Ohio State’s Caleb Downs has announced his decision to join the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s set to be one of the most coveted defensive players of the draft, likely to be a top ten overall pick. After all, he’s the 2025 Lott Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, and a First Team All-Big Ten and Unaninous All-American selection.
Here are the top five teams in need of his services.
Top 5 Landing Spots for Caleb Downs in The NFL
#5 Minnesota Vikings
Harrison Smith is getting old; he’s already 36 years old and has been in the league for 14 years. That’s extremely durable by NFL standards, but the Vikings certainly are already thinking of how to replace when the time comes. With the No. 18 overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Caleb Downs is a bit outside their reach. But if they identify the need as a critical one, they may trade up to get him.
#4 Los Angeles Rams
The Rams are in a strong position for the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. They hold two first-round picks; they have Atlanta’s No. 13 pick, which they obtained last year when the Falcons traded up to get James Pearce Jr., and their own pick, which is projected to be the No. 29. No. 13 might be enough for them to get Caleb Downs. The Rams are missing one strong pass rusher, and if Downs drops to 13th, it’s difficult to see Los Angeles passing on him.
#3 Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are in the middle of a difficult rebuild, having gotten the most important piece of it last year in the form of quarterback Cam Ward, who was 2025’s first overall pick of the NFL Draft. Now they need to build a roster around him, getting the best players they can into the team. With the fourth overall pick of the draft, they’re in an incredibly good position to get him. The only question is, could they get an even better player?
#2 Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ defense was atrocious in 2025, and it’s clear that their secondary is pretty depleted. On the other hand, they have a proper franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow, who can do a lot with little, which means they can focus on strengthening the defense in the first round. They’re also picking moderately high, at No. 10.
#1 New York Giants
Another team in the middle of a rebuild, having selected the player they expect to be their franchise quarterback last year in the form of Jaxson Dart. The Giants’ pass rush was particularly poor in 2025, as was the entire team, and bringing quality players is what they need most. They’re also in the right place in next year’s NFL Draft to make it possible, as they’re picking at No. 5.
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