Panthers projected to pick Ohio State superstar Caleb Downs in 2026 NFL draft

The Panthers could land one of the gems of next year's draft.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs smiles during a game against Purdue. | Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It's never too early to look ahead at the next NFL draft, especially when you're a team like the Carolina Panthers. They haven't had a winning season since 2017, so it's not a bad idea to consider what impact player they might be looking at in the next draft.

The order is yet to be determined, and there's a good chance the Panthers move down much further in the draft in 2026 thanks to a greatly improved roster in 2025. However, until records are set, they're stuck picking pretty high. In this case, PFN's early three-round mock has them picking sixth.

That's where they pick Caleb Downs, the Ohio State safety. The analysis noted that adding Princely Umanmielen and Nic Scourton on day two of the draft was good, but that their defense is still incomplete.

August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after sacking Akron Zips quarterback Ben Finley (10) during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium. | Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Disp / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"You could make the case that Caleb Downs is the best overall player in college football entering 2025. He’s a well-built, highly intelligent defensive back with elite range, sharp processing, and positional versatility," it said. "He’s effective in coverage, disruptive against the run, and brings strong ball skills and effort as a downhill tackler."

This would give the Panthers the Ohio State Buckeyes' title-winning safety room. They picked Lathan Ransom in 2025 in the fourth round, and he figures to be a starter by year's end. Pairing him with Downs in 2026, hypothetically, would give the Panthers that very same duo.

However, is Carolina going to pick high enough to land such a player? They're better than they were last year and are unlikely to get off to a 1-7 start again this year, so they might not end up being the sixth-worst team in the NFL and won't get Downs.

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Panthers predicted to bail on Bryce Young for 2026 draft QB prospect

NFL insider names Panthers’ biggest roster need - and it’s a surprise

Panthers in play for Jalen Ramsey? DC Ejiro Evero makes it possible

Bryce Young zings Panthers: ‘Just a little stability goes a long way’