You can never get too much coverage of the NFL draft if you’re a football junkie, and Ohio State is usually right at the top of the list of programs churning out talent. It’s now a year-round process trying to track and predict what players each team will take and, it’s no different with the folks at USA TODAY.
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz is the media giants’ NFL draft guru and he just came out with his latest and greatest projection of where teams will pick and what names you may hear called. It’s a little closer to reality at this point in the season because there’s a much better shot at a call where teams will land, but all of that will change as the NFL season goes through its latter half.
It will probably be no surprise to you, but Ohio State has some players included in the latest mock — three in fact. Who does Middlehurst-Schwartz have going in the first round, and where? Well, we’re glad you asked.
NEXT … The first Buckeye off the board
No. 2 overall pick – QB Justin Fields to the Jacksonville Jaguars
What Middlehurst-Schwartz says about Fields
“Jacksonville appears to have reached a point of clarity in conceding the limitations of Minshew Mania. Even if the Jaguars don’t leapfrog the Jets for a shot at Lawrence, Fields is no mere consolation prize. More than a dual-threat quarterback, he is comfortable picking apart defenses with precision or dialing up deep passes. Fields is an outstanding starting point for an organization seemingly facing an imminent reset.”
NEXT … The second Buckeye off the board
No. 10 overall pick – RG Wyatt Davis to the Carolina Panthers
What Middlehurst-Schwartz says about Davis
“Year 1 of Matt Rhule’s run in Carolina has been marked by several encouraging signs for the future. After spending all of their 2020 picks on defense, the Panthers can serve the offense by bringing on Davis, who projects as a steadying presence on the interior of any line.”
NEXT … The third Buckeye off the board
No. 12 overall pick – CB Shaun Wade to the Denver Broncos
What Middlehurst-Schwartz says about Wade
“Denver is a long way from the “No Fly Zone” years, with A.J. Bouye looming as a potential cut candidate in 2021. Wade still has to demonstrate he can operate as comfortably on the outside as he did in the slot, but his physical profile will attract teams.”
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