INDIANAPOLIS — Caleb Downs and Kenyon Sadiq maintained a calm and focused demeanor Thursday during the NFL‘s annual scouting combine. Both All-Americans, ranked at the top of their positions—Downs at safety and Sadiq at tight end—chose to emphasize what they could contribute in the upcoming NFL season rather than their draft rankings.
While their talent is widely recognized, the main uncertainty remains how long each will wait on draft night, as the league often undervalues safeties and tight ends early in the selection process.
The Perception and Value of Safeties in the NFL
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta addressed the ongoing undervaluation of safeties, highlighting his team’s recent investments in the position.
“I don’t know how other teams see it. Frankly, we don’t care how other teams see it,”
DeCosta said, referencing their first-round picks of safeties Kyle Hamilton in 2022 and Malaki Starks last year.
“We didn’t go into the 2022 draft thinking Kyle Hamilton was going to be the best player available when we picked, and he happened to be the best player available, and thank God he was.”
Hamilton quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers, a status many scouts expect Downs to achieve after his standout performances at powerhouse programs Alabama and Ohio State.
Caleb Downs’ College Career and Impact
Over three years, Downs demonstrated consistent excellence, making nearly 250 tackles, intercepting six passes, forcing three fumbles, and recovering one. His presence in the middle of the field posed significant challenges for opposing offenses.
Nick Saban, former Alabama coach, praised Downs on ESPN’s College GameDay:
“One of my favorite all-time players,”
he said.
“Absolutely, one of my favorites. As a freshman, the maturity that he showed, the preparation, the way he performed, I loved the guy. He’s a great person.”
Downs continued to impress at Ohio State, helping lead their 2024 national championship team and contributing significantly during the 2025 season when Ohio State finished as Big Ten runners-up and returned to the playoffs.
Several of his teammates, also present at the combine, regard him as possibly the best defensive player in the draft. Despite this, Downs remains focused on his professional development rather than draft positioning.
He explained,
“I feel like my mind really puts me above a lot of people in terms of how I process the game and play with instincts. I feel like that’s what makes me special,”
adding,
“You’re getting a really talented player, a smart player who can make an impact on the field and in the facility to make a culture change.”
Kenyon Sadiq’s Potential and Versatility at Tight End
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 245 pounds, Sadiq hopes to impress NFL scouts with his 40-yard dash performance Friday night—a rare opportunity for a potential first-round pick. His blend of size, speed, and athleticism promises to create matchup problems that NFL teams value highly.
Sadiq is also committed to improving his route-running and run-blocking to elevate his game further. His attitude aligns well with NFL executives’ desires, potentially making him the second consecutive Idaho native selected as the first tight end off the board, following Colston Loveland’s 10th overall pick by Chicago in 2025.
Despite any projections, both Sadiq and Downs remain motivated to prove their worth through their play this fall.
Regarding value shifts in the position, Sadiq stated,
“There’s been more credit going to tight ends, and you see the market being reset by guys every year, so, I think the value has definitely gone up,”
continuing,
“It creates a lot of mismatches on the defensive side, whether they’re nickel or base or whatever it is. So, I think if you have a great tight end or a couple great tight ends, it really helps out your offense.”
Implications for the Upcoming Draft and NFL Future
Caleb Downs and Kenyon Sadiq represent two of the most talented yet undervalued prospects in this year’s NFL draft combine, embodying resilience and determination. Their performances at Alabama, Ohio State, and Oregon showcase their readiness to make an immediate professional impact, regardless of when they are selected.
Given the NFL’s evolving appreciation for safeties and tight ends, teams may increasingly recognize the importance of these positions, potentially shifting draft strategies. Downs and Sadiq’s capabilities and mindset may well influence how franchises prioritize talent during the draft and build rosters aimed at both on-field success and cultural strength.
