Ohio State Football: The Buckeyes' Top 4 2015 NFL Draft Prospects

Devin Smith, Michael Bennett, Jeff Heuerman and Doran Grant were pivotal to Ohio State's national title run last season, and with the NFL draft nearing, they're set to represent the Buckeyes very well at the next level.

And if they're anything like the last crop of former Buckeyes who moved on to the NFL, they'll be ready to make an immediate impact.

Seven former Ohio State players—linebacker Ryan Shazier, cornerback Bradley Roby, running back Carlos Hyde, receiver Corey Brown and offensive linemen Corey Linsley, Jack Mewhort and Andrew Norwell—started for their respective teams during their rookie seasons.

Whether this year's NFL-bound Buckeyes can make a similar splash remains to be seen, but these four players have the tools to thrive in the league.

Devin Smith

Ohio State hasn't had a receiver drafted in the first round since the Miami Dolphins selected Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 draft. With a strong combine and a good showing at the Buckeyes' pro day, Devin Smith could end that streak.

As things stand currently, though, he's on the outside looking in.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller projects Smith as a second-round pick to the Dolphins, who could use a deep threat to replace Mike Wallace. 

There may not be a better deep threat in this year's draft. 

Smith consistently sliced through secondaries throughout his career, using his blazing speed and incredible body control to haul in 30 career touchdown passes. Twelve of those came during his senior season, when he registered 933 receiving yards and a nation's-best 28.2 yards per reception, according to CFBStats.com.

Michael Bennett

Bennett's talent and leadership will be nearly impossible to replace at Ohio State, but those qualities will make him a wanted man when the draft rolls around.

A 6'2", 288-pound defensive tackle with the ability to rush the passer and disrupt the run game, Bennett is a special talent who can boost the interior of a defensive line. But his size and skill set is limited to the 3-technique, which makes him scheme-specific to a team that runs a 4-3 defense.

Because of that, Miller projects Bennett as a late second-round pick to the Dallas Cowboys. 

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That would be an ideal landing spot for the former Ohio State star. Bennett, who notched a team-high 11 tackles for loss in the Buckeyes' final seven games, could use his devastatingly effective first step and burst to disrupt opposing offensive lines in the NFL. He'll need to find the right situation, though, because he struggles when slotted at nose tackle.

Jeff Heuerman

Heuerman was an underutilized tight end during his first two years at Ohio State, but after a solid finish to his junior season, expectations for the talented pass-catcher were high entering his senior campaign. 

"He’s a real weapon, and three years ago he wasn’t," Urban Meyer said of Heuerman, according to Tim May of The Columbus Dispatch. 

A nagging ankle injury hobbled Heuerman throughout the season, though, limiting his effectiveness as a route-runner. After registering 327 receiving yards and three touchdowns in Ohio State's final six games in 2013, he caught just 17 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns during his senior season.

That drop in production won't scare NFL teams away. Miller expects Heuerman to be the fourth tight end selected, going late in the third round to the Seattle Seahawks. 

Doran Grant

The Buckeyes have sent loads of defensive backs to the NFL over the past decade—highlighted by standouts such as Donte Whitner and Malcolm Jenkins. Grant currently projects as a sixth-round pick, via Miller, but he has the tools to be a solid cornerback in the NFL. 

Serving as Ohio State's top corner last season, he led the charge as the Buckeyes improved from 112th nationally in pass defense to 29th in 2014, according to CFBStats.com. Grant excels in press coverage because he has the strength to bump receivers at the line and the speed to keep pace on deeper routes. 

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

That skill set was on display in Ohio State's Sugar Bowl matchup against Alabama. Facing the most dangerous receiver in college football, Grant helped the Buckeyes limit Amari Cooper to 71 receiving yards, which was his third-lowest output of the season. 

While Grant is projecting as Miller's lowest-rated Buckeye, it wouldn't be surprising if he went on to have the best NFL career.  

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via OhioStateBuckeyes.com. All recruiting rankings and information via 247Sports.

David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.