Caleb Downs, the Ohio State safety, is projected to be a Top 10 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, according to NFL insider Peter Schrager. With a lack of first-round quarterbacks, teams are expected to make surprising choices at the draft.
The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh in just over a week, and multiple teams are looking to trade down, as there is a significant lack of first-round-caliber quarterbacks in the field. Which means there will be plenty of room for surprises at the top of the draft board.
Just about everyone who hasn't been living under a rock can see that Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza will likely be headed to the Raiders with the first overall selection. Still, it will be interesting to see how things play out from there. And one potential first-round selection that is seeing some buzz around his name as we approach draft day is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
NFL insider Peter Schrager appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, and according to the ESPN analyst, you should expect to see Downs leap up on the draft board come the event, likely right into the Top 10.
"I had him going 12 to the Cowboys, but I've been told by numerous teams that there is no chance in bloody hell that Caleb Downs will be around at 12 overall," Schrager said. "So that's one to put there, he's likely going before 12."
Schrager has Downs pegged as a blue-chip prospect entering the draft, and McAfee added that everyone he's talked to who has been around Downs believes he could be a future Hall of Famer. He finished last season with 68 tackles, two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and one sack.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Is Caleb Downs a Top 10 NFL Draft pick? This NFL insider thinks so.
Caleb Downs is gaining attention due to his strong performance and the consensus among teams that he will not be available past the 12th pick.
Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is expected to be selected first overall by the Raiders.
The lack of first-round-caliber quarterbacks in the draft class is prompting multiple teams to consider trading down.
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