It’s here folks. Technically speaking, it’s the first real, live sporting event we can watch since all the coronavirus measures were put in place — shelving almost every area of normal life. It’s the 2020 NFL Draft, and as usual, there will be a very scarlet and gray hue to all the shenanigans.
So what should we be watching for? There are some clear storylines, but there are others, especially with the unique nature of this whole thing being done virtually. It’ll be a unique setting, but at least we know we won’t hear Philadelphia fans won’t boo whatever players go to the Eagle tonight.
But we digress.
Ohio State NFL draft eligible players and likely landing spots, final version 3.0 https://t.co/Pxp03DWb5e
— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) April 22, 2020
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Here are some things to watch for as the first round of the NFL draft kicks off at 8 PM Eastern tonight — all with an Ohio State slant.
- Chase Young is pretty locked into Washington. There are rumors that certain teams are trying to trade up and see if they can make a surprise run at him, but it’s highly unlikely. But what if? The whole draft goes off the rails if something happens there.
- Are you counting Joe Burrow in the Ohio State column? Seems many Ohio State fans are. But don’t dare try to tell LSU fans that. There have been many virtual Twitter wars over that very subject. He’s pretty much locked in at No. 1 right? Coming back to southern Ohio in fact.
- Will they, or won’t they? There’s a lot of smoke about the Detroit Lions trading out of the No. 3 spot. Since they are expected to take Jeff Okudah, what will happen then? To me, that’s the first domino that could alter the path of this draft, but we shall see.
- So this thing is being done virtually eh? How many communication nightmares are we going to have tonight? Something’s going to go bump in the night right? I’ll be surprised if this all goes off without a hitch here or there.
- Is anyone happier than Roger Goodell that this isn’t a live event? He won’t have nightmares of the entire venue booing him when he walks to the podium. Without fail.
- Can J.K. Dobbins sneak into the first round? He sure feels like a first-round talent, but not many mock drafts have him going off the board until round two. All it takes is for one team to fall in love and have a need. It bears watching.
- What about corner Damon Arnette? That too is unlikely. He’s going to make someone’s secondary very happy, but again — unlikely a team reaches and takes him in the first round.
- What Ohio State prospect will be drafted earlier than projected? My call is either wide receiver K.J. Hill or offensive lineman Jonah Jackson. They both improved their stock considerably during Senior Bowl workouts and interviews.
- Who falls? Anyone?
- Mark it down. Ohio State will be the team with the most first-round draft picks after Thursday night — breaking a tie with USC. Both have 81 total over the history of the draft, and the Trojans are very unlikely to keep up with OSU this year.
- Also, if the Buckeyes see one of their defensive players go off the board among the top five picks, it will mark the first time that one school has had a defensive player selected in the top five of three consecutive drafts (Nick Bosa went No. 3 in 2019 and Denzel Ward No. 4 in 2018). Credit to @NFL345 and a release from Ohio State for the research on that note.
- Overall, no school has produced more NFL Draft picks over the last 20 years then the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s total of 131 is 13 better than Alabama, which has 118. Who will have more picks this year? Will the gap close or widen?
- Also, In the era since the draft went to its current seven-round format in 1994, Ohio State has:
- The most first-round selections (43)
- The most overall selections (163)
- The most top-10 picks (15)
- The most defensive backs selected (39)
- Multiple top-10 picks on five different times (2019, 2016, 2006, 1997, 1996)
- Let’s get this party started! Enjoy the show.