Downs is a tremendous player with an excellent draft profile and playing pedigree accrued throughout his college career at Ohio State and Alabama. There are so many talented players at the top of the NFL Draft that Downs could make it to 10, but I also think several teams ahead of the Bengals are salivating at the thought of having him in their defense.
Apparently, multiple NFL insiders and reporters also believe Downs won’t last past pick No. 10.
“Teams are higher on Downs by the way,” NFL insider Todd McShay said recently. “Don’t get it twisted by the media… They’re not saying he’s going five to the Giants, but you absolutely do need to consider him at five. Multiple teams don’t think he gets past Cincinnati at 10.”
McShay has been doing this for so long that you have to take his word for what he’s saying about Downs. Harbaugh had Ed Reed and then Kyle Hamilton in Baltimore, so that’s enough to know he really values a game-changing safety. However, if Downs is still there at No. 10, the Bengals absolutely must consider taking him.
ESPN’s Peter Schrager also said that one NFL general manager suggested to “throw positional value out this year” when it comes to Downs, also hinting at a possible top-five billing for him.
Again, I don’t see Downs making it to No. 10. He’s too talented a player not to be drafted before then, and he could be taken in the top five. The Bengals may have Downs as their highest-graded player in this year’s draft, and that’s great. But Downs’s talent may be too good for him to still be there at No. 10.