Can you imagine the reaction from Bengals’ fans if they pass on Caleb Downs in the NFL Draft next spring? Well, a recent mock draft has that scenario playing out.
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards has the Bengals
drafting Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 10 pick in the NFL Draft. Here is Edwards’s analysis on the Bengals selecting the finalist for the Heisman Trophy finalist:
Jeremiyah Love is a luxurious pick for a team who struggles to stop anyone on defense. It could be argued that no single player would make a greater impact on Cincinnati next season than the running back.
Love rushed for 1,372 yards on 6.9 yards per carry in 2025, rushing for 21 touchdowns. He would make an immediate impact on the Bengals’ offense.
However, if Caleb Downs is on the board and the Bengals pass on him… Bengals’ fans are not going to be happy about that.
Here is Edwards on Downs:
Minnesota would not consider a quarterback in the first round, would they? As it stands, Caleb Downs is the best prospect on the board and the Vikings have a need in the secondary.
This upcoming draft will be crucial for the Bengals, to say the least. Having either one of these guys on the board when Cincinnati is on the clock would be huge, but both? That would be quite the quandary.
