Caleb Downs is widely considered one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft.
But a recent report from Daft on Draft suggests that some teams may have their concerns about Downs’ health. Today, that rumor got shut down in a big way when ESPN’s Pat McAfee addressed the rumors on his show. Here’s what McAfee had to say about Downs and his rumored knee injury:::
“Caleb Downs, there’s a report coming out, and who knows what’s real and what isn’t, but we do know that even the people that aren’t
considered real, if their shit generates enough traffic it does become a topic of conversation for people around the league, especially if it involves somebody who was deemed a Hall of Famer the first day they were on campus at Alabama,” McAfee said.
“We reached out to the Downs family, and the Downs family immediately sent us to a ‘Suit.’ Sent a thumbs up, never gonna do that. So then we go to a couple of NFL teams, and we try to do a little follow-up on what we have heard. Multiple NFL teams have told us there is nothing in the medical that would deter us from bringing Caleb Downs in, especially with how great of a football player he is.”
Now, I’m not a big fan of McAfee, but he certainly has more #sauces than a random guy on X.
Additionally, the fact that this was pushed by only one outlet leads me to question its validity. And yet, if the league believes that Downs has a catastrophic knee injury that will certainly be an issue later in life, who am I to judge?!?!
If they want to let a three-year starter who can play all over the defense land in the lap of Miami’s new defensive-minded HC – on a defense that could certainly use the help in the secondary — sign me up. He would be an instant game-wrecker who can play in man or zone. In single-high or down in the box.
I want Caleb Downs – ‘pOtEnTiALLy dEgEneRaTiVE AcL’ and all!
What are your thoughts on the Miami Dolphins selecting Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft? Do you think he’ll be available when Miami picks? What other players would you be happy with at 11 overall? Let us know in the comments section below!
