We are now less than a week away from the 2020 NFL draft in all of its virtual glory. Ohio State has historically been a monster as far as producing NFL talent and this year proves to be no different. We’ll likely hear Chase Young and Jeff Okudah go among the top five or ten players, and many more will follow from there throughout the seven rounds.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. has been analyzing and mocking drafts longer than I can remember. He studies a ton of tape, has an unbelievable reservoir of knowledge to draw from, and has the hair to set it all off.
Like anyone though, Kiper has his favorite players (subscription required) at each position he’s studied, and this year, three of those are Ohio State Buckeyes. That trio includes Chase Young, Damon Arnette, and J.K. Dobbins. Here’s what he says about all three along with a draft projection …
Next … What Kiper says about J.K Dobbins
Running back
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
“I just love the way Dobbins runs. He’s ferocious. He hits holes hard, and he has some breakaway ability. Dobbins, my second-ranked back in this class, ran for 2,003 yards last season, breaking the Ohio State single-season record. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry. He looked much more explosive than he did in 2018, when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in a disappointing sophomore season.
Dobbins didn’t work out at the NFL scouting combine because of an ankle injury suffered in the College Football Playoff, and he wasn’t able to have a pro day in front of scouts. That means we don’t have official testing numbers on him, which hurts him in his quest to be the top back off the board. Still, he could be a second-round steal.”
Projection:
Kiper expects Dobbins to come off the board in the first half of Round 2.
Next … What Kiper says about Chase Young
Defensive end
Chase Young, Ohio State
“OK, this is another obvious pick, but Young has been No. 1 overall on my Big Board since September. He’s the best prospect in this class. And among the defensive ends, there’s a big drop-off after Young, who is one of the most NFL-ready pass-rushers I have graded in the past decade. He could get double-digit sacks as a rookie.
Young was a strip-sack menace last season, forcing six fumbles on his way to 16.5 sacks, setting the single-season record for the Buckeyes. At 6-foot-4, 264 pounds, Young could play end in a 4-3 defense or outside linebacker in a 3-4. He’s elite, plain and simple.”
Projection:
Kiper doesn’t think Young won’t make it out of the top two picks.
Next … What Kiper says about Damon Arnette
Cornerback
Damon Arnette, Ohio State
“Arnette doesn’t have the athletic traits of his teammate Jeff Okudah, the top corner in this class, but he’s a solid player who doesn’t make mistakes. He just sticks to wide receivers, even without elite speed. At 6-foot, 195 pounds, he has decent size, but his 4.56 40 at the combine is going to push him down some teams’ boards. Arnette is my ninth-ranked corner. The team that picks him on Day 2 could find an instant starter, though.”
Projection:
Kiper believes Arnette is likely a second-round pick.
