Each week, Yardbarker monitors the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. From an Ohio State safety to a Penn State quarterback, here are five players we’re tracking: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs In his Monday scouting report, The Ringer’s Todd McShay compared Downs (6-foot, 205 pounds) to former Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed, a Pro Football Hall of Famer. “Ed was the best of all time at knowing what was happening in advance,” McShay wrote. “He picked up on every minor tendency and played with a sixth sense, of sorts. He tripped up the best of the best, including Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Caleb is the closest thing I’ve seen since Ed in that regard. There’s some next-level stuff on his tape.” Downs, a transfer from Alabama, helped the Buckeyes win their ninth national championship last season. In 16 games, he had two interceptions and six passes defended and earned a first-team All-American nod. This offseason, Ohio State hired new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, who won two SuRead More
NFL Draft intel: Ohio State star draws comparisons to Hall of Famer
