Caleb Downs is one of the best case options for the New Orleans Saints in the first round. He's a prospect who's been universally praised for years and would provide the Saints with an elite replacement for Alontae Taylor. Downs is one of the fan favorites in the NFL Draft and you can include Justin Reid in that collection of fans.
If the Saints pick Downs, he'd play side by side with Reid. Reid broke down what makes Downs so special as a prospect, and made it clear he's a fan of Downs. The Saints safety capped it off with stating the Saints would be lucky to land the Ohio State prospect.
Asked Saints S Justin Reid about Ohio State S Caleb Downs (could be an option for New Orleans at 8):
— Jon Sokoloff (@JonSokoloff) April 22, 2026
"Guy is an absolute stud. Talented player & you can put him anywhere on the field."
"Wherever he goes, he'll be a special kid. If we pull him here, we'll be lucky to have him."
Caleb Downs would instantly make safety the strength of the Saints
You could make an argument that safety is the strongest position group on the team. The only position that slightly rivals it is running back. The addition of Caleb Downs would put an end to any debate.
The Saints already have three starting caliber safeties on the roster: Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon and Jonas Sanker. You add Downs to the mix and now you have four players who can start and the best problem any team could ask for. The Saints would have more talented players than they could ask for.
Even as you get to Jordan Howden, you see a player who showed the ability to step in with quality play when his number was called. This gives you a room with the best set of starters and the second best depth only to running back.
Downs is most likely to fit into the STAR role. In the same way Taylor went from outside corner to slot, Downs would still be on the field in base defense as a safety. Reid is solidified in his starting role in 2026, and Sanker and Blackmon would battle for the other safety role. Most importantly, it gives you multiple players in your nickel defense who could play all over the field, adding a layer of disguise to the defense.
With Blackmon on a one year deal and Reid going into Year 2 of a three-year contract, Downs and Sanker would be the long term future at safety. That's an exciting present and future for the Saints.
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