Why Bengals perfect draft pick at No. 10 overall might be Ohio State's Caleb Downs
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Why Bengals perfect draft pick at No. 10 overall might be Ohio State's Caleb Downs originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cincinnati Bengals are picking at 10th overall in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and with their offense mostly set, the defensive side of the ball is imperative to improve.
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While the Bengals did add safety Bryan Cook from the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency this offseason, safety could still be on the table at No. 10.
ESPN's Matt Bowen linked Caleb Downs, the Ohio State star playmaking safety, to the Bengals as their perfect draft pick with the 10th pick. Downs could be a great pickup for Cincinnati, especially for defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Caleb Downs would be perfect draft pick for Bengals
"I think Downs could go higher in the top 10, but this was the best fit in my eyes after the Bengals signed safety Bryan Cook in free agency," Bowen writes. "Under coordinator Al Golden, Downs would be an interchangeable safety."
While some safeties might be restricted to one playstyle, Downs could play both deep and in the box. Golden could get Downs as a key chess piece for his defense in 2026.
Downs is fantastic in coverage, recording two interceptions in every season of his three-years in college, including his freshman year in Nick Saban's defense at Alabama.
But, he's also a good tackler, recording 256 in his three collegiate seasons, 163 of which were solo to go with 1.5 career sacks.
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The 6-foot-0, 205-pound safety who helped the Ohio State Buckeyes' defense be one of the better units in the country this past year is sure to go in the first round of the draft.
While taking a safety too high might be questioned, for the Bengals at No. 10 overall, this would be an ideal pick for their defense that needs a major rebuild.
Cincinnati's defense is the main issue with the team, and what is holding them back from contending for a playoff spot and a Super Bowl. Adding Downs would be a big help for the defense, getting back on track.
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