In his latest mock draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. projects five Ohio State players to go in the first round of the upcoming NFL Draft, which will be hosted in Pittsburgh from April 23-25.
Safety Caleb Downs was mocked by Kiper as the second overall pick in the draft by the New York Jets and the first Ohio State player off the board. According to Kiper, Downs would become the highest-drafted safety since Eric Turner was selected No. 2 by the Cleveland Browns in 1991. Downs was tied for Ohio State’s team lead with two interceptions and two forced fumbles, while adding 68 total tackles, and ultimately claimed the Jim Thorpe Award, which is given to the best defensive back in college football.
Two picks later, linebacker Arvell Reese is projected to land in Tennessee with the No. 4 overall pick to the Titans. Reese, who Kiper projects will likely shift to edge rusher in Nashville after Tennessee struggled to generate pressure last season, recorded 69 total tackles — second on the Buckeyes behind linebacker Sonny Styles (82) — along with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
With the No. 6 pick in the draft, Kiper had wide receiver Carnell Tate being selected by the Cleveland Browns. Lacking a clear No. 1 wide receiver, Kiper has the Browns weighing their options between wideout and offensive tackle, as Cleveland ultimately selects Tate, who has Ohio ties. During his junior season in 2025, Tate ranked second on Ohio State in nearly every major stat behind standout sophomore Jeremiah Smith, totaling 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
Immediately following Tate in the mock draft is Styles, who Kiper had slated to be taken No. 7 overall by the Washington Commanders. Styles began his career as a safety with Ohio State before changing positions ahead of the 2024 season. While his 6-4, 243-pound frame is drawing attention from multiple NFL teams, Styles was dominant at Ohio State in 2025, leading the team in tackles while adding 6.5 TFLs, three pass breakups, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception.
Rounding out the Buckeyes mocked by Kiper as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft was defensive tackle Kayden McDonald. Mocked to be taken No. 26 overall by the Chicago Bears, McDonald is listed as Kiper’s No. 1 defensive tackle in the draft class and had a productive season for Ohio State in his junior campaign. McDonald finished with 65 tackles, nine TFLs, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
If Kiper’s projection of five Buckeyes selected in the first round holds, Ohio State would tie for the third-most first-round picks from a single school in a draft, trailing only 2004 Miami (Fla.) and 2021 Alabama, which each had six.
