Where draft experts have Buckeyes landing in too-early 2026 NFL Draft big boards, mock drafts

COLUMBUS — Ohio State just tied its own record and the Big Ten record for most draft picks — and even was just one pick shy of the all-time record — from a single program in a single draft. The national champion Buckeyes dominated the NFL Draft with four first-round picks and 14 overall draft picks.

Next spring, Ohio State will likely continue to add to its record for most first-round picks in NFL Draft history. Draft experts are already putting together their too-early big boards and mock drafts for the 2026 NFL Draft — even though it’s a full year from now.

Lettermen Row has rounded up some notable mock drafts and big boards for two Ohio State stars, Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate, who are expected to be first-round picks as of early May. Let’s dive in.

SAF Caleb Downs

No safety has been selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft since Jamal Adams in 2017. But Caleb Downs is a different level of player, and the too-early mock drafts absolutely love Downs as a potential top draft choice next spring. ESPN’s Jordan Reid called him “the complete package at safety — active, instinctive and capable of shutting down the middle of the field.” ProFootball Focus said Downs potentially “could go down as one of the greatest safety prospects in recent memory.”

Simply put, pro scouts love what they see from Downs through two seasons. Here’s where they all have the superstar safety landing in the draft — a year away from it:

The Athletic: No. 7 overall to Las Vegas Raiders
ESPN’s Jordan Reid: No. 5 overall to Cleveland Browns
CBS Sports: No. 10 overall to New England Patriots
PFF: No. 3 overall to Tennessee Titans
NBC Sports: No. 5 overall to New Orleans Saints
Yahoo! Sports: No. 2 overall prospect

WR Carnell Tate

The buzz about Tate as the ‘next up’ from Ohio State is already growing. ESPN said Tate is “a smooth, efficient-moving receiver who had 52 receptions for 733 yards and 4 touchdowns last season as the Buckeyes’ WR3” and said he “has a chance to step up his production and further show his dependability as a pass catcher and route runner.” CBS Sports has Tate in the first round but did say he “is far from a given, but one to watch in what may be another thin wide receiver group.”

Here’s where they all have the junior wide receiver landing in next spring’s draft:

The Athletic: No. 13 overall to Miami Dolphins
ESPN: No. 19 overall to Denver Broncos
CBS Sports: No. 14 overall to Dallas Cowboys
NBC Sports: No. 26 overall to Los Angeles Rams
Yahoo! Sports: No. 22 overall prospect