Three Ohio State Buckeyes Who Will Be First-Round Picks in 2027 NFL Draft

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to have a prestigious 2026 NFL Draft, with multiple players predicted to be taken in the first round. Which Buckeyes will be taken in the first round in 2027?

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) leaves the field following warm-ups prior to the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas for the College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 31, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to have another successful 2026 NFL Draft, with multiple Buckeyes projected to be taken in the first two rounds including linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs, who have both been projected as top-10 picks.

The 2027 NFL Draft could prove to be even more prestigious for the Buckeyes, with three players who will be a sure-fire first round pick. 

Jeremiah Smith - Wide Receiver

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith listens to questions during the Cotton Bowl Media Day at AT&T Stadium in Dallas prior to the College Football Playoff matchup against the Miami Hurricanes on Dec. 29, 2025. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

If all goes to plan for Smith in 2026, he will enter the 2027 NFL Draft as the best wide receiver available and depending on which team is picking at No. 1 overall, Smith could be the first Buckeye taken with the first pick since offensive tackle Orlando Pace was taken by the Rams in 1997.

Smith will be a candidate for the Heisman Trophy in 2026 and is a surefire first round pick in 2027. Smith recorded 87 receptions and had the fourth most receiving yards in the country with 1,243. Smith’s 12 touchdowns were good enough to be tied for sixth in the country in the metric and many believe he could lead the nation in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2026.

Julian Sayin - Quarterback

Whether or not Julian Sayin declares for the 2027 NFL Draft is yet to be seen, but if he does he will be a surefire first round pick. Sayin was in New York in 2025 for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, and will be among the favorites to not only be there again in 2026 but to win it.

Sayin threw for 3,610 yards in 2025 while adding on 32 touchdowns and only surrendering eight interceptions. Sayin’s 88.4 QBR was good enough to be ranked third in the country.

 It is possible Sayin will follow the route that Oregon quarterback Dante Moore took and return for another season, but if he wins the Heisman Trophy or is in New York for the ceremony once again, it would be hard to turn down the guaranteed money that would be allotted to him as a first round pick. 

Payton Pierce - Linebacker

Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Payton Pierce (26) celebrates after a fumble recovery in the first quarter against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images | Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Pierce saw a huge uptick in production in 2025, recording 44 tackles while forcing a fumble and recovering it. With the way Ohio State has been able to develop defensive players, Pierce should be the next man up in 2026.

Linebacker Arvell Reese is expected to go in the first round in 2026, and Pierce could very well follow him in 2027. 

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