With the end of the college football season (aside from the FCS), and the crazy Super Bowl championship run by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, all eyes are now focused on the upcoming 2021 NFL draft. That normally means we’ll see plenty of Ohio State players parading across the stage, and that promises to be the case in Cleveland this time around.
You’ll see plenty of mock drafts from now until all the shenanigans take place on April 29, and we’re on top of all of it. A lot of the analysis comes from NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks, and he just released his top five players at every position, and the Buckeyes are well represented with four on the list.
Who are they, and how does Brooks have them ranked? Here’s who Brooks has identified as one of the elite players heading to the NFL draft that wore the scarlet and gray.
NEXT … The QB you all know and love
No. 2 overall QB – Justin Fields
Bucky Brooks’ Total Top Five
1. Trevor Lawrence – Clemson
2. Justin Fields – Ohio State
3. Zach Wilson – BYU
4. Trey Lance – North Dakota State
5. Mac Jones – Alabama
Many analysts have dropped Fields down to the third or fourth quarterback available in the draft, but not Brooks. He clearly believes that the former Heisman finalist has put together a body of work that speaks for itself. Add that to the fantastic performances against top-end talented teams like Clemson, and the upside is huge.
NEXT … A running back that gained a lot of steam
No. 5 overall RB – Trey Sermon
Bucky Brooks’ Total Top Five
1. Najee Harris – Alabama
2. Travis Etienne – Clemson
3. Javonte Williams – North Carolina
4. Michael Carter – North Carolina
5. Trey Sermon – Ohio State
Sermon wasn’t really on anyone’s radar through the middle of the season. Then, Master Teague got banged up a bit and Sermon got the bulk of the carries, going on an absolute three-game tear against Michigan State, vs. Northwestern in Indy, and against Clemson in the Sugar Bowl. He has great vision, is slippery, and hard to bring down, and can catch passes out of the backfield.
NEXT … An extremely athletic offensive guard
No. 2 overall interior blocker – Wyatt Davis
Bucky Brooks’ Total Top Five
1. Alijah Vera-Tucker – Alabama
2. Wyatt Davis – Ohio State
3. Trey Smith – Tennessee
4. Creed Humphrey – Oklahoma
5. Landon Dickerson – Alabama
Davis is equally adept at run-blocking and pass-protecting. He had a bit of a banged-up knee injury he had to deal with at the tail-end of last season, but a guy his size rarely possesses the technique, footwork, and athletic ability he has. Davis might be the first guard taken off the board, and for good reason.
NEXT … An outside linebacker with high-end athleticism
No. 5 overall outside linebacker – Baron Browning
Bucky Brooks’ Total Top Five
1. Zaven Collins – Tulsa
2. Azeez Ojulari – Georgia
3. Joseph Ossai – Texas
4. Chris Rumph II – Duke
5. Baron Browning – Ohio State
Browning didn’t have eye-popping stats in 2020, but he shows up in a lot of mock drafts because of his abilities on the field. He’s got a lot of fast-twitch ability and can cover in space with his speed and ability to dissect. Browning is extremely athletic and his abilities should translate well to today’s NFL game.
All Ohio State football players eligible for the 2021 NFL draft
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