NFL Mock Draft: 3 Buckeyes Go 1st Round, But No Dawand Jones?
How many Ohio State Buckeyes will hear their name called during the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft?
A recent mock draft from The Athletic has three Buckeyes projected to go off the board in round one—no surprise C.J. Stroud is the first, being selected No. 7 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders heading into their second year with head coach Josh McDaniel are looking to replace Derek Carr, who was cut after declining to waive his no-trade clause. Stroud would give McDaniel a true pocket-passing quarterback with more athletic upside when compared to Carr.
The pursuit of veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Jimmy Garropolo may decide whether the Raiders would consider taking a quarterback at No. 7.
Following Stroud was left tackle Paris Johnson Jr., who, like his quarterback, is another prospect who has garnered a consensus first-round projection. Johnson is projected to be taken at No. 11 overall by the Tennessee Titans, making him the first offensive tackle to be taken.
Lastly, the mock draft has Jaxon Smith-Njigba going to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 22.
Smith-Njigba would give Lamar Jackson, or for that matter, any Ravens quarterback, a valuable weapon on the outside at receiver, something they've needed. Njigba's fall down the draft board from a year ago is due to a hamstring issue allowing him to only play in three games his junior season.
But as he showed in his sophomore season, where he put on a record performance in the Rose Bowl at full health, he is one of the best receivers in the class.
Three Buckeyes in the first round certainly wouldn't be a bad day for the program, but there is potential for more, as former right tackle Dawand Jones is a prospect that's been on the rise since playing in the Senior Bowl.
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