the reality of the Steelers’ 2026 roster: it’s built to win now, but the safety room is thin. DeShon Elliott is locked in after signing his three-year extension last June, bringing that heavy-hitting presence near the line of scrimmage. But the spot next to him is a glaring question mark.
The rumored departure of Kyle Dugger creates a void that a mid-round pick cannot fill immediately. Downs acts as an instant plug-and-play starter who complements Elliott perfectly. Elliott brings the hammer; Downs brings the range and the ball skills. It’s a tandem that would shut down the deep middle of the field against the AFC North’s gauntlet of quarterbacks.
Trading up from the 20s into the 11-15 range will cost draft capital. But with 12 picks, Pittsburgh has picks to burn. They don’t need 12 rookies making the 53-man roster; they need two or three blue-chip starters. Package a third and a fourth, move up, and secure the backbone of your defense for the next decade.
Playoff Implications
In a division that features relentless passing attacks, you cannot hide a weak safety. If the Steelers land Downs, they aren’t just plugging a hole; they are dictating terms to opposing coordinators. Expect Khan to be aggressive. The window is open, and passive teams don’t hoist Lombardis.
