Mel Kiper Names Surprise $1.6M NIL-Worth Ohio State Star Who Can Kick Start New York Jets’ 2026 Season

For a while during the tail end of the NFL season, when it became clear that the New York Jets would pick No. 2 in the 2026 NFL Draft, it looked like Dante Moore was going to be their man. With Fernando Mendoza being a sure lock on the No. 1 spot of the draft, Moore looked like the best next thing for the struggling franchise.

However, Moore seems to fear a career with the Jets so much that he decided to return for a final season with Oregon in college football, which raised the question: Who would the Jets pick in 2026?

ESPN’s Mel Kiper seems to have an answer to the question. None other than Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. He said so this Monday on the NFL on ESPN:

“Caleb Downs is the guy. Caleb Downs. And Phil, you’ve talked about him all year, about what a great football IQ, incredible football IQ, to come into Alabama and be the immediate standout for Nick Saban takes a lot. The intelligence of Caleb Downs… Why does he make great sense for the Jets… Caleb Downs brings a guy who will set up a new culture” (5:40)

Kiper also said that having failed to make a single interception last year, the Jets are in dire need of a radical rethinking of their defense and that Caleb Downs, who has a $1.6 million NIL valuation, can be the guy to do that for them.

Gary Davenport Believes The Cincinnati Bengals Should Get Caleb Downs

Another important analyst, Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport, believes that another team should take a look at Caleb Downs: The Cincinnati Bengals. He admits it’s a little far fetched for the Bengals to grab him, but for him, he’s the man they should be looking at.

“This one will likely remain a dream,” Davenport said. “Caleb Downs is one of the best overall players in this draft class, and New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh told reporters it wouldn’t hurt his feelings to see the G-Men take the Ohio State safety fifth overall.

“Safety isn’t generally considered a premium position. It’s not Cincinnati’s biggest need on that side of the ball, especially if edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson leaves as expected. But a miserable Bengals defense needs impact players wherever they can get them. And make no mistake: Downs is an impact player,” he added.

The biggest issue with this, is that Caleb Downs is likely the most talented player on offer this NFL Draft. The Bengals pick at No. 10. It’s highly unlikely Downs will fall that far down.

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