Cardinals Rough Draft: S Caleb Downs

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 31: Caleb Downs #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a tackle against Mark Fletcher Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes in the second half during the College Football Playoff Quarter Final Game at AT&T Stadium on December 31, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Arizona Cardinals want to change their defense going into 2026. Lack of good tackling was an issue last year. So was the run defense and pass coverage of tight ends from the linebackers. Last year, Arizona ranked #27 in overall defense and #24 in pass defense.

This offseason, the team lost several key players to free agency. S Jalen Thompson was one of these athletes. In free agency, S Andrew Wingard was signed to take Thompson’s place to pair with Pro Bowler Budda Baker.

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It is well-known that QB Fernando Mendoza will become the first overall draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. But it is also well-known that the best player in the draft is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

The Cardinals lost Thompson to free agency. Should they have signed him to an extension when they had him in-house? A lot of fans and the media question this decision. But it is what it is at this point.

What the front office could do to solve this huge loss is replace Thompson with an upgrade. Downs would completely change Arizona’s defensive scheme with this one draft pick. The Cardinals will focus on building a competitive team.

Downs is considered to be one of the best players in this draft. He is known as being elite at both run defending, and he possesses exceptional ball-hawking skills. Just imagine pairing Downs with Baker in the defensive backfield. Arizona could have the best safety duo in the league. Downs was voted the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year.

S Caleb Downs

Draft projection: Round 1

Cardinals pick: #3

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Specifics:

College: Ohio State

Height: 6’-0”

Weight: 206 pounds

40-time: 4.45

Career Tackles: 257

Career Forced Fumbles: 3

Career Sacks: 1.5

**Career Tackles for Loss:**16

Interceptions: 6

Career Pass Defenses: 12

Career games: 44

Accolades: National Champion, Two-time Unanimous All-American, First Team All-Big 10, Lott Trophy winner, Thorpe Award winner, Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year

Positives:

• Father and uncle played in NFL
• Able to process information quickly
• Can play box, split, linebacker, or strong
• Coverage captain in backfield
• Aggressive tackler
• Textbook technique
• Ball hawk
• Punt returner a bonus
• Physical run defender
• Able to cover tight ends
• Great vision and burst

Negatives:

• Will take overaggressive angles
• Will gamble for interceptions
• Struggles with offensive linemen engagement
• Questions about his range

Expert Draft Site Analysis

The Ringer

Downs is a versatile safety who wore many different hats in three different schemes at Alabama and then Ohio State. He’s clearly best as a strong safety/big nickel type who plays closer to the line of scrimmage. A three-year starter. Simply put, Downs’s accountability, preparation, and work ethic are legendary, and he’s an all-time force multiplier as a leader in the locker room. Downs has exceptional instincts and recognition skills, with a keen eye for pre- and post-snap keys, formation tendencies, ball location, and angles of pursuit. He has a sixth sense for tracking the ball and shows zero hesitation when he sees it—that’s what truly sets him apart.