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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Chen

The Athletic projects three Ohio State Buckeyes to be selected in first round of 2023 NFL draft

Ohio State football is one of the most successful at getting their players to the next level and the 2023 NFL draft should not be any different.

Multiple Buckeyes expect their name to be called early and some of them should be off teams’ boards during the first round of the draft.

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The Athletic, like many other outlets, is constantly updating its mock drafts and just recently made its choices (subscription required). The Athletic is unique: It used its college football writers to make the selections based on their information.

Three Buckeyes were selected and you can find out below where each of them is projected to land along with my conclusion at the end.

No. 7 - Las Vegas Raiders select QB C.J. Stroud

Breakdown

It’s hard to understand why Will Levis would go ahead of Stroud in this scenario. The Buckeye was excellent over the last two years while the Wildcat quarterback was barely talked about as one of the best in the country. Just makes no sense to me why teams would have Levis ahead of Stroud on their draft boards.

No. 11 - Tennessee Titans select OT Paris Johnson Jr.

Breakdown

I can’t complain about this spot for the big left tackle. Johnson Jr. has been projected in this area, and the Titans would fill a need. The first tackle off the board is the correct move as well.

No. 22 - Baltimore Ravens select WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Breakdown

Great landing spot for Smith-Njigba as long as Lamar Jackson is still his quarterback. Yes, he didn’t put any tape out there from this past season, but all you have to do is look back at what he did as a sophomore. This would be a steal for the Ravens if they can get Smith-Njigba at this point in the draft.

Final thoughts

Breakdown

I’m still miffed about Levis going ahead of Stroud, just makes no sense to me at all. Those are great ranges for Johnson Jr. and Smith-Njigba to get picked. I am in the camp that Dawand Jones is going to squeeze himself into the back end of the first round. He dominated the Senior Bowl practice and even though Jones didn’t play in the game, created enough buzz to make an upward move.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

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