Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is a popular choice among Bengals fans to be their first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft. Downs has starred with the Buckeyes the last two seasons, earning unanimous All-American status in both seasons and winning both the Lott and Jim Thorpe Awards in 2025.
Both PFF and CBS Sports have the Bengals drafting Downs in their latest mock drafts, which Bengals fans should like seeing.
Here is what PFF’s Max Chadwick says about the Bengals taking Downs at No. 10:
“The Bengals haven’t had a true star at safety since they let Jessie Bates III walk in the 2023 offseason. In fact, Cincinnati’s safeties have combined for the lowest PFF grade as a unit over the past three years (53.7). Downs would change the team’s trajectory at the position after garnering an elite 93.6 PFF overall grade for his college career.”
Game-changing safeties can make a huge difference. They are athletic freaks and specimens. The Bengals have been living in the bed they made by letting Bates walk in free agency three years ago. Their secondary, the last three seasons, has been below average, to put it best.
“Downs’ versatility and reliability would be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Bengals’ porous secondary. He could fill the slot role that’s growing in value across the NFL or function as a hybrid defender in Al Golden’s defense. A safety hasn’t gone top 10 in nearly a decade, but Downs is well worth that billing.”
When you watch teams like the Seattle Seahawks and what their defensive backs can do, you can’t help but wish the Bengals had that kind of safety again. It’s time to replace the void Bates left three years ago once and for all. If Downs is available at No. 10, it’s the easiest two-foot putt the Bengals will have since they drafted Joe Burrow six years ago.
Of course, Downs is an elite prospect who could easily go before the Bengals go on the clock, so it would be best to temper expectations on getting him to the Queen City.
See More:
