Caleb Downs Kevin O'Connell
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Fox Sports's Rob Rang projected head coach Kevin O'Connell and the Minnesota Vikings to trade up to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
Making a lot of safe choices doesn’t usually pay off in the NFL. In his newest 2026 NFL mock draft, Fox Sports’s Rob Rang argued he has the ideal bold move for the Minnesota Vikings — selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
To grab the safety, Rang projected the Vikings to trade up to No. 10 overall in his latest mock draft.
“Some believe that safeties just aren’t valuable enough in today’s NFL to justify a top-10 selection, but I think Downs’ tape over the past three seasons proves that he is the best player in this draft class,” Rang wrote. “If he slips far enough, some savvy team is going to look brilliant. Sign me up for Downs in Brian Flores’ defense.
“Minnesota might have to give up both of their third-round picks (Nos. 82 and 97) to pull off a trade into the top 10, but as the signing of Kyler Murray proves, the Vikings aren’t afraid of bold action.”
Downs made the All-American team each of the past two seasons at Ohio State. In 2025, he registered 68 combined tackles, including five tackles for loss. He also had two interceptions, two pass defenses, two forced fumbles and a sack.
Where Does Ohio State Safety Caleb Downs Sit on 2026 Draft Rankings?
Caleb Downs
GettyOhio State safety Caleb Downs is a consensus top 10 prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft.
To move up into the top 10, even to No. 10, the Vikings would have to jump eight spots. As Rang explained, that could cost Minnesota both of its third-round picks.
Pundits will argue the positional value at safety isn’t there to justify giving up that draft capital.
On the other hand, Downs is clearly one of the top prospects in the 2026 draft class. As such, it’s not clear he would even be available at No. 10.
If he is, a team with hopes of returning to the postseason would be wise to aggressively move up to land the Ohio State product.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranked Downs his No. 6 overall prospect in the 2026 class. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah placed Downs at No. 9 on his latest big board released on April 1.
“Downs — the brother of NFL wide receiver Josh Downs and the son of former NFL running back Gary Downs — is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it’s obvious when you watched him in the Ohio State defense. But what really impressed me is how well he picked up Nick Saban’s system as a 2023 freshman at Alabama before transferring,” wrote Kiper.
“He diagnoses quickly thanks to excellent pre-snap instincts, and that allows him to play faster than his straight-line speed might suggest. Plus, Downs is solid in coverage, and he is a very reliable open-field tackler.”
How Downs Could Fit With the Vikings
Caleb Downs Kevin O'Connell
GettyFox Sports’s Rob Rang projected head coach Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings to trade up to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
On defense, much of the focus on the Vikings offseason has been along the line. But safety is arguably just as big of a need.
As the roster stands on April 1, Jay Ward and Josh Metellus are the team’s projected starters at safety.
Metellus has mostly started for the Vikings the past three years. But Ward has started just five games in his career.
Minnesota might be best suited to move the former fourth-round pick back into a reserve role. The Vikings could do that with the addition of Downs.
The Ohio State product appears to have the tools capable of contributing immediately. He would insert some much-needed youth into the Vikings secondary.
“Downs is an alpha who brings immense juice on each snap,” NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote. “Downs isn’t the biggest, fastest or most versatile player, but he consistently puts his stamp on games.”