The problem for NFL teams that want to draft Ohio State safety Caleb Downs

The problem for NFL teams that want to draft Ohio State safety Caleb Downs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Caleb Downs is a potential superstar.

He's also a polarizing prospect near the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. The problem with the Ohio State Buckeyes standout? He's a safety.

And relative to many NFL positions, safety has a relatively limited value placed upon it.

"Multiple teams have told me that Downs, as a pure football player, might be the draft's best overall," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote in a post on X on Wednesday, a day before the draft gets underway with Thursday's first round. "What some have struggled with -- particularly coaches -- is whether he'll be exceptional enough to justify a high pick for a position that's not prioritized by many."

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To some extent, it's the same problem facing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love. That's another spot that has lower positional value than spots like quarterback, pass rusher, cornerback and wide receiver.

So to really pay off on those picks, Downs and Love would likely have to become among the absolute best in the league at their respective positions.

They are certainly capable. It's just a high and risky bar.

One wise football mind spoke Wednesday about Downs with some serious praise -- Nick Saban was on The Pat McAfee Show to share his take on the safety.

"Caleb Downs made more plays in college than anybody in the draft," Saban said. "He's so instinctive and he's a phenomenal person... He is a football junkie and he's a thumper."