In the ever-evolving landscape of the 2026 NFL Draft, few prospects have polarized scouts quite like Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs. While the positional value debate often plagues safeties, former NFL head coach and current Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia has emerged as Downs’s staunchest defender.
Matt Patricia Highlights Ohio State star Caleb Downs’ On-Field Excellence
Patricia appeared on “The Schrager Hour,” where he was asked how good Downs was. Peter Schrager also pointed out that Mel Kiper had the Buckeyes’ safety going to the New York Jets as the second pick in the 2026 draft. In response, Patricia didn’t hesitate to label Downs as the “smartest” prospect in the draft.
He said, “Yeah, he’s (Caleb Downs) gonna be the smartest player in the draft. He is the face of the franchise. As great a football player as he is, he wants to learn. He’s always trying to make himself better. He is like having a coach on the field. He sees it just like you see it.”
“It’s in front of him all the time, so he can move those chess pieces around just like you can. A lot of times, we’d be in games, and I’d be thinking something, and he’s like, ‘I’m already with you’.”
“He’s the smartest player in the Draft. He’s going to be the face of your franchise.” — Matt Patricia on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Comprehensive free agent preview, Matty P, and @ZBerm on new “The Schrager Hour”:
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🎧: https://t.co/H6qflXwjRN pic.twitter.com/nGljlj5ROP— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 5, 2026
Under Patricia’s guidance, Downs was utilized as a middle hole chess piece, alternating between 241 snaps in the box and 240 as a deep safety. This versatility allowed the Buckeyes to lead the FBS in scoring defense, allowing a stingy 9.3 points per game. PFSN’s CFB Defense Impact ranked them 4th in the nation.
Statistically, the justification for Downs as a top-five lock is found in his remarkable consistency. He concluded his collegiate career with 257 tackles and back-to-back unanimous All-American nods. However, skeptics point to a lack of ball production as a potential red flag. In 2025, Downs recorded only two interceptions and two pass breakups, leading some to question his range as a pure centerfielder.
Critics also highlight his performance against high-end speed in the CFP quarterfinal loss to Miami as proof that he can be vulnerable in man-to-man island coverage. However, PFSN’s Jacob Infante rates him highly and has him going to the Kansas City Chiefs as the 9th pick.
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He writes, “Caleb Downs is my top overall prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. The fact that he plays safety makes estimating a draft slot for him in a mock draft difficult, but there’s no denying the tools he brings to the table.”
By mastering 90% of defensive calls across all 11 positions, Downs provides a floor that few prospects can match. For Patricia, the draft concern isn’t about where Downs plays, but how quickly an NFL coordinator can keep up with his intellect.
