The Washington Commanders have meaningful roster gaps to fill at every level of the defense, but fans shouldn’t expect the team to address the deficiencies at safety early in next week’s NFL draft.
That was the report from Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports last week, who cited multiple sources saying Washington is unlikely to select top-ranked safety Caleb Downs out of Ohio State with the No. 7 overall pick.
“People close to the organization tell me a pass-rusher, wide receiver and cornerback are in play at No. 7. Most believe the team will not take Caleb Downs if the Ohio State safety is available to them,” Pauline wrote. “The team signed Nick Cross in free agency and still believes in (Quan) Martin despite a disappointing 2025 season. Those inside the building feel Martin’s upside is incredible and believe he can right the ship.”
Beyond the positions of need mentioned, Pauline also cited sources who said the Commanders are seriously interested in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if he drops out of the top five and is available at No. 7 overall.
Caleb Downs Reliable Bet at Safety in Upcoming NFL Draft
GettySafety Caleb Downs of Ohio State.
While Downs doesn’t make as many game-changing plays as some of his peers at the safety position, he is an elite communicator and traffic director on defense who stops high-level offensive talents from making explosive plays they would otherwise break.
“Downs is an alpha who brings immense juice on each snap,” Lance Zierlein of NFL Network wrote. “He’s at his best when deployed near the line as a box safety or big nickel back. He’ll gamble a little bit as a run defender, but he makes more than enough disruptive plays near the line of scrimmage to make up for it.”
Zierlein compared Downs to Jalen Pitre, a fixture with the Houston Texans — perhaps the NFL’s best defense last season — over the past four years. Pitre was an early second-round pick out of Baylor.
“While [Downs is] quick to close and strike underneath, there are hints of caution that prevent him from making more plays on the football,” Zierlein continued. “Downs isn’t the biggest, fastest or most versatile player, but he consistently puts his stamp on games.”
Commanders Just Invested Meaningfully in Nick Cross at Safety
GettyWashington Commanders safety Nick Cross.
Cross, who Pauline mentioned as a player the Commanders will rely on in 2026, inked a two-year deal in Washington worth $13 million this offseason.
The former third-round pick out of Maryland spent the first four seasons of his professional career with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played his way into a full-time starting role in 2024 and 2025.
“Cross provides the Commanders with another key piece for the defense,” John Keim of ESPN wrote in March. “He’s fast (4.34 in the 40-yard dash) and young (24). He started the past two years as the Colts’ strong safety and earned a reputation as a blitzer and stout run defender — good news for a defense that ranked 30th versus the run a year ago.”
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