History could repeat itself for the New York Jets in the NFL draft.
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic recently released a top-10 2026 NFL mock draft. He predicted that the Jets would select Ohio State defensive back Caleb Downs with the No. 3 overall pick in the first round.
“The Jets need everything. So, although Downs — a safety by trade who can play corner, slot or even sub linebacker — might scare people from a positional-value standpoint, he is still my favorite player, pound for pound, in the class. He’s a potential culture-changer,” Baumgardner wrote.
This Sounds Eerily Familiar for Jets Fans
In 2017, the Jets held the No. 6 overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft. Naturally picking that high, the green and white had a lot of needs heading into that draft.
The Jets decided to select LSU defensive back Jamal Adams.
Here is what NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about Adams in his NFL combine pre-draft profile.
“Interchangeable safety with a sheriff’s mentality. Adams is a physical tone-setter who should thrive near the line of scrimmage or in a robber role. Should be a commanding presence in the locker room early on, and his do-as-I-do play demeanor could be the catalyst for turning a struggling defense around quickly,” Zierlein explained. “Natural-born leader of men.”
An anonymous AFC area scout told Zierlein, “The people who have been at that program the longest think he might be the best leader LSU has had in years. He’s a no-doubt first-rounder. He can play all over the field, and he could have an immediate impact on defense just like Landon Collins did coming out. I love him. I think he’s a winner.”
Adams was a terrific player for the Jets. He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2018, a first-team All-Pro in 2019, and earned two Pro Bowl nominations as a member of the green and white.
The problem was that Adams was a talented player at a non-premium position. Despite his incredible efforts, he didn’t make the difference between winning and losing.
Everything Worked out for the Jets
Adams was traded in a blockbuster deal in 2020 to the Seattle Seahawks for a package that featured two future first-round picks.
Seattle bailed out the Jets. Those draft choices transformed into star receiver Garrett Wilson and offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker.
Downs is a talented player, just like Adams was, but is a top-five pick investment at safety the best use of the Jets’ resources? Maybe if you could guarantee that three years into his career, the Jets could flip him to another team for multiple first-round picks.
Latest Intel on Downs as a College Prospect
Downs is ranked the 9th best player on Mel Kiper Jr’s big board for ESPN ahead of the 2026 NFL draft.
The Ohio State product measures in at 6-foot and weighs 205 pounds. He has rich NFL bloodlines. Downs is the brother of NFL WR Josh Downs and is the son of former NFL RB Gary Downs, Kiper revealed.
“[He] is basically an extension of the defensive coordinator. His football knowledge shows in his play; it’s obvious when you watch 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. 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,” Kiper wrote.
Head coach Aaron Glenn has an affinity for defensive backs, considering he served that role for 15 years in the NFL as a former player. He will be tempted come April if Downs is on the board when the Jets have a selection.
Recent history suggests that wouldn’t work out for the Jets, but every player is a separate case on a case-by-case basis.
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