If current draft projections prove accurate, Ohio State will have multiple first-round picks and a record number of total selections in the 2025 NFL draft.
While none of Ohio State’s many draft prospects this year are projected as top-10 picks, seven different Buckeyes have drawn multiple first-round projections in mock drafts following the Super Bowl and leading up to next week’s NFL Scouting Combine. Early seven-round projections, meanwhile, have 15 or 16 Ohio State players being drafted – which would mean tying or breaking the current record of 15 selections in a seven-round NFL draft set by Georgia in 2022.
To get a glimpse of where draft analysts around the nation believe each of Ohio State’s draft prospects could end up with a little over two months to go until the 2025 NFL draft, which will be held April 24-26, we gathered 25 mock drafts from around the Internet and compiled where members of Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team are projected to land in each.
The full list of mock drafts, including two seven-round projections, four three-round projections, three two-round mocks and another 16 first-round mocks, can be found below. Players are listed in order of their current average draft projection in the mocks in which they are listed.
- Bleacher Report Scouting Department (1 round)
- CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso (1 round)
- CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards (1 round)
- CBS Sports’ Mike Renner (1 round)
- Draft Tek (7 rounds)
- DraftWire’s Jeff Risdon (2 rounds)
- ESPN’s Field Yates (1 round)
- ESPN’s Matt Miller (2 rounds)
- Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt (1 round)
- Fox Sports’ Rob Rang (1 round)
- NFL.com’s Chad Reuter (3 rounds)
- NFL.com’s Dan Parr (1 round)
- NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein (1 round)
- Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema (1 round)
- Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe (7 rounds)
- Pro Football Network’s Brentley Weissman (1 round)
- San Diego Union-Tribune’s Eddie Brown (2 rounds)
- SB Nation’s Joseph Acosta (1 round)
- Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer (1 round)
- Tankathon (3 rounds)
- The 33rd Team’s Ian Valentino (3 rounds)
- The 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs (1 round)
- The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner (3 rounds)
- The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler (1 round)
- USA TODAY’s Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (1 round)
Josh Simmons, OT
- Round 1, No. 11, San Francisco 49ers: 7 (Acosta, Baumgardner, Fowler, Parr, Miller, Rang, Yates)
- Round 1, No. 17, Cincinnati Bengals: Iyer
- Round 1, No. 18, Seattle Seahawks: 2 (Rolfe, Tankathon)
- Round 1, No. 20, Arizona Cardinals: Reuter
- Round 1, No. 23, Green Bay Packers: Valentino
- Round 1, No. 26, L.A. Rams: 6 (Brown, Crabbs, Edwards, Klatt, Middlehurst-Schwartz, Weissman)
- Round 1, No. 27, Baltimore Ravens: Trapasso
- Round 1, No. 29, Washington Commanders: Zierlein
- Round 1, No. 31, Kansas City Chiefs: 2 (B/R, Renner)
- Round 2, No. 34, New York Giants: Risdon
- Round 3, No. 65, New York Giants: Draft Tek
Average Draft Projection: 22.75
Even though his final season of college football was cut short by a knee injury, Simmons remains widely projected to be Ohio State’s top pick in the 2025 NFL draft. He’s projected to be a first-round pick in all but three of the mock drafts we included in this roundup, reflecting his value as a top left tackle prospect with prototypical physical traits for the position.
A popular projection in recent mocks has Simmons landing just outside the top 10 to the San Francisco 49ers, who could look to draft their successor for longtime star left tackle Trent Williams with the 11th overall pick. Should Simmons’ injury cause him to slide into the late first round, another popular projection has the San Diego native going to the Los Angeles Rams, who could also be in the market for a LT with current starter Alaric Jackson set to hit free agency.
Emeka Egbuka, WR
- Round 1, No. 12, Dallas Cowboys: Acosta
- Round 1, No. 16, Arizona Cardinals: Draft Tek
- Round 1, No. 20, Denver Broncos: 2 (Renner, Valentino)
- Round 1, No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers: 6 (Brown, B/R, Iyer, Middlehurst-Schwartz, Miller, Weissman)
- Round 1, No. 22, Los Angeles Chargers: 2 (Baumgardner, Tankathon)
- Round 1, No. 23, Green Bay Packers: Sikkema
- Round 1, No. 25, Houston Texans: 4 (Crabbs, Klatt, Parr, Zierlein)
- Round 1, No. 26, Los Angeles Rams: 2 (Risdon, Trapasso)
- Round 1, No. 27, Baltimore Ravens: Fowler
- Round 1, No. 27, Philadelphia Eagles: Reuter
- Round 1, No. 29, Washington Commanders: 2 (Edwards, Yates)
- Round 2, No. 33, Cleveland Browns: Rolfe
Average Draft Projection: 23.25
Egbuka is Ohio State’s most unanimously projected first-round pick, appearing in the first round of all but two of the 25 mock drafts included in this roundup. Assuming those projections prove true, Egbuka – Ohio State’s all-time receptions leader – will become the fifth Ohio State receiver in four years drafted in the first round.
Twenty-one of the 25 mock drafts in this roundup have Egbuka being drafted somewhere in the twenties. The most popular projection has Egbuka going to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have a big need for another playmaker to pair with George Pickens in their receiving corps. The second-most popular projection has Egbuka going to the Houston Texans, where he’d reunite with C.J. Stroud, the quarterback Egbuka caught 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns from in his first year as a starter in 2022.
Donovan Jackson, OL
- Round 1, No. 10, Chicago Bears: Risdon
- Round 1, No. 18, Seattle Seahawks: Fowler
- Round 1, No. 25, Houston Texans: 2 (Middlehurst-Schwartz, Trapasso)
- Round 1, No. 26, Los Angeles Rams: Valentino
- Round 1, No. 27, Baltimore Ravens: 3 (Klatt, Parr, Weissman)
- Round 1, No. 28, Detroit Lions: 2 (Crabbs, Edwards)
- Round 1, No. 31, Kansas City Chiefs: 3 (Baumgardner, Brown, Yates)
- Round 2, No. 36, Jacksonville Jaguars: Miller
- Round 2, No. 41, Chicago Bears: Reuter
- Round 2, No. 48, Miami Dolphins: 2 (Draft Tek, Tankathon)
- Round 2, No. 58, Houston Texans: Rolfe
Average Draft Projection: 31.4
Just over half of the mock drafts in this roundup (13 of 25) have Jackson going in the first round after he established himself as a legitimate offensive tackle prospect – in addition to being one of the draft’s top guards – with his dominant play as Ohio State’s left tackle in the College Football Playoff.
While a couple of mocks have Jackson going in the top 20, most of those mocks have Jackson going late in the first round. Multiple mock drafts have him going to his hometown Houston Texans, who have a major need for offensive line upgrades to better protect Stroud, while one of the most popular projections for Jackson has him going to the Kansas City Chiefs, who could shore up their weakness on the left side of the offensive line by pairing Jackson with Joe Thuney, who also has the versatility to play both guard and tackle.
Another popular projected landing spot for Jackson is the Baltimore Ravens, who could also be in the market for upgrades on the left side of the offensive line as their current left tackle and left guard (Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Mekari) are both set to become free agents.
Tyleik Williams, DT
- Round 1, No. 24, Minnesota Vikings: Draft Tek
- Round 1, No. 28, Detroit Lions: Rolfe
- Round 1, No. 29, Washington Commanders: Iyer
- Round 1, No. 30, Buffalo Bills: 3 (Acosta, Brown, Rang)
- Round 1, No. 31, Kansas City Chiefs: 2 (Crabbs, Zierlein)
- Round 1, No. 31, Minnesota Vikings: Trapasso
- Round 2, No. 34, New York Giants: Baumgardner
- Round 2, No. 41, Chicago Bears: Miller
- Round 2, No. 43, San Francisco 49ers: 2 (Reuter, Tankathon)
- Round 2, No. 55, Los Angeles Chargers: Risdon
- Round 2, No. 56, Buffalo Bills: Valentino
Average Draft Projection: 35.7
Williams is one of three Ohio State defensive linemen who sits on the fringe between being a first-round pick or a second-round pick, showing up in exactly 40% of first-round projections (10 of 25) in this roundup, with all of those projections coming within the final 10 picks of Round 1.
The three teams projected as the most likely candidates to draft Williams in the late first round are the Minnesota Vikings, the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jack Sawyer, DE
- Round 1, No. 17, Cincinnati Bengals: Valentino
- Round 1, No. 28, Detroit Lions: 2 (Iyer, Rang)
- Round 1, No. 30, Buffalo Bills: Trapasso
- Round 1, No. 32, Philadelphia Eagles: Tankathon
- Round 2, No. 38, New England Patriots: 2 (Miller, Risdon)
- Round 2, No. 43, San Francisco 49ers: 2 (Baumgardner, Brown)
- Round 2, No. 46, Atlanta Falcons: Rolfe
- Round 2, No. 53, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Reuter
- Round 2, No. 61, Washington Commanders: Draft Tek
Average Draft Projection: 38.1
Despite his spectacular CFP run, Sawyer is projected as a first-round pick in only 20% (5 of 25) of the mock drafts included in this roundup. Like Williams, though, he’s projected to be at least a second-round pick in all nine of the mock drafts that included at least two rounds.
The most popular projected first-round landing spot for Sawyer would send him north to the Detroit Lions, where he’d form an Ohio State/Michigan pairing with former Wolverine star Aidan Hutchinson on the edges of their defensive line.
JT Tuimoloau, DE
- Round 1, No. 27, Baltimore Ravens: Rang
- Round 1, No. 28, Detroit Lions: Middlehurst-Schwartz
- Round 1, No. 29, Washington Commanders: Reuter
- Round 2, No. 41, Chicago Bears: 2 (Baumgardner, Tankathon)
- Round 2, No. 49, Cincinnati Bengals: Miller
- Round 2, No. 53, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rolfe
- Round 2, No. 57, Carolina Panthers: Valentino
- Round 2, No. 58, Houston Texans: Draft Tek
- Round 2, No. 62, Buffalo Bills: Brown
- Round 2, No. 64, Kansas City Chiefs: Risdon
Average Draft Projection: 46.3
Like Sawyer, Tuimoloau shows up in a few first-round projections but the majority of mock drafts have him going in Round 2. He’s projected to be at least a second-round pick in every mock draft we surveyed that includes at least two rounds, though a majority of them have JT going in the second half of Round 2.
The lone team that shows up twice in Tuimoloau’s projections is the Chicago Bears, who would pair him with 2023 Pro Bowler Montez Sweat on the edge of their defense if they drafted JT with their second-round pick.
Ohio State defensive ends JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are both projected to be drafted in either the first or second round. (Photo: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Quinshon Judkins, RB
- Round 1, No. 21, Pittsburgh Steelers: Reuter
- Round 1, No. 24, Minnesota Vikings: Rang
- Round 2, No. 52, Pittsburgh Steelers: Miller
- Round 3, No. 67, Cleveland Browns: 2 (Rolfe, Valentino)
- Round 3, No. 72, Chicago Bears: Tankathon
- Round 3, No. 97, Minnesota Vikings: Baumgardner
- Round 4, No. 110, Carolina Panthers: Draft Tek
Average Draft Projection: 63.75
The seventh and final Buckeye currently drawing first-round draft projections is Judkins, but there’s far less consensus on whether he’ll be drafted in the first two rounds. While NFL.com’s Chad Reuter and Fox Sports’ Rob Rang each have Judkins going in Round 1, most of the multi-round mock drafts included in this roundup have Judkins falling to the third round or later.
Three teams show up in multiple mock drafts for Judkins: The Steelers, who could potentially be in the market for a new lead back with Najee Harris set to hit free agency; the Vikings, who could be looking for another running back even if they re-sign impending free agent Aaron Jones; and the Cleveland Browns, who could also be in the market for a new RB with Nick Chubb set to become a free agent after back-to-back season-ending injuries.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB
- Round 2, No. 37, Las Vegas Raiders: Brown
- Round 2, No. 64, Kansas City Chiefs: Miller
- Round 3, No. 65, New York Giants: Valentino
- Round 3, No. 73, Las Vegas Raiders: Tankathon
- Round 3, No. 75, Minnesota Vikings: Rolfe
- Round 3, No. 77, New England Patriots: Reuter
- Round 3, No. 94, Cleveland Browns: 2 (Baumgardner, Draft Tek)
Average Draft Projection: 72.375
Henderson is unanimously projected to be a Day 2 pick in this mock draft roundup. While he isn’t currently drawing any first-round projections, every mock that includes at least three rounds has Henderson going in either the second or third round.
The most optimistic projection from Eddie Brown of the San Diego Union-Tribune has Henderson reuniting with Chip Kelly by going to the Las Vegas Raiders, who need a big boost in the run game after finishing dead last in the NFL in rushing this past season. Like Judkins, the in-state Cleveland Browns are also seen as a potential landing spot for Henderson in multiple mock drafts as they potentially enter the market for a new lead running back.
Denzel Burke, CB
- Round 3, No. 68, Las Vegas Raiders: Valentino
- Round 3, No. 71, Los Angeles Chargers: Rolfe
- Round 3, No. 84, Pittsburgh Steelers: Reuter
- Round 3, No. 93, New Orleans Saints: Draft Tek
- Round 3, No. 99, San Francisco 49ers: Tankathon
Average Draft Projection: 83
The third round appears to be the sweet spot for Burke, who’s projected as a Round 3 pick in all but one of the mock drafts in this roundup that included at least three rounds. While Burke’s draft stock fell a bit in his senior season after he entered the year in the first-round pick conversation, it would come as a surprise if Burke doesn’t hear his name called on Day 2 after an excellent four-year career as a starting cornerback for the Buckeyes.
Will Howard, QB
- Round 3, No. 82, Seattle Seahawks: Draft Tek
- Round 3, No. 83, Pittsburgh Steelers: 2 (Baumgardner, Valentino)
- Round 3, No. 94, Cleveland Browns: Tankathon
- Round 4, No. 115, Miami Dolphins: Rolfe
Average Draft Projection: 91.4
Although he was the best quarterback in this year’s College Football Playoff, the current consensus among mock drafters is that he won’t be selected until the third or fourth round.
The most popular projected landing spot for Howard is Pittsburgh, which could be looking for a new quarterback in 2025 as it decides whether it will re-sign Russell Wilson or Justin Fields or move on from both. Tankathon’s projection has Howard staying in Ohio and heading northeast to Cleveland, where the Browns are also likely in the market for a new quarterback despite being financially tied to Deshaun Watson for two more years.
Lathan Ransom, S
- Round 3, No. 88, Jacksonville Jaguars: Rolfe
- Round 3, No. 92, New York Jets: Reuter
- Round 3, No. 96, Philadelphia Eagles: Valentino
- Round 4, No. 134, New York Giants: Draft Tek
Average Draft Projection: 102.5
Ransom is another Buckeye who’s projected to either be drafted late on Day 2 or early on Day 3 after an excellent fifth-year senior season at Ohio State. He’s projected to be a late third-round pick in exactly half of the mock drafts in this roundup that include at least three rounds.
Jordan Hancock, CB
- Round 4, No. 120, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rolfe
- Round 4, No. 139, San Francisco 49ers: Draft Tek
Average Draft Projection: 129.5
There’s a smaller sample size of projections to look at for the Buckeyes who aren’t expected to be drafted until Day 3, but both seven-round mock drafts we found for this roundup have Hancock going in the fourth round. Like Jackson, Hancock bolstered his draft stock in the second half of his senior season at Ohio State by demonstrating his versatility to play multiple positions, as he frequently lined up at safety in addition to his primary position of slot cornerback.
Seth McLaughlin, C
- Round 4, No. 137, Seattle Seahawks: Rolfe
- Round 5, No. 162, Philadelphia Eagles: Draft Tek
Average Draft Projection: 149.5
McLaughlin, whose opportunities to elevate his draft stock during the pre-draft process could be limited to team interviews as he recovers from the torn Achilles he suffered in November, is also projected as a Day 3 pick despite winning the Rimington Trophy as college football’s best center this past season. None of the six mock drafts in this roundup that include three-plus rounds have McLaughlin coming off the board on the first two days, but both seven-round mocks have him going in the first two rounds of Day 3.
Ty Hamilton, DT
- Round 3, No. 91, Baltimore Ravens: Baumgardner
- Round 5, No. 154, Cincinnati Bengals: Draft Tek
- Round 7, No. 244, Atlanta Falcons: Rolfe
Average Draft Projection: 163
Hamilton’s stock might be the most difficult to pinpoint among Ohio State’s projected draft choices. There’s been some buzz that he could be selected as early as the third round, as The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner projects in his mock draft, but the gaps between his projections in this roundup are larger than they are for any other Buckeye who shows up in multiple mock drafts.
Cody Simon, LB
- Round 6, No. 181, Cleveland Browns: Draft Tek
- Round 6, No. 211, Dallas Cowboys: Rolfe
Average Draft Projection: 196
The sixth round is the projected landing spot in both seven-round mock drafts for Simon, who likely got himself drafted with an All-Big Ten season as a captain of Ohio State’s No. 1 defense in 2024. The higher of those projections would have Simon staying in Ohio with the Browns, who could be looking for more linebacker depth with star LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah coming off of a neck injury.
Josh Fryar, OT
- Round 7, No. 235, Chicago Bears: Draft Tek
Draft Tek’s projection has Fryar being drafted in the seventh round while Pro Football Network’s Ben Rolfe does not project Fryar to be among the draft’s 257 picks. With 15 other players from Ohio State projected to be drafted above him, whether or not Fryar actually is drafted could determine whether Ohio State breaks Georgia’s record for the most players selected since the draft was reduced to seven rounds in 1994.
