The Ohio State Buckeyes' departing players are going to be all over the 2026 NFL Draft Board.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are saying goodbye to several key players from last year's team that set another Championship foundation for the future of the Buckeyes program.
In saying goodbye, they will be some of the most sought-after talent for all NFL teams, no matter where they are drafting in this Spring's NFL Draft.
NFL Mock Draft expert Cam Mellor of PFSN released the list of Buckeyes and where he predicts that they will be drafted. On his board, he listed 10 NFL-caliber players who will be drafted and selected in the draft. The highest being in the top-5 with the lowest being an Undrafted Free Agent.
It will be a race to be the first off the board between Arvell Reese and Carnell Tate. Both of the players are elite and will immediately improve any franchise across the league.
Reese made himself a lot of money this past year for what he did in 2025. He showed that he has what it takes to be a top-tier pass rusher at the next level, and that is an incredibly coveted position.
Tate, on the same hand, will become an NFL team's No. 1 receiver the moment he is selected.
The other first-round selections will undoubtedly be Caleb Downs, Sonny Styles, and Kayden McDonald, who will all be selected in no particular order.
All three of those players will also make an impact on their roster upon their arrival. Downs could be the next great NFL safety, just the same as Styles' potential to become the next great linebacker in the league.
Two more Buckeyes are projected to be top-100 picks: Davison Igbinosun and tight end Max Klare.
Igbinosun was a victim of Ohio State's dominance. Pair the Buckeyes elite defense with two years of a weak schedule in Columbus, where he rarely got challenged. When the ball was thrown his way, he was always right there and in position to make a play. His one sore spot was his aptness for penalties, but that can be corrected with good coaching.
Klare's tenure in Columbus was just fine. He didn't do anything to jump off the page as an elite player for the Buckeyes, but he has the potential to be a very good pro in the NFL.
The final three NFL-caliber players for the Buckeyes are Caden Curry, Ethan Onianwa, and CJ Donaldson. Whether these players get drafted or they sign on as undrafted free agents, they will have an opportunity to make a roster.
The Buckeyes are losing a lot of top-NFL talent in the draft next year, and whoever grabs them will immediately add players that will just make their roster better.