Cincinnati Bengals Draft Target Caleb Downs Makes Bold Statement Comparing His Game To Draft Class
Bengals 2026 NFL Draft target Caleb Downs met with the media at the NFL Combine on Thursday and had plenty to say about his game. Downs is the consensus best safety in the draft and the eighth-best player overall on the Mock Draft Database.
“At the end of the day, it’s about who’s the best defender," Downs said about safeties rarely getting selected in the top 10.Dec 6, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs and cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. react in the first half against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2025 Big Ten championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images "I would say my preparation, honestly, my preparation before the game is really what allows me to play confidently in the moment and on the field," Downs said at the podium. "So I would just say my instincts when that moment comes, being able to see everything and react to that situation.""At the very top of what we're looking for at that position is football intelligence," Golden said about the safety position on Wednesday. "The second one is command. You know, are they demonstrative? Are they audible? Do they make the checks? And so that's why this part of it is so critical."Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin is excited about the defensive prospects available to be picked. "Depends on who you are. I can name difference makers at every position," Tobin said this week about the value of safeties changing. "If you can find a difference-maker, it doesn’t matter what the position is behind his name. There’s definitely been difference-making safeties. There have been difference-making guards. The positions that are typically undervalued in free agency or whatever, there have been difference makers. And if you can find a difference maker that can elevate your football team, I think you do that."February 26, 2026RUSSELL HELTMAN Russ Heltman is on the Bearcats and Bengals beat for On SI. He is the morning host and producer for 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati, OH. Russ can be found on Twitter: @RussHeltman11 or you can reach him by email at Heltmandm@yahoo.com.
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