Even though the 2025 NFL season just started, it’s never too early to look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers
could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Ohio State Buckeyes Safety Caleb Downs.Bio
Downs played high school football at Mill Creek High in Gwinnett, Georgia. He was signed
by Alabama and made an immediate impact, becoming the first freshman in Crimson Tide history to lead the team in tackles. He is the son of former NFL runningback Gary Downs and the nephew of former NFL cornerback Dre Bly. Despite tallying 107 tackles, two interceptions, and five passes defended in his freshman campaign, Downs decided to transfer from Alabama after just one season, deciding to move on to Ohio State. In Columbus, he was a unanimous All-American and won the Big 10 Defensive Back of the Year Award. He also added value on special teams as a dynamic punt returner.
Strengths/Weaknesses
One of Downs’ biggest strengths is his football IQ. He has a natural feel for the game and can almost seem like he’s reading the quarterback’s mind. His instincts in run support are just as top notch. Despite being a safety, Downs has the fluidity and athleticism of a corner and the tackling ability of a linebacker. His combination of range and hit power remind many experts of Hall of Fame safeties of years past like Ed Reed or Troy Polamalu. The special teams value on punt returns is an added bonus.
No prospect is perfect, though most agree Downs damn near is, so he does have some occasional hiccups. He can get overaggressive in the run game at times, overrunning his gap and throwing off tackling angles. The other main weakness for Downs, at least as it pertains to the NFL, is his limited experience playing as the deep safety in single high coverages. He has mostly played in two high defenses, but he does have the athleticism and instincts to be a fantastic centerfield safety given time to develop that skillset.
Projection
Depending on what the Panthers do with defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, this could go a couple of ways. Downs is the type of scheme-versatile defender that Evero likes in terms of both safeties being able to play the run or the pass, allowing him to disguise some coverages. However, Evero has shown a limited willingness to play guys in spots he deems “out of position” despite them being the best option at that spot (e.g. Jeremy Chinn). A different defensive coordinator could get the most out of Downs’ raw potential and game changing skills, but he could be a fantastic fit in the Panthers defense regardless and challenge for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Caleb Downs is available when the Panthers select in the 2025 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
