While star Ohio State defenders draw top-round buzz, one defensive end is quietly dominating tape, poised to become a draft steal with surprising sack numbers and versatility.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are projected to send several defense starters in the NFL in the first round of the draft.
Arvell Reese, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles are three of the Buckeyes defenders that are receiving serious buzz.
Reese is expected to be a top five pick in the draft, and could go as high as No. 2 to the New York Jets. The Jets are expected to pick between Reese and Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
While Reese is getting plenty of attention as the top pass-rusher coming out of Columbus, another defensive end could be one of the more underrated players in the upcoming draft.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports named Caden Curry as one of 20 players that he thinks are better than where most NFL scouts have the young defender.
"Pop on the tape of the star-laden Ohio State defense, and you will see a lot of top-level talent, guys who will go in the upper part of the first round," Prisco wrote. "But as I watched their tape, a guy who kept popping up consistently was defensive end Caden Curry.
"He actually led the team in sacks with 11, more than other stars like Arvell Reese or Sonny Styles, both projected as top-8 picks. Curry is short at 6-foot-2 ½ and weighs 260 pounds, so physically he isn't imposing. But he makes up for it with his power and his effort."
Curry has more than pass-rushing ability up his sleeve. Prisco likes that Curry can move around on the defensive line.
Curry move inside for some passing downs. While he might not be an elite pass-rusher in the league, Prisco argued that he could become a key rotational player on defense.
There is a reason why Reese and Styles are getting the favor of scouts before the draft. They have a high ceiling, and could become elite players at their positions.
With that being said, Curry isn't a player to sleep on. Defensive coordinators like players who can fill in at various places on a defense.
He could become an impact player for a team that needs depth at a couple of areas in the trenches.