Ohio State Buckeyes: Predicting What Teams Will Draft These Players

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The Ohio State Buckeyes will return six offensive and 10 defensive starters for the 2012-13 season from a team that finished 6-7 (3-5 Big Ten).

However, the six that are leaving all have a great shot to earn a job playing football on Sundays.

Thanks to the abundance of credible mock drafts listed throughout the Internet, I can apply an educated guess to what round these players will fall and the team that will select them.

Andrew Sweat, OLB

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Height: 6'2"

Weight: 238 lbs

40 Time: 4.70 seconds

Projected Round/Pick/Team: Undrafted

Andrew Sweat was undoubtedly the leader of what was a struggling linebacker corps for the Buckeyes' defense in 2011, as he recorded 72 tackles (five TFL), one interception and a forced fumble in 11 games.

However, Sweat's lack of next-level speed is a huge issue and it will affect his chances at being selected in April's draft. I don't think he'll be drafted, but that doesn't mean he won't get camp invites.

J.B. Shugarts, OT/G

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Height: 6'7"

Weight: 298 lbs

40 Time: 5.2 seconds

Projected Round/Pick/Team: Sixth/172nd/San Diego Chargers

A starter since his sophomore year, J.B. Shugarts has been big in tough situations (e.g., shutting down Penn State's Devon Still). His strength is an issue and he needs to add another 15-20 pounds, but his versatility with experience at both offensive guard and tackle gives him some value for the next level.

The Chargers' offensive line struggled all season long and starting guard Kris Dielman is considering retirement after multiple injuries.

DeVier Posey, WR

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Height: 6'2"

Weight: 213 lbs

40 Time: 4.54 seconds

Projected Round/Pick/Team: Fifth/159th/Cincinnati Bengals (via Patriots)

Once considered a second-round selection, Posey caught just 12 balls for 162 yards and two touchdowns in 2011 (three games). However, he had a good week at the Senior Bowl and also has an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine next month to impress teams.

Until then, he continues to be a gamble after his off-field troubles last offseason.

The Bengals are in need of another receiver to complement A.J. Green for several reasons: WRs Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson are free agents—Simpson is in the middle of a law dispute—Jordan Shipley has been plagued with injuries, Andrew Hawkins is too small to play every down and Ryan Whalen is a backup.

Mike Brewster, OC

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Height: 6'5"

Weight: 305 lbs

40 Time: 5.17 seconds

Projected Round/Pick/Team: Third/95th/New England Patriots

Mike Brewster is a pure pass-protector, which would suit him well in a league where the single-season record for most combined passing yards was just broken. That's also why he'd be a perfect fit for the pass-happy Patriots.

Brewster has average strength, but he knows the game of football very well and was the Buckeyes' team captain. He was also the only junior in college football to finish as a finalist for the 2010 Rimington Trophy.

Both of New England's centers are set to hit free agency once the Super Bowl is over with.

Dan Herron, RB

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Height: 5'10"

Weight: 205 lbs

40 Time: 4.52 seconds

Projected Round/Pick/Team: Third/68th/Cleveland Browns

"Boom" averaged 5.0 yards per carry in seven appearances this season, and 4.8 yards over his four-year career with the Buckeyes. He doesn't possess that breakaway speed that scouts drool over, but Herron does do a nice job of finding the gaps with adroit field vision.

Peyton Hillis is well on his way out and Montario Hardesty has yet to prove that he can stay healthy and contribute on more than a "game-to-game" basis. The Browns will likely spend their first two picks on either a quarterback, wide receiver or linebacker, so Herron would make sense here.

Mike Adams, OT

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Height: 6'8"

Weight: 320 lbs

40 Time: 5.28 seconds

Projected Round/Pick/Team: First/19th/Chicago Bears

Mike Adams will be a Top Five offensive tackle selection in this year's draft and could even be a Top 15 pick after his outstanding Senior Bowl performance.

Chicago was well on its way to the playoffs had Cutler not gotten injured, as the team was sitting at 7-3 before he went down. The Bears know they have to get the protection their quarterback needs to be a contender in the brutal NFC North, so the All-American tackle would be a solid choice.