Caleb Downs, Ohio State
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Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs reacting in the middle of a College Football Playoff game.
The New York Jets have a chance to stun the NFL draft world.
In Mel Kiper Jr’s latest mock draft for ESPN, he predicted that the Jets would select Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs with the No. 2 overall pick in the first round.
“This would be the highest draft slot for a safety in common draft era history (since 1967). Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality, and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense’s ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss, and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets’ defense didn’t have a single INT in 2025 — yes, you read that right — and only the Cowboys gave up more points (29.6 per game). Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency,” Kiper wrote.
Insider Reacts to a Potential Downs-Jets Pick
ESPN’s Rich Cimini described Kiper’s pick as a “curveball.”
“That would be controversial because safeties, well, you just don’t see them go in the top five that often. The last time a safety went that high, way back in 1991, Eric Turner [was] taken second [overall] by the Cleveland Browns. Now there is no doubt that Downs is a good player and he would fill a big need, but it’s a non-premium position, and there will be impact front-seven players available with that pick,” Cimini explained.
The Jets’ Safety Room Is Barren
With all due respect, once you use that phrase, no one can take offense at whatever comes after. Those are the rules.
With all due respect, the Jets’ safety room is a wasteland beyond talented first-year player Malachi Moore.
The other safeties under contract for 2026 include: Keidron Smith, Dean Clark, Jarius Monroe, and Chris Smith II.
No, I didn’t make up those names on a random generator.
The Jets are set to lose Cisco, Tony Adams, and Isaiah Oliver in free agency.
That group isn’t filled with all-stars, but those were veterans who have started a lot of games. Now the Jets are going into the unknown with deep pockets and a massive need at safety.
Double Dip on the Defensive Side of the Ball
With the Jets’ second first-round pick in Kiper’s mock draft, he predicted that they would select Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods with the No. 16 overall pick.
“The Jets are back on the clock, and after I handed them a difference-making safety in Caleb Downs earlier, I’ll go with a Quinnen Williams replacement this time around. Three Jets defensive tackles are hitting free agency, and they’ve lacked a real impact player in the middle of the D-line since trading Williams at the deadline. Woods didn’t have elite production in 2025, but the tape was still really good. He has the power to be a force at 3-technique for New York,” Kiper wrote.
The Jets have some nice players at defensive tackle with Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs, but they lack an alpha. Woods has the ability to fill that void.
You could make a strong argument that double-dipping on defense is the appropriate move for the green and white. The defense folded like a used lawn chair last season. In no particular order, they have needs at defensive end, defensive tackle, off-ball-linebacker, cornerback and safety.
Plus, head coach Aaron Glenn is set to call plays, and he will need to bring in new players to fit his scheme this offseason.