Ohio State Football: The Top 5 Draft-Eligible NFL Players

Heading into a season rife with off-the-field distractions, it's easy to overlook the amount of top talent on the Ohio State roster.

Although right now some of the most intriguing talent is in the incoming freshman class and other underclassmen, the success of 2011 will be on the shoulders of players who could be in the NFL within a year.

Senior leadership is the biggest difference between success and failure, especially if Ohio State has the intent as they say to shock the world this season.

And with seniority comes the eventual possibility of making it to the NFL with a chance of a long paid career.

Here are the five best draft-eligible prospects for Ohio State this season.

5. Jake Stoneburner, TE

The OSU TE still has another year of eligibility after this season, but he has an intriguing future as either a TE or a large WR prospect in the NFL.

He has the size and athleticism that makes him a mismatch against almost any defensive personnel at 6'6'', 250 lbs. and a 4.6 40-yard-dash time.

Stoneburner had 222 yards on 21 receptions and 2 TDs in his first real season as an offensive implement. With the suspension to DeVier Posey and a new QB starting this season, possibly freshman Braxton Miller, Stoneburner could be a very good safety valve.

If Stoneburner can become more than a one-dimensional TE, his NFL future is as a big possession-type WR that can be a huge redzone threat. He can become a good TE in the NFL, and could be an early day three pick in the draft, maybe as high as the third round.

4. DeVier Posey, WR

DeVier Posey's career at Ohio State has been a very interesting one: he has shown the ability to take over games at times, but at times can still be inconsistent.

Under suspension for the first five games, Posey's absence can really hurt the team, and make the offense one-dimensional with the lack of a proven No. 2 target.

Posey has been a pretty reliable player on his three seasons as a Buckeye, showing the ability to make the big catch and to be the home run threat.

But other times, he has some issues with drops and having consistent productivity.

He can be a good No. 2 NFL receiver with time, and seems like a solid pick at the end of day two of the NFL Draft, maybe higher depending on the depth of the receiver pool.

3. Dan Herron, RB

Dan Herron may be one of the top draft-eligible backs in the country this season after putting up numbers that would make fantasy football owners smile: 1155 yards on 216 carries and 16 TDs.

Herron's biggest attributes are his vision and quickness, plus the fact that he only fumbled once all season, which happened in the fourth quarter of the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas.

He might not have the size to be a featured back, but he can certainly take 10-15 carries in a league where most offenses rely on using two backs.

Herron might not be the fastest back, but he is as tough as they come and is a hassle to bring down.

He will find himself being picked up in day two of the 2012 NFL Draft, but could see his stock soar or slip depending on whether Trent Richardson declares after this season.

2. John Simon, DL

With seven starters graduating, Ohio State will field a very young defense across the board, with only two seniors in Tyler Moeller and Andrew Sweat on the field.

But the best player on the OSU defense will be the one that replaces 2011 first-round pick Cameron Heyward, John Simon.

Simon, well-known as a physical freak with his size and incredible motor, can be interchanged between DT and DE and creates havoc for offensive linemen very easily.

He might not come out this year, but if he does there is no doubt he has first-second round potential due to his athleticism and his versatility.

He can play defensive line in either the 4-3 or 3-4 defense and be just as disruptive in either front.

1. Mike Adams, OT

Although Mike Adams is not the best senior on this roster, the potential to be a franchise tackle will help his stock soar come draft day.

OSU has not had a first-round pick on the offensive line since Nick Mangold to the Jets, and Adams should be the next one.

He has prototypical LT size at 6'8'', 310 lbs with long arms and quick feet.

Adams enjoyed a breakout 2010 season, making first-team All-Big Ten at LT showing the ability to be a very balanced tackle prospect.

In a league with dominant pass rushers, teams are always looking for that franchise LT to protect the QB's blindside, to be the next Joe Thomas or Ryan Clady.

Mike Adams might not be as good as them, but he certainly has the ability to be a good LT in the NFL one day.

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