"Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was nothing short of phenomenal against the Miami Hurricanes. The Buckeyes fell short in their college football national championship defense, but the gifted defensive back couldn't have done much more to turn the tide. Downs was credited with eight tackles and two forced fumbles. He was seemingly everywhere on the field, making plays consistently and putting his elite-level athletic traits on full display. If he wasn't on the Commanders' shortlist before, he will be now."
"[Caleb] Downs could be a Troy Polamalu-level talent in the NFL. He's only 5-foot-11, and he may not end up running a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, but I don't care. Not even a little bit. Both Kyle Hamilton and Brian Branch Jr. slipped on draft day because of mediocre 40 times. They're two of the best young defensive backs in football. Downs is a run-game enforcer and has the sideline-to-sideline juice, coupled with the short-area burst, to excel in pass coverage."
Washington Commanders roster regeneration hinges on landing a high-impact 2026 first-round pick, and Caleb Downs emerged as a prime target after a standout performance. Ohio State safety Downs produced eight tackles and two forced fumbles while showing sideline-to-sideline range, short-area burst, and run-game enforcement. Washington holds a guaranteed top-seven selection that could secure a consensus top prospect despite potential positional or combine measurement concerns. Downs draws comparisons to elite playmakers for his coverage and tackling ability, addressing clear needs in the Commanders' secondary amid inconsistent play and injuries among current defensive backs.
Read at Riggo's Rag
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