Trio of Buckeyes included in The Athletic's latest source-driven mock draft
COLUMBUS — Ohio State figures to be heavily involved in the first round of the NFL Draft next month.
And with the latest mock drafts coming out, the Buckeyes have good reason to believe that. Three of their biggest stars could be selected in the top half of the first round. That’s where The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has them slotted, after all, following his discussions with numerous coaches, draft scouts and analysts.
Feldman released his source-driven mock draft on Friday morning, and Ohio State has a heavy presence in the first round, including at the top overall pick. Lettermen Row is recapping where Feldman has each former Buckeyes star landing — and why.
No. 1 overall — Carolina Panthers select Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
No surprise here, and it appears that more and more folks believe C.J. Stroud will be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft next month. Feldman talked to scouts at multiple levels, and he has Stroud landing with the Panthers with the top selection. Feldman believes Stroud is worthy of becoming the top pick due to what he saw in college. Anonymous sources agree with The Athletic’s reporter: Stroud has a chance to be special at the next level.
Here’s why:
“I think he’ll be really good in the pros. He’s very smart. They did a good job with him. He keeps his eyes downfield. I think he’s confident. He understands protections. He’s got poise. He’s been on the big stage. Georgia’s defense is as good a comparison to the NFL as you’ll get, and look what he did to them.”
Anonymous quote to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman
No. 7 overall — Las Vegas Raiders select Buckeyes OT Paris Johnson Jr.
As the Las Vegas Raiders undergo major changes in their organization, Feldman has the Raiders landing a new face of the franchise and a player that they can build around. That player is former Buckeyes offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. with the No. 7 overall pick. Johnson was a former five-star prospect who certainly made the most of his three years at Ohio State, starting at guard for a year and tackle for a year.
Scouts love what they see from Johnson:
“He’s a really solid player, very athletic and long. He does a really good job climbing to the second level on their gap plays and also sets the tone on their stretch plays that they run so well. When they decided to run the ball, they did it behind him.”
“I think he kept getting better and better over the year. You can see he got a lot more comfortable being in space and got better at using angles.”
Anonymous quotes to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman
No. 11 overall — Tennessee Titans select WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Even after the Tennessee Titans selected Treylon Burks in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft, Feldman believes the Titans will go after another receiving weapon in the first round again this year. That weapon: former Buckeyes receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who couldn’t play for most of last season due to injury but is still thought of as the top receiver in the draft.
Scouts couldn’t help but rave about the Ohio State product:
“You can line him up anywhere. He’s light on his feet. Really strong hands; is strong after the catch. Has great change of direction. He really blocks. He high-points it really well. Just a better all-around player than Olave and Wilson. I thought he was better than Marvin Harrison Jr., too. They’re different. You can put him in the slot and do a lot with him. I don’t think Harrison will be able to run certain routes. You can line (Smith-Njigba) off of the ball in stacks and bunches and really give people problems with pick routes, rub routes and Jerk routes. You see people playing with a three-corner defense with that nickel who is more of a blitzer (and) he will eat them alive.”
Anonymous quote to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman
