Caleb Downs S Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Caleb Downs S Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/06/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 20.4 DOB: 12/10/2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 05/06/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | |
| Age: 20.4 DOB: 12/10/2004 | |
|
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
| Overall Rating: | 93.3 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
|
81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 73.3 | |
| Tackling: |
|
92% |
| Run Defense: |
|
95% |
| Coverage: |
|
100% |
| Zone: |
|
98% |
| Man/Press: |
|
93% |
|
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#2
Position rank:
#1
|
||
| College Games: 28 College Snaps: 1672 | ||
ESPN RATING: 91/100
|
||
|
247 RATING: 99/100
|
||
|
RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
|
||
| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jaquan Brisker - Penn State |
|
82% |
| Malachi Moore - Alabama |
|
73% |
| Andrew Mukuba - Texas |
|
72% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Mill Creek High School's finest export burst onto the college scene in unprecedented fashion, becoming the first freshman in Alabama Crimson Tide history to lead the team in tackles. The son of former NFL running back Gary Downs and nephew of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Dre Bly, football excellence flows through his bloodline. After registering 107 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended during his freshman campaign in Tuscaloosa, Downs shocked the college football world by entering the transfer portal and landing in Columbus where his impact was immediate.At Ohio State, Downs elevated his game to rarified air, transforming a talented Buckeye defense into a championship unit. The unanimous All-American and Big Ten Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year racked up 82 tackles (49 solo) while demonstrating elite versatility in coverage with two interceptions and six pass breakups. His game-changing abilities extended beyond defense, where he averaged 16.3 yards per punt return including a momentum-shifting 79-yard touchdown against Indiana that showcased his open-field vision and acceleration. His finest defensive performance came in the biggest regular season spotlight, tallying 11 tackles and an interception against Michigan.
Downs capped off his remarkable collegiate career by playing his best football during Ohio State's championship run, delivering five solo tackles against Notre Dame in the title game. Throughout his three years at Alabama and Ohio State, he compiled an astonishing 189 tackles (over six per game), 14 passes defended, and 11 tackles for loss. The game-changing safety brought leadership qualities that transcended his years, becoming an immediate defensive catalyst who transformed the back end of a national championship defense.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Processes information at elite speed with exceptional football IQ, diagnosing play development before most safeties realize what's happening – see his near-telepathic break on Texas QB's pass in Cotton Bowl.
- Shows rare instincts and anticipation in run support, taking perfect angles to ball carriers that eliminate potential cutback lanes while maintaining outside leverage against boundary runs.
- Tackles with controlled violence and technical precision, breaking down in space with impeccable balance and finishing through the ball carrier – missed tackle rate is among lowest in class.
- Displays cornerback-caliber movement skills and fluidity in man coverage, mirroring tight ends and slots with rare discipline and patience through their stem and break points.
- Possesses elite zone awareness, manipulating quarterbacks with subtle body position shifts while maintaining perfect spacing between route combinations – routinely baits throws he can contest.
- Punishing hitter who transfers power through his hips, arriving with controlled aggression and demonstrating textbook form that packs impact but limits unnecessary flags.
- Shows exceptional leadership qualities on and off field, commanding respect of teammates and coaches instantly despite transferring into established program – sets defensive alignments with veteran authority.
- Brings added special teams value as a dangerous punt returner who sees blocking setups early and attacks lanes decisively – displays natural feel for creating and exploiting space.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Sometimes gets overaggressive trying to deliver the big hit, leading to occasional overrunning of tackle angles when pursuing sideline to sideline in space.
- Can get too cute with his eyes in zone coverage, occasionally lingering too long on quarterback manipulation while losing track of crossing routes behind him.
- Shows some tendencies to gamble for interceptions rather than securing pass breakups, leaving vulnerability to double moves when quarterbacks can sell the initial route convincingly.
- Despite good size, occasionally gets engulfed by larger offensive linemen climbing to second level – needs to improve hand usage to defeat blocks more consistently.
- Limited experience as a true deep field safety in single-high looks – played predominantly in two-safety structures that didn't fully showcase his range in true center field role.
Scouting Report: Summary
Watching Downs operate on film reminds me of a young Troy Polamalu with Ed Reed's processing speed – he simply sees things other defensive backs don't. This is the type of defensive chess piece coordinators dream about, capable of aligning anywhere from deep safety to slot corner to linebacker depth. His football intelligence allows him to serve as a defense's brain while his rare athletic gifts enable him to be its heart. He will step into an NFL defense from day one as a culture-changing presence who elevates the play of those around him.The team that secures Downs' services is getting more than just a safety – they're acquiring a defensive weapon who transcends traditional positional limitations. His scheme versatility makes him a perfect fit in today's NFL where matchup problems require adaptive solutions. He thrives in structures that allow him to read and react while leveraging his exceptional tackle security against the run. His ability to cover from multiple alignments means he never needs to leave the field regardless of offensive personnel groupings.
Downs projects as an immediate impact starter who will contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while becoming a cornerstone defender for the next decade. Defensive coordinators will build game plans around his unique skill set, and offensive coordinators will need to account for his presence on every snap. His rare combination of instincts, physicality, coverage ability and leadership make him one of the safest prospects in this draft class. The floor is multi-year starter; the ceiling is gold jacket territory.
How other scouting services rate Caleb Downs (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
3.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
1.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.