The 2025 NFL season is officially in the books, and Super Bowl 60 is in the rearview mirror. Hats off to the Seattle Seahawks, who took home the Lombardi Trophy, and a special shoutout to former Giants Drew Lock, Leonard Williams, and Julian Love-whose clutch interception sealed the win against rookie quarterback Drake Maye on the biggest stage.
But now, the calendar flips to the offseason, and for the New York Giants, the real work begins. With free agency and the NFL Draft on the horizon, John Harbaugh and his staff have a golden opportunity to reshape this roster into a legitimate contender.
The goal? To be the team hoisting that trophy this time next year.
The Giants’ To-Do List Starts in the Secondary
If there’s one area that should be front and center for the Giants this offseason, it’s the secondary-specifically at safety. There’s talent on the roster, but consistency has been an issue, and the team needs a game-changer in the back end.
The good news? That kind of player might just be sitting there for them at No. 5 in the draft.
Enter Caleb Downs, the Ohio State standout who’s widely regarded as one of the top prospects in this year’s class-and potentially one of the best safety prospects in more than a decade.
In a recent seven-round mock draft, NFL analysts projected Downs to the Giants at No. 5 overall. And if that’s how it plays out, Big Blue could be landing a cornerstone piece for their defense.
Downs isn’t just another safety-he’s the kind of player who sees the game a step ahead. One scout described him as someone who “sees the field like a chessboard,” combining elite instincts with a physical edge that shows up snap after snap.
A Closer Look at Caleb Downs
Downs’ 2025 season at Ohio State was impressive by any metric. He racked up 45 solo tackles, snagged two interceptions, and forced two fumbles-both coming in a high-stakes College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against Miami. Those aren’t just good numbers; they’re the kind of impact plays that change games.
Some evaluators have even gone as far as to compare Downs to Eric Berry, the former All-Pro safety and top-10 pick from 16 years ago. That’s rare air, but Downs has earned the praise with his tape and production.
And here’s where things get even more interesting: the Giants just brought in Dennard Wilson as their new defensive coordinator. Wilson has spent nearly a decade coaching defensive backs, and his track record developing talent in the secondary is strong. Pairing a high-IQ, high-upside player like Downs with a coach who knows how to maximize DB talent could be a game-changer for New York’s defense.
What This Means for the Current Safety Room
Let’s be honest-the Giants’ current safety duo of Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. Holland has been solid but not spectacular, and Nubin, a second-round pick in 2024, has struggled to find his footing in the NFL. After showing some promise as a rookie, Nubin took a step back this past season, often looking out of position and getting beat in key moments.
That’s not to say the book is closed on Nubin, but the Giants can’t afford to wait and hope he develops into what they projected. With a talent like Downs on the board, this is a chance to reset the position with a player who can step in and contribute right away.
The Bottom Line
The Giants are at a pivotal point in their rebuild. With a top-five pick and a new defensive coordinator in place, they have a real shot to inject some elite talent into a defense that desperately needs it. Caleb Downs checks every box-instincts, production, leadership, toughness-and he plays a premium position in today’s pass-heavy NFL.
If he’s there at No. 5, the Giants shouldn’t overthink it. This is the kind of pick that can anchor a defense for the next decade. And if things break right, maybe it’s Downs making the game-sealing play in Super Bowl 61.