Ohio State could have anywhere between four and seven first round draft picks when the NFL Draft hits in April–they have a whopping 14 players headed to the NFL Combine in two weeks–and there's no shortage of possibilities when it comes to where all these former Buckeyes could land in "The League."
It's expected that Joey Bosa is a Top 3 pick overall, but beyond that, the names you've come to know and love are all over the mock draft boards, sliding up and down based on position and the needs of the teams therein. One player that continues to intrigue analysts all over the NFL is running back Ezekiel Elliott, and two NFL Draft experts talked about Zeke, their top prospect in the backfield, and where he would best fit at the next level.
"Ezekiel Elliott is my number one guy," NFL.com's Bucky Brooks said in the video included in the link above. "He can do a little bit of everything that you look for, he can run inside and outside, can catch the ball out of the backfield, is also a stout pass-protector. He is a pro-style running back, a guy that can play from day one. He's going to have a lot of success in this league."
Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com says that Elliott is a potential Top 15 pick and despite not selecting in the Top 15, he says it's the Indianapolis Colts that make the most sense for the Missouri-native.
"It didn't work out with Trent Richardson. Don't let that bother you. You get a running back like this in your system with Andrew Luck, all the things he can do, it would be scary."
Brooks may agree that Elliott's versatility makes him the best of the draft-ready tailbacks, but he thinks it's another AFC South team that fits his unique blend of talent as a runner and a pass-catcher.
"(Houston) could be a nice fit for Ezekiel Elliott. ... a guy who can run, catch and also play with power. He'd also be a nice, solid fit in pass protection. Bill O'Brien needs a bell cow running back for them to go to the next level."
Although the NFL has been moving away from using high draft picks on running backs (only two, both last year, have been selected in the first round in the last three NFL Drafts), but Elliott's undeniable talent and productivity makes him a hot target and a worthwhile pick for any number of NFL teams.
