They might be the two best in the business. ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr., and Todd McShay break down the NFL draft like few others on an annual basis. They don’t always agree, but that’s what makes it a hoot.
They both just went through a fun exercise (subscription required) of drafting 22 players each for the best available team of all those eligible for the 2021 NFL draft. Seeing how Ohio State is one of the best NFL football factories out there, you’d expect to see a Buckeye flavor to the two yin and yang analysts.
But no, surprisingly enough, with 44 players overall taken, just one OSU player was selected. That means the pair believe the Buckeyes won’t have a ton of talent going in the early rounds of the draft as elite players this year, which is a break from the norm.
We and others have already chronicled the sheer volume of players Ohio State will have eligible and the likelihood of most going at some point during the draft. But it’s looking more and more like there’s a ton of middle-round talent this time around.
So, which ESPN NFL draft guru took an Ohio State player, who was it, and at what position? You might be surprised — or not. It really depends on where you think everything lines up between rumors, truth, and everything in-between.
NEXT … Who took an Ohio State player?
Mel Kiper picks Justin Fields with the very last pick at No. 44
What Kiper and McShay say about the pick
At the start of the draft after McShay pulled the string on Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick, and with Kiper taking Florida tight end Kyle Pitts as his first pick.
Kiper: “You know, I’m going to follow some advice from a draft consultant here. There’s no reason I need to take my quarterback now. I’ll get him at the end. We don’t build one-man teams.”
After the selection of Fields to close everything out
Kiper: “Surprised that I picked Fields over Zach Wilson? You shouldn’t be. I’ve had Fields as my No. 2 quarterback all along, and I’m not changing now.”
McShay: “Wow. Still? There’s no way I’d go Fields over Wilson. I guess Fields beat Lawrence head-to-head in the College Football Playoff, but it isn’t happening again here. You’re getting the fourth- or fifth-best quarterback in the class to run your squad. I’ll give you a mulligan if you want, Mel.”
That’s it. That is the lone Buckeye the two pulled the trigger on among fourteen OSU players eligible for the draft. No Shaun Wade at corner, no Wyatt Davis on the offensive line, and none of the OSU linebackers.
NEXT … What we say
About Fields being picked and no other Buckeye
What We Say
While it’s true that there isn’t as much elite talent coming out in this year’s draft for Ohio State, it sure feels like some of the skill is being slept on. I’m not sure there’s a better offensive guard in this class than Wyatt Davis. Some have been scared off by a nagging leg injury last year, but he’ll be ready to go for whatever NFL team selects him. The tape doesn’t lie.
Shaun Wade’s draft stock took a bit hit because of his struggles during last season, but he still has a high, high ceiling and someone’s going to be able to hone those God-given abilities, especially seeing how we found out Wade was dinged up a bit in a shortened season.
And … about Fields being the fourth or fifth-best quarterback in this class as McShay opines, I don’t see it. Fields is the most athletic quarterback in the entire class, has a strong arm, and can keep things alive with his feet. He’s also got a tireless work ethic, can lead in a room of leaders, and is tough as nails. It’s crazy to think that what he did against better competition than some of the other quarterbacks is worth the narrative that he’s not the second or third best option at worst under center.
We’ve been surprised before though, so I guess we’ll be able to pass judgment on all of that in hindsight.
You can get a look at Kiper and McShay’s complete teams they drafted by visiting the piece on ESPN.com (subscription required).
Ten Ohio State players appear in CBS Sports’ complete, seven-round NFL mock draft
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