Hindsight is 2020, and the 2016 NFL draft class for Ohio State has done fairly well. So well in fact, that NFL.com believes that not only would have four players still gone in the first round, but three of those would have been selected within the top four picks overall.
It’s always like looking in the crystal ball to try and evaluate how guys will translate from college football to the highest level on the planet, and sometimes NFL executives and scouts get it right, and other times they don’t. As it played out, OSU had a pretty good day anyhow, with five Buckeyes going in the top 20 players selected, and twelve overall throughout the draft.
But to have three of the top four would have been outright ridiculous. And when you look back at it and re-evaluate teams’ needs vs. who has produced since then, that’s what Adam Rank of NFL.com believes should have taken place.
Here’s how it all could have — and according to him — should have, played out.
NEXT … The No. 2 pick
No. 2 overall – Joey Bosa to the Cleveland Browns
What actually happened
The Browns selected quarterback Carson Wentz. Joey Bosa was taken with the No. 3 overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers.
What Adam Rank Says
“For a few years there, the Browns were questioned for trading out of this pick and inherently passing on Wentz. Lampooned, really. But I would say that it’s all worked out pretty well for Cleveland over the past couple of seasons. Imagine what would have happened if the Browns had selected Bosa second overall. The fan base obviously would’ve warmly welcomed the Ohio State product. He’s also good at football, posting double-digit sacks in three of his five seasons.
NEXT … The No. 3 pick
No. 3 overall – Michael Thomas to Los Angeles Chargers
What actually happened
The Chargers selected Bosa. Michael Thomas was selected in the second round as the No. 47 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. Can you say great value?
What Adam Rank Says
“The Chargers nailed their pick with Bosa, but with him going No. 2 overall in this exercise, L.A. selects Thomas. The Chargers have always had those tall, physical receivers, so Thomas seems like a perfect pick to pair with Keenan Allen. The Bolts also had a need for a speedy receiver at the outset of the 2016 offseason, but they signed Travis Benjamin that March, so I favor Thomas over Tyreek Hill here. This isn’t saying Thomas is better than Tyreek, but it’s a better fit for the 2016 Chargers.”
NEXT … The No. 4 pick
No. 4 overall – Ezekiel Elliott to the Dallas Cowboys
What actually happened
This is exactly what happened anyhow. Zeke has been a mainstay of the offense in Dallas.
What Adam Rank Says
“The Cowboys selected Zeke here in real life. And I would say that it was a smart pick. Even though the “running backs don’t matter” crowd still hates it to this day. But Elliott has been good for the Cowboys. The guy did lead the league in rushing twice, rolling up 1,631 yards and 16 total touchdowns as a rookie. It hasn’t been Zeke’s fault. I would still make that call today. Like, do you think the Cowboys were a Jalen Ramsey away from winning a Super Bowl?”
NEXT … The bonus No. 22 pick
No. 22 overall – Taylor Decker to the Houston Texans
What actually happened
TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson was selected No. 22 by Washington. The Texans originally picked Will Fuller by moving up a spot. Decker was taken by the Detroit Lions with the No. 16 overall pick.
What Adam Rank Says
“Houston will not be taking Doctson here, as Washington did. But since Houston would eventually trade picks for Laremy Tunsil, why not use this selection on Decker? He’d provide more stability on the O-line, something Deshaun Watson would’ve appreciated in his first few years. Maybe in this Bizarro World, Watson’s happy as a clam in Houston!”
NEXT … The Bottom Line
What it all means
Wrapping things up
Ohio State originally had five first-rounders in 2016, so there were clearly a couple of guys that didn’t perform up to standards. Eli Apple and Darron Lee never quite found their home in the NFL. But with the star power at the top with the revelation of Michael Thomas, and with Zeke and Bosa tearing it up, OSU had more top-shelf talent that has become superstars in the NFL more than any other program from that year’s draft.
Once a Buckeye …
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