2025 NFL Mock Draft: Finding the best landing spots for 15 different Ohio State Buckeyes
Back in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Georgia Bulldogs produced a record 15 draft picks taken in total. That number has a chance to be challenged this season by the Ohio State Buckeyes. Coming off of a National Championship season, the Buckeyes are going to have double-digit players taken in the draft. Ohio State benefited […]
Back in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Georgia Bulldogs produced a record 15 draft picks taken in total. That number has a chance to be challenged this season by the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Coming off of a National Championship season, the Buckeyes are going to have double-digit players taken in the draft. Ohio State benefited from a number of draft-eligible players returning for another season.
In a bit of a unique mock here, we find landing spots for 15 Buckeyes across all seven rounds of the draft that will be held in late April.
Brandon Little makes the first pick and Ian Valentino makes the second, then the picks alternate from there.
Round 1, Pick 20: WR Emeka Egbuka to the Denver Broncos
Egbuka cemented himself as a first-round wideout at Ohio State’s pro day with excellent athletic testing. Egbuka ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and leaped 38 inches in the vertical jump. Denver signed TE Evan Engram to elevate their offense, but they need more wide receiver talent to join veteran Courtland Sutton. Egbuka gives second-year QB Bo Nix a reliable wide receiver with a clear draft profile all the way around.
Round 1, Pick 29: OT Josh Simmons to the Washington Commanders
If not for suffering a torn ACL against Oregon, I think Josh Simmons would be the top tackle in this class. He might still be at the end of the day and deserves to be taken higher than this. However, I love the potential pairing of Laremy Tunsil and Simmons as bookend tackles for Jayden Daniels. The Commanders would boast one of the best offensive lines in football.
Round 2, Pick 35: OL Donovan Jackson to the Tennessee Titans
Titans fans may like to see this pick spent elsewhere, but the value with Jackson here is terrific. He showed in 2024 that he can play tackle at a high level against good competition after being shoved into the fire due to injury. Before that, Jackson was already going to be an early-round draft pick at guard. Tennessee signed Kevin Zietler but that isn’t a long-term fix at right guard. Jackson can likely play four spots on the offensive line if needed and pairing him with Bill Callahan is a good idea.
Round 2, Pick 39: DT Tyleik Williams to the Chicago Bears
A stellar run defender and occasional pass-rush threat, Tyleik Williams boasts one of the more pro-ready games in a loaded defensive tackle class. His upside isn't as impressive as Walter Nolen's or quicker athletes, but adding a 320-pounder with great field vision and block-shed ability is well worth a high second-round pick.
Round 2, Pick 41: RB TreVeyon Henderson to the Chicago Bears
This is a perfect fit on paper for the Chicago Bears and their offense under new head coach Ben Johnson. Henderson can be the Bears version of Jahmyr Gibbs that Johnson had with the Lions. There is no clear flaw in Henderson’s game. He is an explosive running back who can be a pass catcher and is strong as a pass blocker.
Round 2, Pick 63: RB Quinshon Judkins to the Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs general manager Brett Veach made it clear several years ago that he never wants Patrick Mahomes to be lacking playmakers. Adding a dynamic three-down back like Quinshon Judkins would boost a run game that has declined in recent years. Judkins didn't quite have the 2024 season he had hoped as he seemed to be pressing more than he did with Ole Miss, but the Chiefs' more downhill run game suits him better than what Chip Kelly used.
Round 3, Pick 69: EDGE J.T. Tuimoloau to the New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel demands high-IQ talent and his roster needs someone who can play right away. If the Patriots can't snag Abdul Carter in the first round, then waiting until Day 2 for one of the handful of experienced pass-rushers makes sense. J.T. Tuimoloau is a reliable run defender with an NFL body, but his Playoff explosion as a pass-rusher may have redefined his ceiling projections. Crafty and relentless, Tuimoloau should at least be a high-end complementary piece.
Round 3, Pick 81: DE Jack Sawyer to the Cincinnati Bengals
I could see Sawyer slipping a little bit here due to the fact he didn’t do any athletic testing throughout the draft process. All it takes is one team though and the Bengals are very much interested in Sawyer, who will meet with him first for private workouts. Sawyer can be the Sam Hubbard replacement for Sawyer and the play styles make it an easy fill-in.
Round 4 Pick 108: QB Will Howard to the Las Vegas Raiders
Seattle was a more attractive destination than Las Vegas was until they swapped Geno Smith for Sam Darnold and dumped DK Metcalf. I think Will Howard can be a decent starting NFL quarterback, given his leadership, accuracy on short and intermediate throws, and mobility. Reuniting him with Kelly behind Smith makes a lot of sense in terms of creating a timeline for Howard to push for the starting job over the next couple of years and also putting him somewhere he can play well.
Round 4, Pick 128: S Lathan Ransom to the Washington Commanders
Ransom was a part of the best safety duo in the country in 2024 with the Buckeyes. A hard-hitting safety who is best-working sideline to sideline chasing whoever has the ball. Ransom is capable in coverage, though it isn’t his strong point. The standout Buckeye tested well at Pro Day and could be a future Jeremy Chinn replacement in Washington.
Round 5, Pick 150: C Seth McLaughlin to the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have so many holes that it'll be nearly impossible for them to walk out of the draft feeling great about their roster. Aaron Brewer is a fine stopgap center for now, but Seth McLaughlin would be a significant upgrade in the passing game. Miami can afford for McLaughlin to fully recover from his torn Achilles in 2025 before he competes for the starting job in 2026.
Round 5, Pick 156: Denzel Burke to the Pittsburgh Steelers
Burke’s stock dropped in 2024 a bit on the way to a National Championship season for the Buckeyes. Burke struggled in man coverage at times and will need to be utilized in zone coverage in the NFL to have the best chance at success. A willing defender in the running game that doesn’t shy away from contact. The Steelers could use more depth on the boundary and Burke can provide that.
Round 6, Pick 186: Jordan Hancock to the New York Jets
Countless people thought Jordan Hancock would be the Buckeyes' next-great slot defender, but 2024 didn't work out that way. He's still a decent coverage option, but the playmaking and high-end athleticism isn't there. Instead, Hancock profiles as a hybrid slot safety and zone coverage option who helps on special teams.
Round 6, Pick 200: DT Ty Hamilton to the Cleveland Browns
Hamilton is a player that has kind of flown under the radar at Ohio State. The Pickerington, Ohio native put up 35 reps on the bench press at Ohio State, which would have led at the NFL Scouting Combine. A strong run defender who is explosive and twitchy off the snap. The Browns need interior depth, so why not go down 71 again?
Round 7, Pick 243: LB Cody Simon to the Baltimore Ravens
Simon waited his turn in Columbus and was a vital piece of their linebacker room his last two seasons. A very smart linebacker who can be on the field for three downs and has solid instincts. Simon could have the chance to be the backup MIKE for the Ravens if he was drafted there.
