With the Giants mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, fans are starting to look ahead to the 2026 draft. New York finds itself in the fortunate position to likely draft in the top five without the need to draft a quarterback, offensive tackle, or edge rusher. Therefore, PFF has the Giants selecting star Ohio State safety Caleb Downs to help anchor what has been a struggling secondary this season.
Caleb Downs Is A Versatile, Game-Breaking Star At Safety
Playing on college football’s top defense, Caleb Downs has game-breaking potential on the back end. His 2025 statistics are incredibly impressive, with just 134 yards allowed in coverage, two interceptions, a pass breakup, and 40 tackles with four tackles for loss as a safety.
But those numbers alone do not tell the whole story of what makes Downs such a promising prospect. He is a strong tackler, unafraid to come downhill and get to the quarterback or running backs in the backfield. He does not miss angles in the open field and does not shy away from contact. Downs has the strength of a linebacker and the agility of a cornerback, and is a ballhawk from anywhere on the field, while defending both the pass and the run.
Caleb can be more than just the last line of defense for New York. He can track receivers on deep routes, interfere with screen passes, and make tackles in open space. Downs also plays with immaculate confidence and tons of physicality, more than the Giants have seen from their back four in quite some time.
Giants’ Secondary Has Struggled With Consistency And Health
The secondary has struggled mightily this season, both with consistency and health. New York paid handsome contracts to cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jevon Holland, who have both been solid, but neither has delivered to the level that they were expected.
Adebo missed his fifth straight game with a knee injury, while Holland notched his first interception on Sunday against the Lions after returning from a knee injury of his own.
Outside of those two, play in the secondary has been rough, with second-year safety Tyler Nubin looking overwhelmed in coverage, taking bad angles, and missing seven tackles this season. Even with Shane Bowen fired, the Giants’ defensive scheme emphasizes zone integrity over aggressiveness, and having a strong safety out of focus is causing bigger issues.
The cornerback room has been servicable, but Deonte Banks has struggled to no end as Cor’Dale Flott has nicely settled into his role on the right side of the field. With the recent injuries, Dru Phillips, Rico Payton, and Dane Belton have been called in to step up, and the secondary has been getting gashed even more than usual.
Caleb Downs has no major injury concerns, as the superstar safety has played every game for Ohio State, which included a run to the national championship that extended his season to nearly the length of an NFL regular-season last year. The Giants would be well-positioned by adding a star like him on the back end, especially considering they have the rare luxury to add a skill player now that Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter satisfied their biggest offseason needs last year.
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