Pete Werner starting to generate late first-round NFL draft buzz

According to a report from Jim Nagy, Ohio State linebacker Pete Werner is starting to generate some late first-round NFL draft buzz.

Those of us that follow Ohio State football know that the linebacking corps was a deep and talented one last season. We also know that Pete Werner has some very underrated skills when it comes to his fast-twitch ability. To prove that point, he ran a head-turning 40-yard dash time at the Buckeyes’ first pro-day (4.58).

Not only can Werner get through the trash and find tacklers, but he’s got the ability to run and cover in space, a skill set that is needed in today’s college and — most importantly — professional game.

And now, it appears as though NFL teams are beginning to take notice. According to draft analyst and Senior Bowl Executive Director Jim Nagy, there’s an emerging notion that Werner could sneak into the first round on Thursday night.

“Pete Werner may be the most underrated off-the-ball linebacker in this year’s class,” Nagy said on Sportscenter Sunday morning. “Extremely versatile — can cover, can stay on the field all three downs. Again, talking to teams, there are a lot of teams that have him in the late first round, so somewhere in that mid-20 to 32 range would not surprise me one bit if Pete Werner finds himself going on Thursday night.”

Well then. I can remember several times when former head coach Urban Meyer used to sing the praises of how underrated Werner was with his ability to run, and it sounds like many that are paid to evaluate these sorts of things are also beginning to agree.

Maybe Justin Fields won’t be the only Ohio State player taken in the first round this year after all.