New York Giants' Caleb Downs Seeks To Dominate at Pro-Star Potential Showcase: Giant Steps into the 2023 NFL Draft!
Kiper says the Giants should have “no hesitation” making this pick; Chris disagrees.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs makes a tackle against Miami in the College Football Playoffs | Getty Images The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching. Pro Days and Top 30 visits are under way, and all the speculation is what the New York Giants will do with the No. 5 overall pick.
It’s also, of course, Mock Draft Season, when prognosticators from around the NFL media ecosystem put out mock drafts for various ends. ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his latest mock draft Tuesday morning , exploring how free agency may have shaken up the draft. In the case of the Giants, he returns to the pre-combine favorite of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs [ scouting report ].
Remember that head coach John Harbaugh said a few weeks ago that he was a “big fan” of Downs , and that selecting him would be “just fine with me. ” Kiper is probably the most famous draft analyst in the national media, and his mocks are useful for the amount of league intel that goes into his picks. So let’s take a look at what he has to say about the Giants.
5. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State The Giants have some options at safety — including newly-signed Jason Pinnock and Ar’Darius Washington — but Downs is on another level. He’s a complete football player, and New York should have no hesitation in taking him here (highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Berry in 2010).