Every year, it seems like the NFL draft is an infomercial for the Ohio State football program. The Buckeyes lead all programs with the most first-round NFL draft picks all time and also have the most draft picks since 2000.
And, yeah, typing that never gets old.
Because of all their success in the NFL draft, we track all of the OSU players as they’re taken with our Ohio State football draft tracker so you can follow along.
This year, it’s looking like three Buckeyes could be off the board in the first round, with many more to follow in the rounds following that. Quarterback C.J. Stroud is a virtual lock to go very, very early despite the recent, unwarranted news and concerns that have been drummed up as of late, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is going to make a quarterback very happy, and Paris Johnson Jr. has a good chance of being the future anchor of an NFL team’s offensive line.
So follow along as we provide updates in real-time when every single Ohio State player is selected throughout the 2022 NFL draft.
First up… The First Round Selections
C.J. Stroud, Quarterback
Draft Details
Selected by the Houston Texans as the No. 2 selection
Our Scouting Report on C.J. Stroud
C.J. Stroud is one of the best quarterbacks to ever put on the scarlet and gray. He is the only two-time Heisman Finalist to play for the Buckeyes (Finalists weren’t a thing during Archie’s time), has uncanny accuracy and is about as humble and unassuming as a star can be, which bodes well for him being the face of a franchise.
The questions about his ability to read and process defenses that was built up in the media seems like drummed-up hogwash because that was a strength of his during his time at Ohio State. Stroud led all of the FBS in Total QBR his two seasons as a starter for the Buckeyes and can make every throw in the book with a big arm and ability to put the ball in tight windows.
He didn’t always show an ability to make plays with his legs when things broke down, but he was slippery and mobile inside the pocket to find throwing lanes when defenses came with pressure. Who knows, he might end up being the best player in this year’s draft.
Paris Johnson Jr., offensive tackle
Draft Details
Selected by the Arizona Cardinals as the No. 6 selection
Our Scouting Report on PARIS JOHNSON JR.
Paris Johnson Jr. came into the program as a 5-star prospect and didn’t disappoint. He played sparingly during his freshman season but was then the ultimate team player. Instead of only wanting to play tackle, Johnson Jr. slid down to guard and performed at a high level.
This past season, his junior year, was Johnson Jr.’s best yet. He was a consensus All-American who protected Stroud’s blind side. Viewed as the top tackle prospect in the draft, it should come as no surprise that Johnson Jr. was selected this early in the draft. He has the ability to anchor the Cardinals offensive line and protect Kyler Murray for a long time.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Wide Receiver
Draft Details
Selected by the Seattle Seahawks as the No. 20 selection
Our Scouting Report on Jaxon Smith-Njigba
After a record-setting Rose Bowl at the end of his sophomore season, hopes were high for Smith-Njigba. Many saw him as the best receiver in college football and a front-runner for the Heisman trophy. Unfortunately, the hamstring injury came in the opening game of the season against Notre Dame and fans were robbed of seeing his final season in the Scarlet and Gray.
Smith-Njigba was overshadowed slightly by two other guys you may have heard of before … Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Both are two of the best to ever play in Columbus. However, when all three last played together, it was Smith-Njigba who had arguably a better season than the two first-round draft picks.
