It's not just fans who see Caleb Downs as a perfect fit for the New Orleans Saints. Former Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu is also on the hype train, and thinks Downs has the ability to be the best player from the draft class when it's all said and done.
“I look at him how a GM would look at an offensive tackle, like, when I draft this kid, I know we’re going to be able to count on him for 10 years. He's not splashy. He's going to make some great plays. Just that leadership, the way he carries himself and even the way he's built. He can probably end up being the best player in the draft."
Alontae Taylor walking in free agency creates a massive hole in the slot. It's not a position you typically address in the first round, but most drafts don't have Caleb Downs caliber players in the class.
Caleb Downs is cut from the Tyrann Mathieu cloth but the Saints will use him differently
A young Tyrann Mathieu would have shined in Brandon Staley's STAR role. You look at the versatility and dynamic ability he displayed early in his career, and it would have been a role perfect for him. When you see these do it all safeties, Mathieu feels like the inspiration for the generation.
Mathieu moved all around the field, and played slot early in his career. In that timeframe, Mathieu was strong in coverage and impactful in the run game. He brought an attitude to the field, and his mix of athleticism and physicality made him an impact player in every aspect of the game.
Am I describing Mathieu or Downs?
Those same traits could be used to describe either of those players. Mathieu had settled into his safety role by the time he made it to New Orleans, but he still moved around the field. Expect that same tendency from Downs, except he'll primarily align in the slot.
That minor change will place a bigger spotlight on Downs' coverage responsibilities. He'll be tasked with covering receivers more often than Mathieu ever was. The alignment also puts Downs right in the thick of the action. His draft profile suggests he's ready for all the responsibilities.
Knowing how impactful Downs' game is as a prospect and how impactful Staley requires the STAR to be, Mathieu isn't reaching by viewing Downs with similar as an offensive tackle.