As you’re probably well-aware, Ohio State had a historic first night at the 2016 NFL Draft on Thursday. The Buckeyes had three players selected in the Top 10 — the first time that has ever happened in Ohio State history — and they also had five first-round picks, which tied a school record.
Things started with defensive end Joey Bosa and running back Ezekiel Elliott going back-to-back; Bosa to the San Diego Chargers as the third overall pick, Elliott to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 4. The third Ohio State player selected was Eli Apple, who went 10th overall to the New York Giants.
The Buckeyes’ lone Draft invitee not from the 2013 recruiting class, offensive tackle Taylor Decker, was the fourth Ohio State player selected as he went 16th overall to the Detroit Lions. Linebacker Darron Lee rounded out the Buckeyes’ evening, going No. 20 to the New York Jets.
“That’s what is expected from Ohio State,” Elliott told reporters in Chicago. “That’s why we all went to The Ohio State University, because we knew we were going to be prepared to play at the next level.”
Added Decker: “It’s just an amazing day for us and an amazing day for Ohio State fans everywhere.”
So, yes, it was a historic night for Urban Meyer’s program. But how exactly do these five players fit in at the next level with the teams that drafted them? Let’s take a look.
Joey Bosa — San Diego Chargers
Early in the NFL Draft process there was some discussion that Bosa could be the No. 1 overall selection. However, as things got closer to draft night and it was assured quarterbacks would be going at the top of the draft, Bosa’s name began to circle as one who could fall to the bottom of the Top 10. That’s why it was somewhat surprising to see him be the first non-quarterback off the board, especially when most reports seemed to tie the Chargers to an offensive tackle — Ronnie Stanley or Laremy Tunsil — or even Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
But the Chargers went with Bosa and were reportedly committed to taking him for quite some time. The very mellow Bosa will fit in just fine out in laid-back California, but a few people wonder how he will fit on the football field. San Diego runs a 3-4 defense and Bosa is more of a prototypical 4-3 defensive end. Will he still play with his hand in the ground or will the Chargers move him to an outside linebacker spot in that 3-4? Maybe he’ll do both. He probably can because Bosa was as dominant as any defensive player in college football the last two years, so that’s probably why the Chargers picked him so high. He’s that good.
Ezekiel Elliott — Dallas Cowboys
It’s hard to argue there’s a better fit for a player and team than Elliott to the Cowboys. Dallas has arguably the best offensive line in pro football, a playmaking wide receiver in Dez Bryant and a top-tier quarterback in Tony Romo. Elliott was the clear-cut No. 1 running back in this class and can instantly be an every-down back in the Cowboys’ system.
Many argued fourth overall is way too high to draft a running back — a position which has been devalued a bit of late at the NFL level — but Elliott is such a well-rounded running back he may just be worth the reach. There’s superstar potential here for Elliott in Dallas.
Eli Apple — New York Giants
Most mock drafts had Apple projected to go near the end of the first round so when he was selected with one of the top-10 picks it was a little surprising, especially because most had Florida’s Vernon Hargreaves III and Houston’s William Jackson rated as higher cornerback prospects than Apple.
But the Giants clearly preferred Apple here and wanted to add a player who would help improve what was the NFL’s worst pass defense a year ago. Teams love Apple’s measurables — he is 6-foot-1, 199 pounds with long arms and fast — and it seems like his upside is quite high. The Giants are in a division with Bryant and DeSean Jackson at wide receiver, so the cornerback selection makes sense even if it may have been a little high for Apple to be selected.
Taylor Decker — Detroit Lions
Like Elliott, Decker fits in quite nicely in Detroit on a line which desperately needs help protecting quarterback Matthew Stafford. The Lions ranked 10th in the NFL last year allowing 44 sacks.
Decker played both right and left tackle at Ohio State with his final two seasons coming on the left side. He believes he can play left tackle at the NFL level, as well, but Decker can almost certainly come in and start from Day 1 as Detroit’s right tackle at minimum.
Darron Lee — New York Jets
Long known for one of the NFL’s top defenses, the Jets added one of the best defensive playmakers in the Draft by taking Lee with the 20th overall selection. He made big play after big play the last two seasons for Ohio State’s defense and the Jets are hoping that translates to the NFL level.
Lee is a smaller linebacker — listed at 6-1 and 232 pounds — but he’s extremely fast and is excellent out in space. The comparisons to Ryan Shazier have followed Lee for a few years now, and they continue to do so, and Shazier has had a pretty good start to his NFL career in Pittsburgh. If the Jets get that same production out of Lee, they’ll be quite happy.
