If you’re a Bengals fan, there’s a name you’re probably hearing more and more as April’s NFL Draft approaches: Caleb Downs. The Ohio State safety is quickly becoming a fan-favorite pick at No. 10 overall - and with good reason. Downs isn’t just a solid prospect; he’s arguably the best safety to come through the draft in years.
Let’s start with the résumé. Downs has spent the last two seasons dominating in Columbus, earning unanimous All-American honors both years.
He’s also the proud owner of the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award (given to the nation’s top defensive back) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes a player’s performance and character. In short, he’s been the total package - production, leadership, and consistency.
Mock drafts from both PFF and CBS Sports have the Bengals snagging Downs at No. 10, and that projection makes a lot of sense when you look at Cincinnati’s situation on the back end.
Since letting Jessie Bates III walk in free agency back in 2023, the Bengals have struggled to find anything close to a reliable replacement. In fact, over the past three seasons, Cincinnati’s safeties have collectively posted the lowest PFF grade in the NFL - a rough 53.7.
That’s not just a weakness; it’s a liability. Enter Downs, who earned a staggering 93.6 PFF grade across his college career.
That’s the kind of number you circle in red ink and tape to the draft room wall.
PFF’s Max Chadwick put it plainly: the Bengals haven’t had a true star at safety since Bates left, and Downs could be the guy who resets the standard at the position. And based on the tape, it’s hard to argue.
Downs plays with a blend of instincts, range, and physicality that jumps off the screen. He’s not just good - he’s a difference-maker.
CBS Sports’ Mike Renner echoed that sentiment, emphasizing Downs’ versatility and reliability - two traits that are gold in today’s NFL. Whether it’s dropping into deep coverage, sliding down into the slot, or playing that hybrid linebacker-safety role that’s becoming more common, Downs checks every box. In defensive coordinator Al Golden’s system, he could be deployed all over the field, wreaking havoc in multiple roles.
It’s also worth noting that a safety hasn’t gone in the top 10 in nearly a decade, which tells you just how special Downs is as a prospect. He’s not just a fit for the Bengals - he’s the kind of player who could redefine their secondary for the next five to seven years.
For a team that’s been stuck in the aftermath of losing Bates, this is the chance to finally fill that void. Look around the league - teams like the Seahawks have built their defensive identity around elite safety play.
The Bengals have seen what that looks like up close. It’s time they got back to that level.
If Downs is still on the board when Cincinnati is on the clock, the decision should be a no-brainer. This isn’t a reach.
This isn’t a gamble. This is the kind of pick that can anchor a defense and elevate a team.
Of course, there’s always the chance Downs doesn’t make it to No. 10.
He’s that good. But if he does?
The Bengals may not get a better opportunity to fix a long-standing issue with one draft card.