The 2017 NFL Draft concluded over the weekend; everybody knows what that means.
It’s officially 2018 mock draft season.
Now, it’s obviously important to take any mock draft for next season with a grain of salt right now. There is so much that can change over the course of a year. It’s hardly an accurate representation of what will actually occur next April.
But it certainly gets you thinking. And with the way Ohio State continues to pump out NFL prospects, now is as good a time as any to look at one of the next potential first-rounders to come out of Columbus.
Jerome Baker burst onto the scene as a sophomore linebacker for the Buckeyes in 2016. An injury sidelined starter Dante Booker in Ohio State’s season-opener, so Baker was thrust into position and, by all accounts, the Cleveland native flourished. Baker finished second on the team with 83 tackles (9.5 for loss) with two interceptions. He showed a rare combination of speed, strength and athleticism from his outside linebacker position and at season’s end was one of the Buckeyes’ best defensive players.
Baker’s performance last season certainly captured the attention of some NFL folks. In a way-too-early mock draft for 2018, Bleacher Report analyst Matt Miller has Baker going in the first round — 17th overall — to the Tennessee Titans.
Additionally, CBS Sports NFL Draft Analyst Dane Brugler has Baker currently listed as his fourth-ranked linebacker prospect for 2018.
Here is Miller's breakdown of Baker:
A Ryan Shazier-like prospect at linebacker, Jerome Baker has excellent speed and agility playing off the ball. In the Titans scheme, he's an ideal inside linebacker. But to play that role, Baker may need to bulk up and add size to his 225-pound frame.
With Avery Williamson in place as the thumper in the team's 3-4 defense, Baker would be a plug-and-play pick at the other inside spot. The team did draft UCLA's Jayon Brown in the fifth round, but the number of Round 5 players who go on to lock down a starting job is pretty small. Baker would be an athletic upgrade over Brown and has more potential to have an impact against the run and in coverage.
It’s important to keep in mind Baker will only be a junior next season so he does currently have two years of eligibility remaining. But if he has another huge year in 2017 and is projected as a first-round pick, nobody could fault Baker for going pro early.
There’s no reason to think Baker won’t enjoy another successful season, either. New Ohio State linebackers coach Billy Davis said at the conclusion of spring ball Baker is bursting with potential.
“I think Bake has got huge upside,” Davis said. “I think he had a great year last year. He’s a very knowledgeable football player. He’s got a high football IQ. You tell him once and he gets it and he asks real deep questions about it.”
The comparisons to Shazier seem apt. Baker is currently listed at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds; Shazier was listed at 6-2, 230 at Ohio State. Both are unique athletes for the linebacker position. Shazier is one of the NFL’s fastest linebackers at the moment; Baker displayed rare speed last season on his interception returned for a touchdown at Oklahoma. And remember that play he made in Ohio State’s spring game two years ago?
Shazier played outside linebacker in Columbus but moved inside when he got to the NFL with the Steelers. Former Buckeyes great Darron Lee did the same at the next level. Baker is in the same mold.
“I’m very encouraged with where Jerome can go and his athleticism,” Davis said. “He’s got a lot of position versatility and I really think I can play him at any of the positions and he’d be fine.”
Plenty can happen between now and the end of next season and things can always change. But after a breakout sophomore season, Baker could be on the verge of exploding as a household name this fall.
And perhaps in the process, he will become the next Ohio State player to hear his name called as a first-round pick.
“It’s funny how it worked out but like Coach Meyer says it’s so many examples of guys who went down, guys came up, got their shot and took advantage of it,” Baker said earlier this spring. “I’m just happy that I was one of those guys.”
“This year, it’s definitely the same thing: Take advantage of the opportunity I’ve been given and make the best out of it.”
