Where are the best landing spots for the Buckeyes who are not going to be selected in the first round?
As the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday Night, the conversation will start with the first-round draft picks that the Ohio State Buckeyes are going to have, and rightfully so. There is a very realistic chance that they match a record set by the 1967 Michigan State Spartans with four players selected in the first 10 picks of the draft. If that happens, that is awesome.
But the story will not stop there. There will be several other Buckeyes who will hear their names called late on Thursday Night, Friday night, or Saturday. Here are the best fits for each of the non-night one Buckeyes.
Tight End Max Klare - Pick 77, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ohio State fans hardly got the Max Klare experience in 2025. Klare was a star at Purdue in his first four years there. At his best, he was around 700 yards receiving and 4 touchdowns for the Boilermakers. However, when he transferred to Ohio State, he became the sixth or seventh option on the Buckeyes offense, and his production reflected that. He finished the year with 43 catches for 448 yards and just two touchdowns.
Heading into the draft, the real Klare story comes from his days at Purdue and its a good one. He has the potential to be a very good modern day tight end in today's NFL. He is slated to be a pick between 70-85 and in that range, the team that jumps off the page for me is the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. Tampa is going to look to be replacing one of their stud tight ends in the years to come and we all know quarterback Baker Mayfield loves a good tight end. This feels like a match made in Heaven.
Cornerback Davison Igbinosun - Pick 84, Green Bay Packers
Igbinosun is tailor made to be an NFL cornerback and the Packers need a ton of help on defense. There is a really good contingent of teams that will be picking in the range of 70-85 that Igbinosun would make an immediate impact on. The best of that bunch is the Packers.
Green Bay is desperate for a good defense and a lockdown cornerback. They could get great value here by selecting Igbinosun and hoping that he realizes his largest potential.
Tight End Will Kacmarek - Pick 205, Detroit Lions
Whoever drafts Will Kacmarek in the sixth or seventh round is getting a legitimate dude at the tight end position. Kacamarek doesn't have the pure play making ability that some of the top talents have. But, what he does possess is a "get it done" attitude. Need a first down on third and five? He'll get it. Need a one on one block on a defensive end? Sure. Need a duo block that climbs to a linebacker? Yep, he's got it.
Not to mention that he would be a player on three of the five special teams groups. He will be awesome and honestly, a carbon copy of Detroit head coach Dan Campbell. A perfect sixth round pick for Jared Goff's Detroit Lions.
Defensive End Caden Curry - Pick 188, Seattle Seahawks
Caden Curry is everything that you would want from a football player. He was an amazing Ohio State Buckeye and was truly one of the fan favorites in his time. Last year, he led Ohio State with 11 sacks on the year.
Wherever he lands in the NFL, he is going to make a positive impact on any team, and there is no better one than the Super Bowl Champions.
Safety Lorenzo Styles Jr - Pick 248, Cleveland Browns
Styles is going to be draft day three steal of the weekend. It was told to me that Styles' speed is undeniable and he can do so much of it. No one is drafting Styles to be a three down safety right away. What they are drafting him for is to return kicks, chase down punts, tackle kick returners and become an ace in the special teams game. One of Cleveland's biggest sore spots last season was their special teams and Styles could come in and change that immediatley.
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