Ohio State safety Caleb Downs could be next Giants defensive leader

A separate source said the Giants adding to their secondary seems likely because Harbaugh especially believes a top safety “sets the defense.”

“He sees the defense from the back end forward, used to be a defensive backs coach,” the source said. “He wants to make sure his defenses are secure on the back end to allow aggressive play up front.”

Scouts make clear that Downs, at 5-11, 208 pounds, “is not Kyle Hamilton,” as one put it. The Baltimore Ravens’ No. 14 overall pick under Harbaugh in 2022 is 6-4, 218 pounds. The Seattle Seahawks’ Nick Emmanwori, one of the breakout stars of last season’s playoffs, is also a rangy 6-3, 220 pounds.

But Downs is hardnosed, physical, intelligent, instinctive, relentless — all of the qualities Harbaugh wants on this team.

“Caleb Downs made more plays in college than anybody in the draft,” former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, who coached Downs for a year with the Crimson Tide, said Wednesday. “He’s so instinctive, has really good ability. He’s a fast reactor. He can play in the deep part of the field, but when he’s in the deep part of the field and he comes downhill, he’s gonna bust your a–.”

Picking Downs would keep this draft in the family for the Giants. He is the son of Giants 1994 third round pick running back Gary Downs. Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs is his brother.

Linebacker Sonny Styles, Downs’ Ohio State teammate, has also been rumored in recent weeks as a potential Giants target with one of their two picks. But sources believe the Giants would choose Downs over Styles because of how many more options a versatile and impactful safety gives Harbaugh’s defense.

If he thought Styles were the next Ray Lewis, that would be a different story.

Regardless, Thursday night will be an exciting one for the Giants, not just because it’s Harbaugh’s first NFL Draft with the team.

They hold two picks in the top 10 for the second time in five years thanks to last week’s trade of Dexter Lawrence straight up to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall selection.

So Harbaugh could pick two starters on Thursday at those spots, or he could try to trade back at least once to acquire more picks in later rounds and still add a pair of first rounders to his team.

The Ravens, Harbaugh’s former employer, philosophically are always trying to acquire as many draft picks as possible to take more swings at the plate.

Baltimore operates with the belief that every team has hits and misses in NFL Drafts with prospects and that no GM is a genius with a 1.000 batting average. So the best way to get more good players is to add more picks and take more chances.

The Giants hold eight picks in this draft at the moment after the Lawrence trade, but they don’t own a third rounder because they traded it to move up and pick Dart last April. So don’t be surprised if Harbaugh finds a way to maneuver around the board this weekend to add another mid-round selection.

Trading edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux could be one way to do that, but if the Giants are holding out for a third-round pick for him, it’s likely Thibodeaux would simply end up staying on their roster for the time being.

Then after the draft, the Giants are expected to continue tacking on some late free agent signings to round out the team Harbaugh plans to take to training camp in West Virginia this summer. Recent Lions defensive tackle D.J. Reader and former Giants standout receiver Odell Beckham Jr. could both end up coming on board.

Thursday night, though, the focus will be on what happens in front of the Giants and what domino effect that has on their picks.

The Raiders, Jets, Cardinals and Titans are picking ahead of the Giants. Vegas is taking Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. Many believe the Jets will pick Ohio State edge Arvell Reese.

After that, Arizona is the wild card. The Cardinals could trade back with a team charging up for a player like Love. Or Arizona could take Love, Texas Tech edge David Bailey or an offensive lineman like Miami’s Francis Mauigoa.

Then the Tennessee Titans and former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, the Titans’ new offensive coordinator, will play a role in shaping the Giants’ fate with their own pick at No. 4. Maybe it will be Styles. Maybe it will be Love. Maybe they’ll surprise everyone and veer to someone else.

No matter what happens Thursday, either way, the Giants are expected to walk out of the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft with two new starters selected by their $20 million a year head coach.

This is an exciting time as Harbaugh sets the tone for what a new day in New York will look like.