Ohio State football makes NFL Draft history in Mel Kiper Jr mock draft
· Yahoo Sports
It’s NFL Scouting Combine week, which means the mock drafts are flying out at an alarming rate. Mel Kiper Jr. dropped his latest projection, saying, “Here's my current thinking on how Round 1 could look based on what I'm hearing from execs, scouts and coaches in the league.” In this version, Ohio State would make history, as Kiper has four Buckeyes going in the first seven picks, the most ever in the first seven selections for one school, per ESPN Research.
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Kiper also has five Ohio State players going in the first round overall, so let’s break it down pick by pick and see where he has these Buckeyes landing.
No. 2 New York Jets – Caleb Downs, S
What Kiper Jr. says
“This would be the highest draft slot for a safety since Eric Turner went No. 2 in 1991. Downs is worthy, though. He reads the offense so well, and then he has quickness, physicality, and ball skills to make plays against both the run and the pass. He can truly impact a defense's ceiling from the back end, with six interceptions, 18 tackles for loss, and 22 run stops over his three college seasons. The Jets' defense didn't have a single INT in 2025, yes, you read that right, and only the Cowboys gave up more points at 29.6 per game. Plus, Andre Cisco is hitting free agency.”
What we say
Downs is one of the best safeties Ohio State has ever had and racked up a laundry list of awards this past season. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Big Ten Nagurski Woodson Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Tatum Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, and was a unanimous All-American. Turn on the tape, and it is easy to see why Ohio State had the best defense in the country. Downs was always in the right spot, which allowed defensive coordinator Matt Patricia to dial up exotic looks because of Downs’ versatility and football IQ. Going No. 2 overall would be wild for a safety, but he compares closely to Ravens star Kyle Hamilton, just a few inches shorter. He is a true difference maker with elite instincts.
No. 4 Tennessee Titans – Arvell Reese, LB
What Kiper Jr. says
“Reese's instincts and burst are all over the tape. I'm still ranking him as a linebacker at the moment, and he could help Tennessee there. But new coach Robert Saleh might very well move him to the edge, where he played the majority of the time in 2025. Although the Titans' 42 sacks tied for 12th most last season, 11 of them came from defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on the interior. The edge is a weakness. Reese could be a high-impact player in this unit no matter where he lines up.”
What we say
Reese announced he will participate in on-field drills this week in Indianapolis, which should only help his stock. He is a freak athlete. While his sack numbers dipped late in the season, that felt more like a product of scheme than performance. He has great size and speed and can beat tackles off the line with a relatively deep bag of pass rush moves. He projects primarily as an edge rusher, but he is athletic enough to drop in coverage and physical enough to hold up in the run game. That kind of versatility is hard to pass up in the top five.
No. 6 Cleveland Browns – Carnell Tate, WR
What Kiper Jr. says
“Like the Giants, the Browns need offensive line and receiver reinforcements. Unlike the Giants, the Browns have two first-round picks. So, although Miami lineman Francis Mauigoa is tempting here, Cleveland would likely take its pick of the entire WR class and kick the can down the order on the OL. Tate is at the top of the receiver list right now, with great hands and savvy route running. Cleveland wideouts combined for just four touchdowns last season, so after an 875-yard, nine TD season, Tate could step in as the top option for the Browns.”
What we say
Tate has a real shot to be the first receiver off the board in April, especially after Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson announced he will not participate in on-field testing at the combine. Tyson also played just 33 games across four college seasons. History shows teams get cautious when medical evaluations are not crystal clear, which could give Tate an extra bump.
Over his Ohio State career, Tate totaled 121 catches for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns. Pro Football Focus credited him with a zero percent drop rate in 2025. He is smooth, reliable, and polished, and he has every tool to become the next great Buckeye receiver thriving on Sundays.
No. 7 Washington Commanders – Sonny Styles, LB
What Kiper Jr. says
“This would be the fourth Ohio State player off the board, the most ever in the first seven picks for one school, per ESPN Research. Styles is getting a lot of love around the league right now, and he's going to be fun to watch at the combine if he works out. The former safety has real speed on a 6-foot-4, 243-pound frame.
With the Commanders' defense getting crushed for 6.0 yards per play last season, tied for third worst, and potentially losing 35-year-old free agent Bobby Wagner up the middle, this fit makes sense. But also keep an eye on Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. and the receiver class as a whole if the board falls this way.”
What we say
The last time an inside linebacker went top 10 was in 2019 when Devin White went fifth overall to Tampa Bay and Devin Bush went 10th overall to Pittsburgh. Top seven feels a little rich for Styles, but he checks every box you want in a modern inside backer. He rarely missed tackles at Ohio State, brings elite size at 6 foot 4, 240+ pounds, and is outstanding against the run. Top 15 would not surprise me at all. Top 10 might raise eyebrows, but teams covet safe, plug-and-play defenders who can start on day one, and Styles fits that mold.
No. 25 Chicago Bears – Kayden McDonald, DT
What Kiper says
“It's probably a little early for Texas A&M's Cashius Howell, Clemson's T.J. Parker, or Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas. The Bears obviously need more edge rush support, but the board just isn't lining up. But with Gervon Dexter Sr. signed for only one more season and Grady Jarrett turning 33 in April, it would make sense to pad the defensive tackle group. McDonald is actually the DT1 on my Big Board, and he has a nose for the football. He had 17 run stops in 2025. Having him on the interior would be huge for a Bears team that allowed 5.0 yards per carry last season, fourth worst.”
What we say
McDonald feels like another safe, high-floor prospect. He may not have three full years of dominant tape, but his 2025 season locked him in as a first-rounder. This spot near the end of Round 1 makes a lot of sense. He is strong against the run, disruptive at the point of attack, and athletic enough to offer some pass rush juice, finishing with three sacks for the Buckeyes this season. He might not be flashy, but he projects as a long-term starter in the middle of an NFL defense.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football sets NFL Draft record in latest Kiper Jr. mock