Arvell Reese vs. Rueben Bain Jr. has been the most common debate among New York Jets fans when discussing the team’s best route with the No. 2 overall pick in April’s NFL draft.

However, there are certainly other prospects that Gang Green can be intrigued by at that slot.

One of those players is Ohio State’s Caleb Downs.

While many fans and pundits are quick to dismiss Downs, largely due to the poor positional value in selecting a safety, it would be hard for Jets fans to be angry if the team ultimately selects the 21-year-old.

Positional value aside, Caleb Downs is a game-changer

The primary justification for analysts who don’t have Downs listed as a top-three prospect in this year’s class is positional value.

However, Downs is truly a generational player who transcends the typical value of the safety position.

Labeling him as just a safety is undermining his body of work at the collegiate level. Downs played ample snaps all over the field in 2025, including 241 in the box, 240 at free safety, 146 at slot cornerback, and even 9 at boundary cornerback.

Downs would offer the Jets’ defense exactly what they need most: a dynamic, do-everything playmaker.

While playing with world-class instincts, Downs was a unanimous All-American over the past two years and took home the 2025 Jim Thorpe Award, given to college football’s best defensive back.

This past season, Downs collected two interceptions, two forced fumbles, 68 total tackles (5 for loss), and two passes defended, all without allowing any touchdowns in coverage.

Gang Green’s defense was among the league’s worst last season, finishing 31st in DVOA. They have holes at every position and need talent anywhere they can get it.

That includes the safety position, which was among the Jets’ biggest issues on defense.

After free agent addition Andre Cisco suffered a season-ending pectoral injury in Week 8, the Jets’ starting safeties were Tony Adams, who logged a whopping 15.5% missed tackle rate, and fifth-round rookie Malachi Moore. Cisco was struggling mightily before the injury.

While Downs may not be nearly as attractive a player as his teammate Arvell Reese, who has drawn comparisons to Micah Parsons due to his jaw-dropping athleticism and elite explosiveness as a pass-rusher, he has the ability to drastically elevate the Jets’ defense.

Yes, positional value will certainly play a role in the Jets’ decision.

However, context is key.

The Jets have needs all over their depth chart, and they need to use their draft selections to add the best possible players to fill those needs.

Whether or not Downs should be the Jets’ first option is a separate conversation, but at the very least, his name deserves consideration.