Ohio State has had a slew of top-end NFL players getting it done over the last few years. Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas, and the Bosa Brothers are just some of the former Buckeyes that are Pro Bowl-caliber guys making Buckeye Nation proud.
But not all former OSU players are reaching their full potential. Some have yet to really come into their own despite being first-round draft picks, and are looking for a breakout year to remain a commodity teams in the NFL seek to better their organizations.
On that note, USA TODAY published a piece ranking those former first-round players on the hot seat that need to have a good year with their teams before they are left perhaps looking for other opportunities.
There are two former Ohio State players mentioned and we’ll run through both of them for you. We’ll also tell you what USA TODAY’s Nate Davis says about where each stands heading into the 2020-21 season and provide our own opinion as well.
Next … A QB in our nation’s capital
No. 9 – QB Dwayne Haskins, Washington Redskins
What Nate Davis says
“It’s rare to see a first-rounder on the hot seat coming off a rookie year that featured just seven starts. But fairly or not, Haskins finds himself under a microscope amid regime change – especially now that new coach Ron Rivera has imported QB Kyle Allen, 24, from Carolina while admitting he’s open to the idea of potentially adding fellow former Panther and 2015 league MVP Cam Newton.”
What we say
Generally, a first-round quarterback is given more time to prove himself, but the head-coaching change is a big deal. When guys look to rebuild an organization like what Ron Rivera will be doing, they bring the memory of other players that helped them in a previous life. The reality is that Rivera just got let go from another job and needs to show some progress quickly in today’s NFL.
Rivera will have a short leash on Haskins, so the former Heisman finalist will have to hit the ground running and show that he’s worth the investment. It’s not an ideal situation for Haskins any longer, but at least it looks like he’s going to get the first crack at the starting job. From there, it’s up to him to perform at the high level we started to see at the end of last year.
Next … A big play DB that needs to stay healthy
No. 10 – DB Malik Hooker, Indianapolis Colts
What Nate Davis says
“Worrisome development when a draft-and-develop team turns down your fifth-year option. But it’s understandable in Hooker’s case given he’s missed 14 games in three seasons and has only picked off seven passes despite being touted as a turnover-producing center fielder coming out of Ohio State. The arrival of third-rounder Julian Blackmon only intensifies internal competition on the back line.”
What we say
Hooker has been a product of bad luck with injuries. You know the guy has the skill set to be a Pro-Bowl type talent and is about as athletic as they no matter the position. Unfortunately for him, once you get tagged as being a guy that is easily dinged up, it’s hard to shake. He has to have a year in which he’s completely healthy and makes a ton of plays on the back-end of the defense or he might be shopping for another deal elsewhere.
