The New Orleans Saints' late-season turnaround has fans dreaming about what could be in 2026, but this roster still has plenty of needs to address before reaching contender status. With aging talent on defense and limited pass-catching options, general manager Mickey Loomis has some work to do in the offseason.
The options available in free agency are going to be sparse, so the Saints will need to look to the draft for their next building blocks. As they drift away from the top ten, it becomes crucial to find value in the first round. In all likelihood, they'll spend that pick on a "premium" position.
But Ohio State safety Caleb Downs could fall into their laps, forcing them to make a difficult decision.
Saints could ditch conventional wisdom and draft Caleb Downs in 2026
Safeties don't get drafted early in the NFL. Even Kyle Hamilton, who was viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft class, fell all the way to the 14th pick, where the Baltimore Ravens took a chance on him. Last offseason, the first safety didn't come off the board until the 27th pick, when Malaki Starks was drafted (again by Baltimore). Most NFL general managers just don't see the position as valuable compared to others. Teams typically go for quarterbacks, offensive tackles, receivers, or defensive linemen in the first round.
But especially in a draft class that lacks top-end talent, Downs could buck that trend. He's one of the most enticing safety prospects in recent history, making him an intriguing choice for the Saints.
Downs is known for his ability to diagnose offensive play calls and put himself in positions to make impact plays. He flies around the field, consistently reading where the ball is going before most of his teammates. His game shows shades of Budda Baker's, as his ability to trigger downhill is unmatched by any prospect in this class. Downs is versatile, able to line up at multiple spots across defensive formations.
Jonas Sanker and Justin Reid currently hold down the safety positions for the Saints. There are certainly more pressing needs on the roster, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see New Orleans go in a different direction. But opportunities to take a prospect as talented as Downs don't come around every year. If he's available when the Saints are up to pick, don't be shocked if they pull the trigger.