Ohio State had 14 selections enter the NFL in the 2025 draft and had a few others sign UDFA deals after Saturday. While the Buckeyes fell just one pick short of tying a record alongside Georgia, it was still impressive how early and often the program was represented. 

The best news for the Buckeyes is where their best players landed. The draft results are important, but the biggest piece of the success pie is what happens on the field. Being in the right place is incredibly important.

The A to Z team assigned 2025 NFL Draft grades for all 32 classes. After looking at the grades for the 12 teams that selected a Buckeye or two, the consensus is clear: these teams performed better than the rest.

Here's a summary of the grades and landing spot for each team and Ohio State selection.

Arizona Cardinals: B-

• Round 4, pick 115: Cody Simon, LB, Ohio State
• Round 5, pick 174: Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State

Buffalo Bills: A-

• Round 5, pick 170: Jordan Hancock, CB, Ohio State

Carolina Panthers: A-

• Round 4, pick 122: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State

Cleveland Browns: B-

• Round 4, pick 122: Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State

Detroit Lions: B

• Round 1, pick 28: Tyleik Williams, DT, Ohio State

Indianapolis Colts: B

• Round 2, pick 45: JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State

Kansas City Chiefs: B+

• Round 1, pick 31: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

Los Angeles Rams: B+

• Round 5, pick 148: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State

Minnesota Vikings: B

• Round 1, pick 24: Donovan Jackson, OG, Ohio State

New England Patriots: A

• Round 2, pick 38: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Pittsburgh Steelers: C+

• Round 4, pick 123: Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio State
• Round 6, pick 185: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B+

• Round 1, pick 19: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The only below-average grade handed out to a team that added a Buckeye was the Steelers. Pittsburgh became the home to the two most clutch prospects in the class from the National Champions, Jack Sawyer and Will Howard. 

Here's the analysis of the Steelers' picks.

“Initially, I gave the Harmon selection a B after the team passed on Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart and especially Shedeur Sanders. However, after seeing Sanders, whom the Steelers had graded very high, fall all the way to the fifth round because some of the off field concerns that surrounded him, Pittsburgh nailed the pick. Not only will Harmon be a great player, but he's a great human and will be a leader for years to come.“ Rob Gregson’s grade: C+"

Overall, this pool of grades beat the mean. Teams that did not select a Buckeye fared worse overall, on average.

That's the type of representation that can continue to make Ohio State fans proud of their title-winning cast.

Final 2025 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams

Our latest A to Z Sports NFL newsletter from April 28, 2025.