The New York Giants find themselves in a fascinating spot heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. Holding the No. 5 overall pick, they have options - real, franchise-altering options. But as the draft board starts to take shape, it’s getting harder to ignore one name: Caleb Downs.
Downs, the Ohio State safety, has been turning heads for months, and there’s a growing sense around the league that he might just be the best overall player in this draft class. That’s not hyperbole - multiple scouts have reportedly told insiders that Downs is the best safety prospect they’ve ever evaluated.
And we’re not talking about rookies on the scouting trail. Some of these evaluations span over a decade of draft cycles.
So what’s the catch? Positional value.
Safeties - even elite ones - aren’t typically taken this high. Teams tend to prioritize quarterbacks, edge rushers, tackles, and wide receivers at the top of the board.
But every now and then, a prospect comes along who’s so good, so complete, that he forces you to rethink the rules. Caleb Downs might be that guy.
Giants GM Joe Schoen and new head coach John Harbaugh will be weighing that exact dilemma. On one hand, the team has clear needs at right tackle and could use another wide receiver to complement Malik Nabers.
On the other, Downs is the kind of player who could anchor a defense for the next decade. And when you’re trying to build something sustainable - especially with a young quarterback like Jaxson Dart - foundational pieces matter.
Harbaugh, in particular, knows what it looks like when a top-tier safety falls farther than he should. Back in 2022, Kyle Hamilton dropped to 14th overall despite being one of the most dominant prospects in that class.
Harbaugh was in Baltimore at the time, and the Ravens reaped the rewards. Hamilton is now an All-Pro and arguably the best safety in football.
That experience could be ringing in Harbaugh’s ears as he evaluates Downs.
And let’s not forget what we just saw in the Super Bowl. Seattle’s rookie safety Nick Emmanwori was a game-changer, harassing Drake Maye and helping turn the Seahawks' defense into a championship-caliber unit. That’s the kind of impact a special safety can have - if the scheme fits and the talent is real.
With Downs, the tape speaks for itself. He’s a complete player.
Elite in coverage. A sure tackler in space.
Smart, instinctive, and physical. He sees the field like a veteran and plays with the kind of poise that makes you forget he’s just coming out of college.
Slide him next to Jevon Holland in the Giants’ secondary, and suddenly you’ve got the makings of a defensive backfield that can go toe-to-toe with any offense in the league.
Yes, New York still needs to find more weapons for Dart. And yes, the offensive line could use reinforcements.
But players like Caleb Downs don’t come around often. If he’s there at No. 5, the Giants will have a chance to add a potential All-Pro who can reshape the identity of their defense from Day 1.
This is the kind of decision that defines a draft - and maybe even a franchise.