While the Cincinnati Bengals are hard at work at the NFL’s scouting combine this week, nothing can quell the idea that they have a rookie on the big board.
Caleb Downs.
The Ohio State safety is an elite prospect who would be an ideal fit for the Bengals, who have struggled at the position since the departure of Jesse Bates.
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Here’s a question…there’s a top-five team that sounds ready to make Towns a draft pick.
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New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh recently told reporters they would definitely consider Towns with the fifth pick, according to PFT’s Josh Alper:
“We like Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have the opportunity to draft a potential future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that’s OK with me. We’re going to draft the best player. When you draft that high, you draft the best player. It’s not a need-to-draft, it’s a best-player draft because you’re going to draft that type of player. You’re talking about a player that you’d like to see wearing a gold jacket one day, if possible.”
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One might cynically say this was just Harbaugh’s attempt at coaching talk and not revealing anything to other teams about New York’s draft strategy.
But now, everyone knows better. It’s no secret that Towns is an elite rookie. A long safety who can play deep and anywhere else on the field is a must.
Too bad the Bengals didn’t realize this before fumbling with the ball they had.
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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Can Bengals’ top NFL draft target break into the top 5?