Downs is at a whole different level than anyone in this draft

[DallasEast]

Mark Carrier

Season	Team	G	Int
1987	USC	11​	4​
1988	USC	11​	2​
1989	USC	11​	7​
Career		33​	13​

Caleb Downs

Season	Team	G	Int
2023	Alabama	14​	2​
2024	Ohio State	16​	2​
2025	Ohio State	14​	2​
Career		44​	6​

Brother you’re in for a very rude awakening if you’re expecting 10 ints. Downs is my fav player in the draft and will be a top 3 safety his first day but that’s not his game at all

Brother, Carrier intercepted only slightly more passes as a Trojan in fewer games, but Downs displayed similar instincts in anticipating where quarterbacks were targeting their passes. As you can see, Carrier's interception numbers leaped from his college production to his first year as a pro. It would not surprise me if Downs' numbers do the same during his rookie NFL season.

My original comment may have been taken in context by practically all thread readers as a hypothetical for how Downs might win defensive rookie of the year. That was my sole point in my original post. Further into the thread, I also stated (link) Downs could end up with zero interceptions. "Rude awakening?" I guess.

 

[kskboys]

Las Vegas was always going to pick Mendoza #1 overall. As far as the other 9 picks ahead of Dallas, if I had to take a guess I would say maybe the other teams thought edge and LB were better choices. If the goal is to improve your defenses run stopping ability, you make picks to build up the edge and LB corps, not safety.

I personally don't understand the massive overreaction for Downs. Since when is a safety going to be the savior of all that is wrong with the defense? At the same time, I'm not an Ohio State fan and never heard of the kid until now, and know nothing of his abilities.

I just don't see a safety fixing all the other problems the 2025 defense was suffering from.

He can be the savior when you've added Q, Gary, Ogboner, Thompson, and some other very nice prospects in the draft.

 

[doomsday9084]

Scouts say his speed is elite.

He is as fast as they come for about 10 yards. If you put him in a 40 (which he refused to run), I doubt it is.

 

[acr731]

He is as fast as they come for about 10 yards. If you put him in a 40 (which he refused to run), I doubt it is.

So you're saying he's pretty fast for about 1.5 seconds? He's projected to run a 4.4 or 4.45. It makes you wonder if he skipped running the 40 at the combine because he was afraid his 40 time would have lowered his draft spot.

Google AI says Downs is known more for his ball hawking abilities, not his speed.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

That guy's a moron.

Calling him a moron assumes there are measurable IQ points there to begin with.

The Cowboys and Dak takes aside, he's an Eagles fan, I get it- what delusion was he under that Caleb Downs would make it all the way to the Eagles' pick?

 

[kskboys]

He is as fast as they come for about 10 yards. If you put him in a 40 (which he refused to run), I doubt it is.

Downs is one of the rare players who circumvents measurables. As much as I hate to use platitudes here, it fits. He plays fast. Kinda like Jerry Rice running a 4.7, Anquan Boldin running a 4.8.

Don't get me wrong, this is very rare. Absolutely cannot be applied to more than handful of prospects, but Downs is one.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

So you're saying he's pretty fast for about 1.5 seconds? He's projected to run a 4.4 or 4.45. It makes you wonder if he skipped running the 40 at the combine because he was afraid his 40 time would have lowered his draft spot.

Google AI says Downs is known more for his ball hawking abilities, not his speed.

Exactly. There is no such thing as a perfect prospect and even Downs has his weaknesses. His speed can be best classified as good, not great. He makes up for it with excellent burst and of course his instincts and awareness. He also does not have an elite frame, in fact he basically has the body of a cornerback.

But as far as prospects go, it's been a long time since a safety entered the draft as NFL-ready as Downs. He has a chance to be special.

 

[acr731]

Exactly. There is no such thing as a perfect prospect and even Downs has his weaknesses. His speed can be best classified as good, not great. He makes up for it with excellent burst and of course his instincts and awareness. He also does not have an elite frame, in fact he basically has the body of a cornerback.

But as far as prospects go, it's been a long time since a safety entered the draft as NFL-ready as Downs. He has a chance to be special.

You wouldn't know that by reading comments here on CZ about him since Thursday.

 

[shabazz]

Don't forget the trade to get Dee Winter. Also Rashan Gary. And last years acquisitions of George Pickens and Q. Williams.

 

[Silver Surfer]

Calling him a moron assumes there are measurable IQ points there to begin with.

The Cowboys and Dak takes aside, he's an Eagles fan, I get it- what delusion was he under that Caleb Downs would make it all the way to the Eagles' pick?

Same mentality Yankees' fans have that every good hitter or pitcher will be traded to them for virtually nothing.

 

[kskboys]

You wouldn't know that by reading comments here on CZ about him since Thursday.

That's what happens when we get the best player in the draft at 11.