With less than a month until the 2026 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Matt Miller believes the New York Giants and new head coach John Harbaugh must target Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the No. 5 pick.
In his March 30 mock, Miller suggested that the Giants bypass receiver and right tackle to instead pick Downs, a two-time All-American and the reigning Jim Thorpe winner. Downs also ended his time at Ohio State by winning the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the nation’s best defender in terms of on-field and off-field achievements.
“Having coached Ed Reed and Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, Harbaugh knows the value of a versatile, smart safety prospect,” Miller wrote. “That describes Downs, who started immediately at Alabama as a freshman and for two seasons at Ohio State.”
Downs placed ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting after recording 68 tackles, five tackles for a loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles for the Buckeyes last season. He, along with teammates Arvell Reese and Carnell Tate, has been widely projected to go within the top-10 for several months.
Caleb Downs fits the Giants’ need for young, impactful defenders
Miller noted that Downs, who doesn’t turn 22 until December, would immediately partner with Jevon Holland in the Giants’ secondary. Holland, a former Dolphins standout entering his second year in New York, hopes to bounce back after a disappointing season. Pro Football Focus gave Holland a 58.4 overall grade this past year, placing him 73rd among 98 qualified safeties.
The Giants’ defense allowed 5.8 yards per play last season, tying them with the Dolphins and Titans for fifth-worst. Pairing Downs with Holland, as well as already having Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns, could position the G-Men to make a significant improvement under Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
Of course, that is assuming that the Giants have an opportunity to pick Downs at No. 5. Although the Raiders are widely expected to use the No. 1 pick on Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the following three picks — owned by the Jets, Cardinals, and Titans — are far less obvious. Miller mocked Reese to the Jets, Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa to the Cardinals, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to the Titans.
NFL Media’s Mike Band predicted this past weekend that the Giants would instead pick another Ohio State defender, linebacker Sonny Styles, at No. 5. Miller mocked Styles to the Bengals at No. 10, though he acknowledged that the All-American could go sooner.
If the Giants do not pick Downs, LSU’s A.J. Haulcy is considered the best Day 2 safety prospect. Alternatively, the Giants could attempt to trade back into the first round if Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a projected top-25 pick, is the latest player to experience the dreaded draft day fall.