Caleb Downs has NFL teams debating whether a safety deserves a top-10 draft pick. The Ohio State standout impressed during his pro day, drawing attention from personnel with early selections. Downs, a two-time unanimous All-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, won the Jim Thorpe Award after anchoring a defense that allowed the fewest points in the country over two seasons.

The safety position has rarely seen top-10 selections historically, with only eight since 2000. Sean Taylor and LaRon Landry represented the physical prototype for such picks, while Downs offers different strengths. His versatility under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia created matchup nightmares, as Ohio State allowed just 18 completions of 20+ yards all year.

Critics question if Downs possesses the elite physical traits of previous top-10 safeties. Yet the position's evolution toward versatile playmakers like Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton could benefit his stock. Teams must decide between positional value and Downs' proven ability to affect games from multiple roles, a dilemma that could reshape how franchises evaluate defensive backs in future drafts.