The New York Giants are going to have a tough time deciding what to do with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and rightfully so. If the debate comes down to Ohio State teammates Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles, there's virtually no way for the Giants to mess up a perfect situation.
Both of them would help transform Dennard Wilson's defense instantly, but the positional value of Styles as an off-ball linebacker compared to Downs as a safety could play a role in their thought process. But one Giants' legend has a message for Joe Schoen: positional value means nothing.
Two-time Super Bowl champion Justin Tuck sat down with Giants on SI's Paul Dottino, and talked about all things Giants, including the looming draft. And during their exclusive interview, Tuck made sure he gave Downs his flowers, hinting that he thinks the G-Men could use his skillset more than Styles'.
""I can see Ohio State safety Caleb Downs playing all over the field, much like Antrel Rolle did for us as a versatile Giants safety. We all know how important having that type of player on your field, whether you need to play the slot, you need to play safety, you need him to be in a dime package playing your middle linebacker.""Justin Tuck
Tuck compared Downs to one of his former teammates in New York in Antrel Rolle, who he believes could have a similar impact on the secondary due to his versatility. Rolle had the ability to play both cornerback and safety and do whatever the defense asked of him, which was vital during those years.
Giants legend Justin Tuck sees a lot of Antrel Rolle in Caleb Downs' game, which matters for a Giants team turning back the clock
As Tuck noted, the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner can play the slot, patrol the back-end, or even make plays close to the line of scrimmage, which will make life easier for Jevon Holland and Tyler Nubin. His football IQ is just off the charts, and is someone who would've thrived in NY now and then.
Under John Harbaugh, the Giants are attempting to return to their Super Bowl roots, and that starts with reinforcing their defense. The secondary was putrid in 2025, so if you can add a jack-of-all-trades defender like Downs to the equation, the 21-year-old will elevate the secondary as a whole.
We have seen this story before. Both Super Bowl-winning Giants teams had Aaron Ross and Corey Webster, but Rolle, Kenny Phillips, and Prince Amukamara played a key role for the 2011 team alongside them. They managed to hold Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings, the two leading receivers for the 15-1 Green Bay Packers, to 79 yards in their Divisional Round win.
The secondary was the hallmark of the golden ages in New York, but was overshadowed by an elite defensive line. Since the defensive line is already elite in 2026, why not continue the trend and continue reinforcing the secondary? Harbaugh has never been a positional value type of guy either.
Styles has plenty of versatility of his own, but Rolle's play elevated the secondary time and time again, and Downs is capable of the same thing. This guy is only 21, and after this team passed on Kyle Hamilton in 2022, they'd be making a huge mistake if they pass on another potential All-Pro safety.
Pound for pound, Downs is the safest prospect in this draft class, and depending on who you ask is the best, so hopefully the front office takes Tuck's advice when they're on the clock.