NFL Trade Rumors
Just one college football game remains this season, and the NFL playoffs are in full swing. Most prospects have finished putting out tape in their college careers, so it’s time to officially unveil my updated position rankings for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Today I’m ranking my top 10 safeties, and this is a strong group. With a household name and blue-chip player at the top and tons of depth on Day 2, it’s one of the more loaded groups in this draft. Safeties traditionally don’t go very high relative to other positions, but at least one of these prospects will test that this year.
If you’d like to check out my other updated position rankings, you can do so below:
A consensus five-star recruit from Georgia and the younger brother of Colts WR Josh Downs, Caleb Downs began his collegiate career at Alabama. As a true freshman, he had 107 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defensed and a forced fumble, earning first-team All-SEC marks. After the season, he transferred to the Buckeyes where he had 81 tackles, two interceptions, six passes defensed and a sack as a sophomore, earning consensus first-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors. As a junior in 2025, he once again garnered consensus first-team All-American recognition with 68 tackles, two interceptions, a pass defensed, a sack and two forced fumbles.
Checking in at 6-0, 205 pounds, Downs lines up all over the defense. He plays in the slot, in the box, and as a deep-field safety about equally, perfectly comfortable in all roles. His instincts are off the charts — he reads plays before they happen and as they develop as well as anyone, with an uncanny ability to blow up run plays before the concept is even fully realized. When he goes downhill, he explodes to the ball, arriving with a suddenness and violence that completely detonates the play design. Downs is a powerful, sure tackler who rarely whiffs and arrives to the ball under control despite his play speed.
In coverage, Downs has the fluidity and hip agility of a cornerback, capable of mirroring slot receivers in man coverage. He’s best deployed in zone, however, where he can put his plus awareness to best use. His range on the back end truly is sideline to sideline, and he has great ball skills to tip passes and force turnovers. At the catch point, he plays the ball well, rarely drawing flags but making the receiver feel his presence. Plus, Downs has the added benefit of being an electric kick returner, capable of housing punts and kickoffs.
As you often see with younger players, Downs has a tendency to be overaggressive, leading to some big plays the other way. There are times when he gambles and jumps routes, only to get bitten on a...
