New NFL Draft Rumors Dismiss Caleb Downs Knee Injury Concerns After 2026 Combine

While there was some speculation about Caleb Downs possibly having a knee injury, the Ohio State star safety reportedly is healthy heading into the draft.

According to ESPN's Ryan Clark, one source close to Downs dismissed the concerns.

"Multiple team doctors confirmed that they had no concern over his medical eval and his draft grade will not be affected at all with them," the source said.

If there are no injury concerns for Downs, he could end up being taken early on in this year's draft.

The former Alabama and Ohio State star is coming off a season in which he recorded 68 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, a sack and a pass defended. He played under defensive coordinator Matt Patricia while with the Buckeyes, giving him a former NFL head coach to help him prepare for the next level.

Downs is considered to be the top overall prospect on the latest Big Board from Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department. In the latest mock draft from B/R, Downs is projected to land with the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 overall.

If Downs is selected that early, he could join a slim list of safeties taken in the top five. There are just three safeties ever to have been drafted that high: Eric Turner (1991), Sean Taylor (2004) and Eric Berry (2010).

Given what we've seen from Downs, it wouldn't be surprising to see him join that prestigious group. According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic, multiple NFL scouts said Downs is the best safety prospect they've "ever" seen.

Perhaps the only thing that would've kept Downs from being drafted early on would be a potential injury. Now that he is confirmed to be healthy, he should expect to hear his name called soon after the start of the draft.