Ohio State Buckeyes are loaded with 2020 NFL Draft prospects

The Alabama Crimson Tide will be injecting the NFL with the most talent in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the Ohio State Buckeyes won’t be far behind. Ryan Day has an absolutely loaded roster, which is littered with NFL talent. Last month, I wrote an article – 2020 NFL Draft: Alabama players will own draft night – predicting as many as 19 players from Alabama could be selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Could the Ohio State draft prospects give them a run for their money? 

While Ohio State might not have as many Day 1 and Day 2 prospects as Alabama, they have a chance to push them in terms of the overall number of players selected from one school in the 2020 NFL Draft. Below, you can view my current draft board for the Ohio State prospects. 

Early indications are that Wyatt Davis, Thayer Munford, Baron Browning, and Tuf Borland are likely to return to Columbus for their senior seasons, so that will create a substantial subtraction in terms of overall players selected from Ohio State. 

With the NFL regular season ending, chatter regarding 2020 NFL Draft prospects will quickly pick up. Get to know who they are and who may be able to help your favorite team next season and beyond with our draft news and analysis.

Alabama should have 6-7 players selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. No school will be able to match that firepower, but second place should go to the Buckeyes. How many players from Ohio State are likely to hear their names called in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft? For me, the answer is three.

Chase Young – EDGE

Chase Young is the consensus best overall player in the 2020 NFL Draft. Recently, he stated that his plan was to potentially go back to school, but I suspect there is zero chance that will happen. To say Young has been marvelous in 2019 would be the understatement of the decade. In the 11 games Young played this season, he has accounted for 16.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles. Recently, ESPN’s Todd McShay said he has Young ranked as a better prospect than both of the Bosa brothers, who were also Ohio State standouts.

Young is a powerful and physical presence, who sets the edge with ease. While the first thing you notice is the jaw-dropping sack production, he is equally as good against the run. Whether his hand is in the dirt or is standing up, Young can explode off the edge and has off the chart speed-to-power conversion. Simply put, Young is the total package.

Give the clip below a quick view to see the speed and bend that Young brings to the table:

Chase Young showing off the speed and bend…mind you it’s against a slow-footed RT – but still, impressive none-the-less pic.twitter.com/APPGIvTLtN

— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) December 23, 2019

Trey Adams is a likely top-50 selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, yet he was no match for the speed of Young.

Chase Young vs. Trey Adams…have seen Young win with power, but he also does a good job keeping blockers off of him to win with speed around the corner.

Impressive, rounded skill set for an underclassman pic.twitter.com/Lp3ig3YHcw

— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) May 14, 2019

While it is almost a foregone conclusion that the Cincinnati Bengals will select Joe Burrow with the first pick of the draft, it is even more certain that whoever has the 2nd pick will select Young, if available. Right now, it seems like a race between the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, and New York Giants for Young’s services. 

Jeffrey Okudah – Cornerback

Jeffrey Okudah is the best defensive back in the 2020 NFL Draft, and it really isn’t close. The criticism on Okudah entering the 2019 season was his lack of ball skills. However, he silenced those critics quickly. Okudah has three interceptions and seven passes defended this season, which are strong numbers considering that most opposing teams try to avoid throwing his way at all costs. He has some of the quickest and smoothest feet I have ever seen. While he excels in man coverage, he has familiarity playing in zone coverage as well. The combination of his technique, football intelligence, speed, and athleticism make Okudah a potential game-changing player at the next level.

Jeff Okudah (@jokudah) is such a special corner. Watch how he reads and squeezes Ronnie Bell’s route in the first play, then dislodge the ball from Nico Collins on the second play. Continues to prove why he’s one of the best in CFB.#WNSFilm pic.twitter.com/PM3r2SNQNh

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 2, 2019

Okudah is a special talent. In Ohio State’s showdown with conference rival Michigan, Okudah showed the traits that have him billed as a shutdown cornerback. Take a look at the clip below and watch Okudah’s ability to read the play and contest the pass. 

Jeff Okudah (@jokudah) is such a special corner. Watch how he reads and squeezes Ronnie Bell’s route in the first play, then dislodge the ball from Nico Collins on the second play. Continues to prove why he’s one of the best in CFB.#WNSFilm pic.twitter.com/PM3r2SNQNh

— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 2, 2019

Okudah is a sure-fire first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. With teams like the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Jacksonville Jaguars having a need for a cornerback, I see no way a player the caliber of Okudah won’t be a top-10 selection.

Shaun Wade – Cornerback

Toward the back half of round one in the upcoming draft, teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers would be ideal landing spots for the versatile Shaun Wade. Wade does most of his damage in the slot, yet he is a versatile chess piece in the mold of Steelers’ All-Pro Minkah Fitzpatrick. Like Okudah, Wade excels in either man or zone coverage, who also is an enforcer against the run. His acceleration, quickness, awareness, and play recognition are what make him a bonafide first-round talent. 

Wade is a popular player in the scouting community, as many see him as the type of player that NFL defenses need in a pass-happy NFL. 

First INT of the season for #OhioState CB Shaun Wade. His NFL Draft arrow continues to point up.

Don’t be surprised when OSU has 3 CBs drafted top-40 in April. pic.twitter.com/n07Ffet9PR

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 16, 2019

When the dust settles, and the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is in the books, Young, Okudah, and Wade will be first-round Ohio State draft prospects. Cornerback Arnette and running back Dobbins will be players that have a chance to go late in round-one; however, it is likely their names will be called on the beginning of Day 2. To top it off, they already have a Top 5 prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft in quarterback and Heisman Trophy finalist Justin Fields. Ohio State is a major pipeline for NFL talent, and the 2020 NFL Draft will be no exception.

On Sunday morning, we published our latest mock draft. Be sure to check it out as we have six quarterbacks going in the first round, with three in the first nine picks.