Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
Call it luck or insight, but last year’s first round NFL Draft selection for the New Orleans Saints was an easy call with offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. in the mix. This year, things are a bit more cloudy. There are several players that can have an impact for the Saints at No. 8 overall. But only one that checks every single box an NFL team would desire in a top-10 draft selection.
Here is how I think the No. 8 overall pick will pan out, assuming the targeted player makes it far enough for New Orleans to stick and pick.
Round 1, Pick 8 – Ohio State S Caleb Downs
The Saints have a real opportunity to land the best player in this year’s draft class. Sure, Downs doesn’t play at a position that is usually considered a premium one. Safety is typically seen as a lower-impact position, despite how incredibly important it is for some coaches.
In New Orleans, however, the safety room is foundational to defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s system. Disguise, communication and playmaking all come from the position and a versatile player like Downs would be an excellent fit in a number of roles.
He is also one of the cleanest prospects in this year’s draft as a three-year starter with more than 40 games of experience (something every single one of the Saints’ 2025 selections all had in common) including time in Nick Saban’s Alabama defense. Saban’s high level of expectation properly prepares prospects for the next level, as does Ohio State’s program.
Why Caleb Downs?
Good players fit. That’s the easy answer. But Downs isn’t someone that simply slots into a single role, he can contribute from just about anywhere on defense. To start, in 2026, he projects as an outstanding fit to take on the STAR/slot role left open with the departure of former cornerback Alontae Taylor.
An alternative would be to slot him in next to starting veteran safety Justin Reid, who sang Downs’ praises during the Zurich Classic Celebrity Shootout during draft week, while shifting safety Jonas Sanker into the STAR role, if the Saints find that to be a more desirable path forward.
“Caleb Downs made more plays in college than anybody in the draft..
He’s so instinctive and he’s a phenomenal person..
He is a football junkie and he’s a thumper”
Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Uydx5JvF7W
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 22, 2026
At 5-foot-11 and 206 pounds, Downs can play in the slot, drop back at safety, rush the passer, defend the run, play in the second level and up on the line of scrimmage and more. He’s a true all-around playmaker that could make a real difference in the Saints’ secondary. The desire to build around quarterback Tyler Shough is a real one, but with two more top-75 selections upcoming in Day 2, New Orleans wouldn’t lose momentum by starting with the defense that could get the ball back to its promising passer.
Even though Downs didn’t test at either the NFL Scouting Combine or Ohio State’s Pro Day, his incredible athleticism and ability is littered all over his college game tape. He’s an impact player that can bring immediate contributions to New Orleans.
The Saints spent a lot of time with Ohio State players over the course of the offseason. From interviews with the prospects at different events to well-attended dinners before the school’s Pro Day, New Orleans left no stone unturned when it came to the evaluation of the draft-eligible Buckeyes. New Orlenas has a long history of adding talent from the collegiate program. Firing up the pipeline again could be a massive win for the team.
MARLER: FanDuel odds for Saints’ first-round pick
READ: https://t.co/yaezzZ4p1A pic.twitter.com/jXYRuH4Vq1
— 104.5 ESPN (@1045espn) April 23, 2026
Downs is a two-time Unanimous All-American, finished No. 9 in Heisman voting last year despite playing safety and is a proven leader with high-character and football I.Q.
Looking over what the Saints have invested in from last year’s draft to the 2026 free agency haul, he checks boxes consistent with what the Saints have already proven they are interested in adding to their locker room.
2025 Stats
- Total tackles: 68
- Tackles for a loss: 5
- Sacks: 1
- Passes defended: 1
- Interceptions: 2
Where Downs fits
While Downs’ immediate fit could be in the slot, he could also become a long-term option at safety and as one of the leaders of the defense for many years to come. He could arrive and immediately step into Taylor’s vacated role in 2026, but then transition back to a full-time safety once Reid’s contract in New Orleans comes to an end.
As mentioned before, Downs could also plug into the safety role immediately upon arrival, allowing another player to take on the STAR/slot position. This would entrench him into his long-term role right away.
In any case, the fact of the matter is that wherever the Saints decide to deploy Downs, he’ll bring an elite level of play and disruption as a Week 1 contributor. Much like former Saints quarterback Taysom Hill carried the “football player” tag on offense, Downs could be a similarly impactful chess piece on defense.
What are the potential roadblocks?
The biggest hurdle for the Saints to land Downs may be a single coach that recently saw a change of scenery: New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh.
The former Baltimore Ravens coach knows the importance of an elite talent at safety after spending a few years with one of the NFL’s best at the position, Kyle Hamilton.
Harbaugh will be looking for a leader and standard bearer to add at No. 5 overall. Downs fits the bill. The Giants could diminish the Saints’ hopes, should the Saints stick and pick at No. 8 overall amid trade-up rumors, before they even get a chance to be on the clock.
Similarly, the Washington Commanders could throw a wrench in this prediction. The Commanders currently select immediately before New Orleans at No. 7 overall.
It’s a wrinkle more than a roadblock, but there’s always the chance a key edge rusher falls into the Saints’ lap. Rather than a team drafting Downs ahead of New Orleans, if the right surprise awaits them at No. 8 overall, the Saints could see their eyes wander.
What happens if Downs is taken?
If New York, Washington or any other team is wise enough to scoop up Downs earlier than the Saints can, sticking with the defensive side of the ball makes sense. Much like how the Ohio State safety can help to improve the team’s defense by being added to the secondary, LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane offers a similar effect.
Delane would become the Saints’ first LSU player selected since 2018 and the first-ever first-round investment from the school. He could quickly jump in as a boundary cornerback, allowing another corner like Quincy Riley to perhaps move into the slot.
Building around Shough is also a popular avenue the team could choose. While Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson is considered the wideout with the highest-ceiling he has some glaring injury question marks. General manager Mickey Loomis’s risk aversion in the top-10 may keep him from investing a high draft selection in someone that may not be perceived as a “sure thing.” Though, he would be a fast improvement to Shough’s weapons. Perhaps Ohio State wideout Carnell Tate would be third in line as a possibility, due to his cleaner health evaluations.
What would be next after Downs?
The Saints also hold the No. 42 overall selection in the second round and No. 73 overall pick in the third. That gives them ample opportunity to focus on other top positions we expect them to chase in this draft. Most notably, edge rusher and wide receiver. Both positions are deep enough for New Orleans to wait to address them, but the necessary impact the team needs at both positions makes it unlikely it would wait until Day 3.
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