Saints QB Tyler Shough endorses top draft prospect for New Orleans

The New Orleans Saints found their offensive leader in quarterback Tyler Shough last year, and now he is backing a potential defensive cornerstone in the 2026 NFL Draft.

New Orleans appears set at safety after signing Julian Blackmon in free agency to a position group that includes veteran Justin Reid and second-year player Jonas Sanker.

Even so, Shough has expressed some support for the idea of the Saints selecting Ohio State standout Caleb Downs, widely regarded as the top safety in the 2026 draft class.

Shough joined hosts Caleb Downs and his brother Josh Downs, an Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, on their show Downs 2 Business - available to Game Pass subscribers on DAZN.

Asked by Josh about Caleb joining the Saints, Shough welcomed the possibility.

The Saints limited opposing quarterbacks to an 84.8 passer rating last season, ranking fifth across the league.

Given their depth at safety and other roster priorities, New Orleans seems unlikely to spend the No. 8 overall pick on another player at that position.

However, as the reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time unanimous All-American, Caleb Downs brings a rare skill set and would represent an upgrade in any safety room.

The idea of Caleb Downs landing in New Orleans clearly has some personal appeal.

On the show, Josh Downs admitted, “I used to be a die-hard Saints fan”. Caleb Downs echoed that sentiment, saying, "We used to root for the Saints”.

That connection adds an extra layer to the conversation, and with April 23 approaching, it’s one worth watching to see if it turns into something real.