Today’s Topic: Which Buckeyes Will Be Drafted On Day Two?
Day one of the 2019 NFL Draft went as expected for the Buckeyes, as Nick Bosa and Dwayne Haskins were the only two to hear their names called in the first round. Day two will feature rounds two and three and begins at 7:00 pm Friday night.
There had been chatter earlier in the day that Parris Campbell could possibly join the list of first rounders, and if he had, he would have given OSU more first-round draft picks than any other school in recorded human history.
Instead, the New England Patriots selected Arizona State wide receiver N’Keal Harry with the final pick, and now Campbell will wait until likely sometime Friday night to be drafted.
But even that is not a sure thing.
There are other wide receivers still out there who were considered first-round possibilities as well, like South Carolina’s Deebo Samuel, and Ole Miss’ DK Metcalf and AJ Brown. Campbell can do different things than those guys, and it will also come down to fit. Still, he should be selected at some point tonight, and most would project it to happen in the second round.
The same can be said for Terry McLaurin, who is the No. 27 player remaining in Mel Kiper’s “Best Available.”
Everybody knows that whoever drafts McLaurin will get a well-rounded contributor.
Here's a comparison for you. Terry McLaurin goes untouched in punt coverage drill. pic.twitter.com/tdhm1MU4VX
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) January 23, 2019
McLaurin’s overall lack of production may hold him back until the third round, however.
Defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones should also be selected Friday night. This has been a very deep defensive line draft, so sliding into the third round or beyond would not be a big surprise.
Before the Rose Bowl, I asked an NFL scout where he saw Jones going and he told me the second round, but that was before a somewhat disappointing NFL Combine and pro day.
If someone is looking for an active and disruptive three technique tonight, I’d be surprised if they can do better than Dre’Mont Jones. In fact, he’s Kiper’s top remaining player at that position. (And yes, I know what some of you think of Mel Kiper, Jr.)
For somebody looking for value and versatility who may not have a bunch of picks remaining, drafting Michael Jordan may give them four or five offensive linemen in one. We already know he can play center and guard, and would it really surprise anybody if he could play tackle?
As a guy who’s been starting from about his third spring practice as a true freshman, that has to mean something to NFL teams.
Those are the four Buckeyes most likely to be drafted tonight. Other guys certainly have some possibility, but a team will have to fall in love with them.
Kendall Sheffield’s speed and recovery are elite, but is his ball awareness good enough to get him selected on Friday?
This is a very deep running back draft, which could hurt Mike Weber. Kiper has him as the No. 12 running back remaining, behind names like Alabama’s Damien Harris, Stanford’s Bryce Love, and Florida Atlantic’s Devin Singletary.
As to the rest of Kiper’s board, Johnnie Dixon is the No. 39 receiver remaining; Isaiah Prince is the No. 12 offensive tackle remaining; and neither Demetrius Knox or Malcolm Pridgeon are in the top 24 guards remaining.
Never understood all the hype for MJ’s All-American status. Just didn’t see his performance in consistent snapping & blocking in the “2nd level.” Thought he performed much better at guard in prior years.