Nick Saban Names Best Player in 2026 NFL Draft
Summary
Nick Saban, former Alabama football coach, praised Caleb Downs, a safety who transferred to Ohio State, as potentially the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft. Saban said Downs has exceptional instincts and physicality and expects him to be picked in the top 10.Key Facts
- Caleb Downs started his college football career at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State.
- Nick Saban believes Downs would have been the top safety selected in the 2024 NFL Draft if eligible.
- Saban called Downs a physical player with great instincts who can cover deep field and deliver strong hits.
- Downs is expected to be picked within the top 10 selections of the 2026 NFL Draft.
- The value of a rookie contract for a top 10 pick in 2026 ranges from about $29.6 million to $45.6 million depending on the draft position.
- Downs’ salary could be close to the $10.5 million per year earned by one of the NFL’s highest-paid safeties.
- The safety position is not usually chosen very early in the draft, despite Downs’ high skill level.
- Saban advised Downs to improve tackling technique by focusing on wrapping up opponents instead of just hitting hard.
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