If Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs somehow makes it to the Cincinnati Bengals with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the card should be sprinted in with his name on it.
That's how a lot of Bengals fans feel. Beyond the coolness of an Ohio-based prospect coming to Cincinnati, Downs fills multiple needs at once for an oft-maligned defense. The fact that he plays safety could actually mean other "high-value positions" push him down the draft board.
Downs is invaluable, however, because he's as advanced from a football IQ standpoint as anyone in this 2026 class.