Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is undoubtedly the top safety in the 2026 NFL Draft class and is projected to be selected in the top half of the first round.
Downs began his collegiate career at Alabama in 2023. He was a day one starter as a true freshman and made an immediate impact, leading the Alabama defense with 107 tackles in 14 games. He was named First Team All-SEC and SEC Freshman of the Year.
After one season at Alabama, Downs transferred to Ohio State where he’s played the last two years. His stock as an NFL talent grew with the Buckeyes. Downs was named a unanimous All-American in both 2024 and 2025, and was a key player on the 2024 National Championship team.
This past season, Downs totaled 68 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Even though the Buckeyes did not repeat as champions, Downs was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Downs finished his college career with 257 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles. He also never missed a game in three years of college football.
Downs has the talent and résumé to be selected in the top 10. But the safety position has a history falling in the first round. Last year, a safety was not picked until the Baltimore Ravens selected Malakai Starks at No. 27 overall.
Fit for Miami
The Dolphins have not been strangers to new faces in the secondary in recent years, particularly at safety. Last year the Dolphins safety group consisted of four newcomers in Minkah Fitzpatrick, Ashtyn Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu, and rookie Dante Trader Jr. Turnover at this position could be at play once again this offseason
Davis and Melifonwu are both set to become free agents, and Fitzpatrick could be a potential trade candidate considering the Dolphins need to secure additional cap savings. In Trader’s case, it’s too early to tell if the 2025 fifth round pick will be a reliable starter moving forward.
This will force Miami to make big decisions at safety again this offseason, whether it’s by re-signing impending free agents, bringing in new players, going forward with Fitzpatrick and Trader as the starters, or hunting for upgrades in the draft.
If the Dolphins are able to keep Fitzpatrick around and select Downs, it could give the Dolphins an elite duo at the starting safety positions for the next few years.
Downs could wind up being the perfect selection for general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. Also, new head coach Jeff Hafley has a strong background as a defensive backs coach, making this Dolphins team a potential great fit to develop Downs into a star player early in his career.
Bottom line
Downs has no weaknesses in his game. He can make plays anywhere on the field, possesses elite coverage skills, and can be utilized on blitz plays. PFF gave Downs a 87.0 grade in coverage and 83.0 grade in run defense.
If Downs falls outside the top 10, he will likely be the best available player for the Dolphins to select at No. 11 overall. He’s a game-changing talent who will be a Week 1 starter for any team that selects him.
The Dolphins could solidify their safety group in 2026 with the selection of Downs which would allow them to focus on other key areas of need for the remainder of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Possible Dolphins 2026 draft target: Ohio State S Caleb Downs
Reporting by James Trefry, Dolphins Wire / Dolphins Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
