However, Downs' name has come up frequently in the lead up to the draft. Some teams have privately aired out concerns about his injury history, which has led to rumors about where Downs might land.Downs transferred to Ohio State from Alabama after his freshman season, and he became a standout for the Buckeyes, winning a national championship last year over Notre Dame. His production has been unmatched and worthy of being a top-five pick.

Many NFL scouts and decision makers are high on Downs, but are there new concerns? Caleb Downs live updates and social media reactionsCaleb Downs and his family showed up in style 🔥 @OhioStateFB2026 NFL Draft starts at 8pm ET on NFLN/ESPN/ABCStream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/wP5OHxYpe2— NFL (@NFL) April 23, 2026RYAN DAY TO NICK SABAN ABOUT CALEB DOWNS LEAVING ALABAMA TO COME TO OHIO STATE.“When Caleb came to Ohio State... he was a mess. I don’t know what they were doing at Alabama.”😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Lo4VGOuelP— MLFootball (@MLFootball) April 23, 2026An NFC GM at the bottom of the first-round just texted me, unprompted:“Every team that passes on Caleb Downs will be making a mistake.

Hope he’s in the AFC” https://t.co/o3YPzPKBknpic.twitter.com/PEe7u2ThbQ— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 23, 2026Meanwhile, the Giants fan consensus here was a surprising one to me:Ohio State S Caleb Downs at 5. https://t.co/dVkBz0IZJR— Ralph Vacchiano (@RalphVacchiano) April 23, 2026View this post on InstagramA post shared by Caleb Downs (@calebdowns)Mel Kiper Jr. has four Ohio State players in his top 10 👀If all four go top 10, it would match Michigan State in 1967 as the only other instance, becoming just the second time in the common draft era.ESPN’s Draft Day Predictor gives Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles… pic.twitter.com/DFW6hTGB5B— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) April 23, 20262026 NFL Draft How to WatchThe 2026 NFL draft kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday in Pittsburgh (ESPN, ABC and NFL Network-- available on Fubo), The Las Vegas Raiders will likely select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick. More 2026 NFL Draft news:21 burning questions before the 2026 NFL Draft10 steals projected after top 50 picks in 2026 NFL DraftWhy NFL Draft trades will be less likely in 20262026 NFL Draft: Six pairs of players, same position, same team2026 NFL Draft stock reports: Who's trending up and down