NFL Draft Whispers On Ohio State Players

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the San Francisco 49ers don’t even have a passing interest in taking Justin Fields with the No. 3 pick in the upcoming draft.

According to his sources, they are focused on either Alabama quarterback Mac Jones or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance rather than the former Buckeye signal caller.

As the #49ers close in on their decision of which QB to take at No. 3, sources say they are down to two prospects — and the belief is those two are #Bama QB Mac Jones and #NDSU QB Trey Lance. Several sources say the focus does appear to have shifted to those two.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 26, 2021

Obviously, Rapoport is not naming his sources, but in addition to the reporter speaking regularly to NFL teams, Jones and Lance are both represented by the same agency – CAA Sports.

If San Francisco does indeed go that direction, that could open the door to the New England Patriots selecting Fields.

NFL reporter Tom Pelissero says the team is calling around, exploring what it would take in order to trade up and make that happen.

Several teams have been making calls about getting into the top 10 of next week’s NFL Draft — including the #Patriots, who could have their eyes on Ohio State QB Justin Fields if he begins to slide. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/GjJazJXZQp

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 26, 2021

Currently, the Patriots own the No. 15 pick.

Pete Werner: First Rounder?

Senior Bowl executive director, former NFL scout, and ESPN draft analyst Jim Nagy says there are lot of teams that see former Buckeye linebacker Pete Werner as a possible first round pick, and they envision him going somewhere between pick No. 20 and No. 32.

“Would not surprise me one bit if Pete Werner ends up going on Thursday night,” he said on ESPN SportsCenter.

Urban Meyer Feeling Blue?

There’s an interesting note from First Coast News sports anchor Mia O’Brien, who observes that Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer has been frustrated with the pre-draft process because of COVID-19 limitations, making it even more likely that he leans toward taking former Buckeye players with whom he is clearly familiar having coached at Ohio State from 2012-18.

However, O’Brien’s mock draft has Jacksonville selecting Michigan players Kwity Paye (No. 25) and Chris Evans (No. 170) while only choosing one Buckeye, in defensive back Shaun Wade (No. 130).

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