This Ohio State Buckeyes star safety may have some injury complications that could affect his NFL draft stock.
Rumors are always abounded at the NFL Scouting Combine as draft hopefuls undergo medical examinations that can often bring up unanticipated issues for prospects ahead of the 2026 NFL draft. It’s hard to tell what info is pertinent and what info is a misdirect. In the case of star Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs, he’s certainly hoping that it’s the latter. Cory Kinnan of Daft of Draft reported Monday that Downs’ medicals were indeed flagged due to a partially torn meniscus – and that there are additional concerns about a potential “degenerative ACL.” Aka, things that could lead to Downs’ stock dropping should they be correct.
Now, ESPN’s Pat McAfee has since come out and debunked the supposed rumor, saying that the top-10 projected pick does not have any of these issues, according to conversations he had with the Downs family and through reaching out to multiple NFL teams. It would be the first red flag of Downs’ storied career, should it be true. He wouldn’t be the first prospect to have things pop up on medicals and go on to have a strong NFL career, if the rumors are indeed accurate.
Here is the full story from Buckeyes Roundtable writer Anthony Moeglin on the star safety who had those flags pop up and why they may not matter if true.
Downs came over to the Buckeyes from the Alabama Crimson Tide, and is an impact playmaker who played a major role in Ohio State’s championship run last season. He hopes to make a similar impact on the team that hopefully doesn’t take too much stock out of these medicals and selects him high in the draft.