With both the NFL and college football seasons officially in the books, the spotlight shifts squarely onto the NFL Draft cycle. The Senior Bowl has wrapped, the Combine is on the horizon, and free agency is just around the corner. For teams with new head coaches, this is the time when vision turns into action-and few teams are sitting at a more intriguing crossroads than the New York Giants.
The Giants made a bold move last offseason by identifying their quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart. And while he’s still early in his development, Dart flashed enough upside to give the front office something to build around.
He's not doing it alone either. Malik Nabers has stepped into the WR1 role with confidence, giving the Giants a legitimate playmaker on the outside.
In the backfield, the young duo of Cam Skattebo and Tyrone Tracy has shown promise, while the offensive line has held up well enough to offer stability.
Defensively, the story starts up front. The Giants' defensive line has been a force, and it’s arguably the strength of the entire roster.
But the back end? That’s still a work in progress.
Despite bringing in Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland last offseason, the secondary remains the weak link. And with Cor'Dale Flott hitting free agency, the need for reinforcements in the defensive backfield becomes even more pressing.
Fortunately for the Giants, they’re holding the No. 5 overall pick in the upcoming draft-prime territory to grab an impact player. And there’s one name in particular generating buzz: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
John Harbaugh, who now helms the Giants, recently joined The Mike Francesa Podcast and didn’t hold back when asked about Downs.
“Big fan, big fan. We favor Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have a chance to draft a future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me.
We’ll take the best player-you know, when you draft that high, you take the best player. It’s not a need pick, it’s a best player pick.”
That’s not just coach-speak. That’s a coach who’s seen firsthand what elite safety play can do for a defense.
Harbaugh’s track record speaks for itself-he knows how to identify and develop talent on the back end. And while the safety position doesn’t always get the love it deserves in draft circles, there’s no question Harbaugh places a premium on it.
We’ve seen this before. The Ravens once benefitted from other teams overthinking the board and undervaluing the safety spot.
That led to Kyle Hamilton falling into their lap-a player who’s since become a three-time All-Pro. Harbaugh’s appreciation for a high-IQ, high-impact safety isn’t theoretical.
It’s rooted in results.
Enter Caleb Downs. He’s not the flashiest name in the draft, and he doesn’t play a so-called “premium” position.
But what he does bring is elite instincts, range, and a physicality that makes him a tone-setter on the back end. Downs doesn’t just fill a need-he could elevate the entire defense.
For the Giants, who already have the makings of a disruptive front seven, adding a player like Downs could be the missing piece. He’s the kind of player who can clean up mistakes, cover ground sideline to sideline, and bring leadership to a unit that’s still growing.
Draft season is full of smokescreens, overanalysis, and last-minute shakeups. But if the Giants stay true to Harbaugh’s philosophy-take the best player, not just the biggest need-then Caleb Downs might be wearing blue this fall. And if that happens, don't be surprised if we’re talking about this pick as a turning point for New York’s defense.