Ohio State Football: Five Predictions for the Buckeyes Taken in the NFL Draft

Throughout the course of the 2011 NFL draft, the Ohio State Buckeyes had five players get drafted, all defensive players for the third time in Jim Tressel's 10-year career.

Cameron Heyward, Chimdi Chekwa, Jermale Hines, Brian Rolle and Ross Homan all have moved on to professional careers, at least when the NFL gets a new CBA.

No underclassmen for the Buckeyes entered this past draft, but the five who did get drafted have a shot to be impact players with their NFL teams.

Here are five predictions, one for each player, for how each player will do this season.

1. Cameron Heyward Will Start from Day One

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Ryan Mallett #15 of the Arkansas Razorbacks exchanges words with Cameron Heyward #97 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orlean

As far as pure fit is concerned, Cameron Heyward ended up with the one team that was best for him: the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Heyward, a prototypical 3-4 DE, will probably start right away or at worst push Brett Keisel for the starting job.

It may take Heyward some time to adjust from the 4-3, where he spent four seasons doing well at Ohio State, but he has a fantastic work ethic which should help him pick up Dick Lebeau's defense fairly quickly.

Pittsburgh was the perfect landing spot for Cameron Heyward, and he has a shot to be another key piece on a loaded Steeler defense.

2. Chimdi Chekwa Will Step in Quickly in Oakland

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Chimdi Chekwa #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is unable to come up with an interception as he goes up for the ball against Cobi Hamilton #11 of the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second quarter during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at th

Fearing the imminent departure of Nmamdi Asomugha as soon as the CBA gets renewed, the Oakland Raiders might have gotten a huge steal by drafting Chimdi Chekwa.

While Chekwa might not end up as good as Asomugha, he can very well develop into a very good corner due to his great athletic gifts.

Throughout his four-year career, Chekwa grew and developed his game year after year and turned into a very good corner.

However, a fractured wrist suffered in the 2011 Sugar Bowl may have caused him to fall into the third round of the draft. But a healthy Chekwa can be very good in the Raiders defense very quickly.

He will be in starting contention through training camp and can certainly win a starting job right away. But there is no doubt he will see the field early and often in his rookie season in the NFL. 

3. Jermale Hines Will Make the 53-Man Roster in St. Louis

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 13: Jermale Hines #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes tackles Silas Redd #25 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

The St. Louis Rams made a minor surprise taking OSU S Jermale Hines before LBs Brian Rolle and Ross Homan came off the board.

Hines, though he is very athletic and a great run-supporting safety, lacks good pass coverage skills.

But with the Rams being weak in the middle of the secondary, look for Hines to do enough to make the 53-man roster and maybe earn some playing time outside of special teams play.

He can be a good safety in run situations and with good coaching, develop even more into an all-around solid SS.

4. Brian Rolle Will Only Be on Special Teams in 2011 for Philadelphia

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COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 27: Brian Rolle #36 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a tackle for a loss against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Before he became a very good MLB for the OSU defense in 2009 and 2010, Brian Rolle was an ace on special teams.

Rolle's speed and athleticism make him a very dangerous player on the field, not to mention he is a very good tackler as well.

However, his size was the biggest detriment to his draft stock, and that size may relegate him to special teams duty to start his NFL career.

He will need to get bigger and be able to digest a new defensive system before he is given a chance to start in the future.

Rolle's time might come, but it won't be without him paying dues on special teams to start his career.

5. Ross Homan Will Crack the Two-Deep at LB with Minnesota

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: D.J. Williams #45 of the Arkansas Razorbacks attempts to not touch the ground as he tries to break a tackle by Ross Homan #51 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Super

Most Buckeye fans were surprised to see Ross Homan slide into the sixth round when some experts believed he was a third or fourth rounder this year.

And for a three-year starter at OSU, Homan will have to readjust to watching most of the game from the bench with the Minnesota Vikings.

But his starting experience combined with his smarts and tackling ability, Homan certainly has a shot to crack the two-deep at OLB for the Vikings.

At worst, he will be active on special teams.

Homan could be a very pleasant surprise for the Vikings as a sixth rounder. He might not start, but he could be a strong backup for the future.

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