Everyone knows Jeremiah Smith, but it's time to shed a light on another talented Buckeye receiver.
Who’s the first player that comes to mind when you think of Ohio State 2027 NFL Draft prospects? For most people, it’s Jeremiah Smith, Julian Sayin, or maybe even Kenyatta Jackson Jr. While all of these players are amazing and deserve credit, wide receiver Devin McCuin has flown under the radar. His elite explosiveness and IQ as a route runner make him a high-upside prospect that New Orleans Saints fans must know.
McCuin transferred to Ohio State this offseason after spending the previous three years at UTSA. He had a productive career with the Roadrunners, tallying 146 receptions for 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns. Now, he’s set to burst onto the national scene as the complementary receiver to Smith and the Buckeyes’ offense.
McCuin’s A-list trait is his exceptional burst. He explodes off the line of scrimmage and reaches his top speed quickly. From there, he’s a constant deep threat, with an estimated 4.35-second 40-yard dash, and has outstanding ball-tracking abilities that force a defense to commit a safety toward him.
This alone is impressive, but McCuin isn’t one-dimensional. He’s a high-IQ route runner who understands how to stem defenders and attack their leverage. Additionally, he dominates zone coverage and thrives at throttling down and finding soft spots.
After the catch, McCuin’s explosiveness is on display. He pairs the aforementioned speed and burst with extreme evasiveness that makes him difficult to tackle. He’s an offensive coordinator's dream, as they can scheme him into various screen plays and manufactured touches. All he needs is one cut for him to find green grass and turn a mediocre gain into a game-changing moment.
McCuin’s biggest question is his ability to separate against man coverage. He could in the AAC, but the Big 10 and the NFL are different beasts. He struggled with this in his limited exposure to power-four competition. As a result, showcasing his ability to scouts and proving that he can dominate higher competition is the key to establishing himself as a day-two draft pick.
Despite this, McCuin’s skill set should intrigue the Saints, as they have a talented but injury-prone receiver room. Chris Olave is a bona fide star when healthy, but he’s struggled to remain available throughout his career (worth mentioning that he played all 17 games last year). Additionally, 2026 eighth-overall pick Jordyn Tyson has already been placed on injured reserve for a hamstring injury. If these injuries persist, then the Saints must address the position next offseason.
