Ohio State Football 2016 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results
The Ohio State Buckeyes are loaded with prospects for the 2016 NFL draft, and it should come as no surprise that head coach Urban Meyer's group has lost only four games combined over the last three seasons.
Per Mark Podolski of the News-Herald, the Buckeyes could potentially set an NFL draft record with seven first-round selections. Even if they do not reach that mark, this group is very talented and expected to tie the school record with 14 selections overall. With so many losses, it's also important that we take a look at the guys who will replace these stars and be counted on in 2016.
Note: This NFL Draft tracker will be updated as the players are selected.
DE Joey Bosa
1 of 15
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 3 to San Diego
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 269 lbs
Analysis: Bosa will join a Chargers team that already possesses electric pass-rushers in Jeremiah Attaochu and Melvin Ingram, so this could be a tough group to block in 2016. Some may question Bosa's effectiveness in the 3-4 defensive scheme that San Diego runs, but he provides enough position versatility to make an impact right away.
Replacement: Tyquan Lewis should lock down a defensive end spot because of the breakout year he had in 2015, but top-level recruiting will give him plenty of competition. Sam Hubbard is projected to start at the other defensive end spot, but talented backups include Jalyn Holmes and Jashon Cornell. Bosa's younger brother, Nick, will be a freshman in 2016, so he is another guy to keep an eye on.
RB Ezekiel Elliott
2 of 15
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 4 to Dallas
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 225 lbs
Analysis: The Cowboys already have two solid running backs in Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris, but this was clearly a situation in which they picked the best player available. This was the best possible situation for Elliott, who will be running behind one of the NFL's best offensive lines.
Replacement: The running back job will come down to Mike Weber, who redshirted last season, and Bri'onte Dunn, but Meyer could also factor Curtis Samuel into the decision. He is a playmaker whose speed will fit perfectly into Ohio State's offensive scheme and could possibly split time between "H" back and running back.
CB Eli Apple
3 of 15
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 10 to New York Giants
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 199 lbs
Analysis: This is a few picks higher than Apple was expected to be selected, but the Giants obviously liked what they saw in the former Ohio State Buckeye. He ran a 4.4 on the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and Lance Zierlein of NFL.com thinks Apple's size and strength will allow him to compete with physical receivers.
Replacement: Damon Webb and Denzel Ward will likely battle it out for Apple's previous position, and sophomore Marshon Lattimore is also an option. According to Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com, Ward is the fastest player on the team. New defensive coordinator Greg Schiano may have to do some shuffling this summer to get the group he likes.
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OT Taylor Decker
4 of 15
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 16 to Detroit
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 310 lbs
Analysis: Three offensive tackles going ahead of Decker early in the first round really helped his draft stock, because Detroit needed a tackle and he was clearly the best available.
Per NFL.com, one AFC scout was very high on Decker before the draft, saying, "I hope you kill this guy because I would love for him to fall to us. He's strong and tough. You can beat him up with this or that, but he'll be a long-time starting right tackle in the league for years." It's clear to see what Detroit saw in this guy.
Replacement: Jamarco Jones was groomed to be Decker's replacement a year ago, and 2016 should be the year for the 6'5" junior to get his chance.
LB Darron Lee
5 of 15
Drafted: Round 1, Pick 20 to New York Jets
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 232 lbs
Analysis: Darron Lee's 4.47 time on the 40-yard dash really stood out at the combine, but Lance Zierlein of NFL.com thinks Lee will need to add some weight to become a consistent NFL linebacker. Lee is a guy that can cover a lot of space as a tackler, and he will join a Jets defense that isn't short on playmakers.
.Replacement: The battle for the strong-side linebacker position will come down to junior Chris Worley and sophomore Jerome Baker, and either one of those guys could win the job. Worley has the edge on experience, but Baker has a lot of upside.
WR Michael Thomas
6 of 15
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 47 to New Orleans
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 212 lbs
Analysis: Thomas was projected to be one of the first receivers off the board and, although he had to wait, he ended up in a great situation. He will join a New Orleans offense that passes the ball frequently with future Hall of Famer Drew Brees. Thomas may not possess the overall athleticism of some of the other receivers in this class, but he is a consistent pass-catcher who will win a lot of one-on-one battles with cornerbacks.
Replacement: Noah Brown missed all of last season with a leg injury, but he will be counted on this fall to be one of J.T. Barrett's top targets. Torrance Gibson, a former high school quarterback, could also get a lot of playing time behind Brown.
S Vonn Bell
7 of 15
Drafted: Round 2, Pick 61 to New Orleans
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 199 lbs
Analysis: Expected to be one of the first safeties off the board, Bell fell a little further than expected. Per Sun Herald, the Saints traded up to select Bell, so it seems they got their guy. Bell is a little undersized for a safety, and it's unclear if he can play corner in the NFL, but he is an excellent defender in coverage that was overall a good pick.
Replacement: Erick Smith will likely take over this safety spot. He is a former 4-star recruit and has been a solid contributor in his first two seasons with the team.
DT Adolphus Washington
8 of 15
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 80 to Buffalo
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 301 lbs
Analysis: Washington is an elite interior pass-rusher, and his size should help him at the next level. According to Pro Football Focus, Washington had the third-best pass-rushing grade among interior defensive linemen. ESPN's Todd McShay even said that he could be the best interior pass-rusher in this class. Buffalo has made defense an area of importance in this draft, and Washington will provide the Bills with another pass-rusher up the middle.
Replacement: Michael Hill is the favorite to start at one of the defensive tackle positions, but it's unclear who will back him up. Tracy Sprinkle is projected to hold down the other tackle spot, while Bosa could end up battling for a backup job.
WR Braxton Miller
9 of 15
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 85 to Houston
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 201 lbs
Analysis: The Houston Texans needed to select a receiver at some point in this draft, and they now have two of them within the first three rounds. After selecting Notre Dame's Will Fuller in the first round, the Texans added another speedster in Braxton Miller. He is a player with a lot of potential because of his hands and athleticism, and he should be a phenomenal complementary receiver to Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins.
Replacement: Parris Campbell, James Clark, Austin Mack and Terry McLaurin are all options to see time at receiver for Ohio State this year, but the leader of the pack should be Campbell. He will have the most experience of any receiver returning.
TE Nick Vannett
10 of 15
Drafted: Round 3, Pick 94 to Seattle
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 257 lbs
Analysis: Nick Vannett is a prototypical tight end for what offenses want to do today in the NFL. He isn't the best blocking tight end, and that will have to improve, but he has enough potential as a receiver to help Seattle out right away.
Replacement: Marcus Baugh started four games late in the season a year ago when the Buckeyes went with two tight ends, so expect him to take the starting job. He recorded two catches for 32 yards last season.
LB Joshua Perry
11 of 15
Drafted: Round 4, Pick 102 to San Diego
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 254 lbs
Analysis: A co-captain as a senior, Perry possesses the leadership and the work ethic that NFL head coaches love to see. He will join former teammate Bosa in San Diego, who the Chargers selected with their first round pick. While he may lack some athleticism, Perry has good instincts and should be a good addition to the Chargers defense.
Replacement: Junior Dante Booker appears to be the early favorite to take over Perry's duties, but he will likely be pushed by Justin Hilliard, a former 5-star recruit.
QB Cardale Jones
12 of 15
Drafted: Round 4, Pick 139 to Buffalo
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 253 lbs
Analysis: Cardale Jones's frame is ideal for an NFL quarterback, but his lack of experience and technique probably resulted in his fourth round selection. Jones will need a couple of years to sit and develop, so putting him behind Tyrod Taylor and E.J. Manuel will benefit him early in his career.
Replacement: There isn't much question here, as Barrett will finally have the spotlight to himself. After accounting for 45 total touchdowns in his freshman season, Barrett shared the job with Jones in 2015 and threw far fewer passes. Barrett is one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country, and that will be on full display in 2016.
WR Jalin Marshall
13 of 15
Drafted: Undrafted
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 200 lbs
Analysis: Marshall is a guy who can play multiple positions and play them well. He saw his carries go down in 2015, but he was still a weapon in the receiving game with 36 catches and five touchdowns. Ian Hartitz of Land-Grant Holy Land wrote that his versatility is great, but his lack of a true NFL position may be a weakness.
Replacement: The H-back position will likely come down to Dontre Wilson, Demario McCall and K.J. Hill, but all signs point to Wilson—a rising senior—taking over Marshall's duties in 2016.
S Tyvis Powell
14 of 15
Drafted: Undrafted
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 211 lbs
Analysis: Another talented defender from this Buckeyes team, Powell was another reason for Ohio State's successful campaign in 2015. Per Zierlein, though, a Big Ten offensive assistant may have brought up a weakness: "Our game plan was to run at him." He has the size to be a contributor right away for a team, but his physicality in the run game will have to improve.
Replacement: Sophomore Malik Hooker looks poised to earn a starting spot this fall, but it all depends on whether the Buckeyes decide to shuffle around some of the corners and safeties. Webb is another guy who could be in for snaps this year at safety.
OG Chase Farris
15 of 15
Drafted: Undrafted
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 310 lbs
Analysis: Farris projects as a guard in the NFL, but he was a solid right tackle for the Buckeyes during his career. He switched over from the defensive line early on in college, so there still may be a learning process with the transition. Zierlein wrote that "his lack of experience and technique makes him a project," but he also has the potential to be a powerful guard.
Replacement: Isaiah Prince made the two-deep as a freshman last season, so he should be ready to take over Farris' right tackle position in 2016. At 6'7" and 305 pounds, Prince has the size and potential to be a special player for the Buckeyes.
Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.
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