The Ohio Buckeyes should be well represented in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft
Despite a disappointing end to the season, at least by their own standards, the Ohio State Buckeyes were once again one of the most talented rosters in college football in 2023.
In the upcoming NFL Draft, the Buckeyes be one of the most well-represented programs in the first round alongside other powers such as Alabama, and the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs.
On Monday, CBS Sports released their latest mock draft, with four Buckeyes being selected in Round 1 - good for the second most behind the Crimson Tide.
Quarterback C.J Stroud, of course, was the first Buckeye selected with the No. 4 overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts.
Since Andrew Luck's retirement, the Colts have had little success turning to QBs nearing the end of their careers, and it's safe to assume that owner Jim Irsay will be looking for the team's next face of the franchise. C.J. Stroud has flown under the national-media radar all season, but some NFL teams will tell you he'll be in the running for QB1, and his performance in the College Football Playoff semifinal game vs. Georgia showed that he can beat you with his arm and his legs.
And not far behind Stroud in this particular mock draft was his former blindside protector, Paris Johnson, who CBS has going No. 11 to the Tennessee Titans.
Paris Johnson, who played left tackle for the Buckeyes this season, also has experience on the interior; either way, he is a Day 1 starter.
Johnson started 23 consecutive games for the Buckeyes in 2021 and 2022, and played a key role in the team's explosive offensive units over the last two seasons.
Another player that played a big factor in that offense, at least in 2021, was wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who CBS has heading to the Seattle Seahawks to team up with Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf and Geno Smith with the No. 20 overall pick.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba barely saw the field during the 2022 season because of injuries, but he's still one of the top wideouts in the class. And with Geno Smith about to get paid, the Seahawks might as well get him some more weapons.
Smith-Njigba exploded onto the scene in 2021 with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns, before missing the majority of 2022 with and injury.
Rounding out the selections for the Buckeyes for this mock, was right tackle Dawan Jones, who is projected to land in Jacksonville with quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 24 overall pick.
We'll see if Dawand Jones ultimately finds his way into the first round, but it's hard to overlook just how dominant he was in one day of practice at the Senior Bowl. Yes, his footwork needs some fine-tuning, but his huge frame, long arms and enormous wingspan more than make up for what he lacks in quickness. He's block-out-the-sun big, even when standing next to his offensive linemates.season because of injuries, but he's still one of the top wideouts in the class. And with Geno Smith about to get paid, the Seahawks might as well get him some more weapons.
Jones is currently rated by CBS as the No. 7 overall tackle prospect in the class.
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