Four Ohio State players in CBS Sports’ very early 2021 NFL mock draft

CBS Sports has its very early 2021 NFL mock draft out and there are four Ohio State players appearing in the first round.

The NFL draft continues to garner more and more of a following, we continue to get earlier and earlier mock drafts from more and more outlets. ESPN’s Mel Kiper already has his way-too-early, but very reputable big board out there for the 2021 NFL Draft, and now we also have the CBS Sports mock draft for next April. Kiper had three Buckeyes projected in the first twenty-five players, and CBS Sports has gone even further, with four Ohio State players projected in the first round.

You can probably guess Justin Fields and feel pretty good about Shaun Wade like most every other mock draft, but included Josh Edwards’ draft projections also include Buckeye offensive linemen Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers.

Here’s what Edwards says about each of the four projected first-round talents.

Next … Shaun Wade

Six Ohio State players listed in Mel Kiper’s top five by position for 2021 NFL Draft

Six Ohio State players appear in Mel Kiper’s way-too-early top five by position group for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Mel Kiper is at it again. Or should we say he never really stopped? He took over your television or streaming device almost daily leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft, and now, he’s already prepping you for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Ohio State had the second-most players selected in the draft just a couple of weeks ago, and based on Kiper’s projections almost a year out from all of next year’s fun, it should be another good one — virtually or not.

That’s because according to Kiper, Ohio State has six players listed on his big board that are five of the best at their position groups. We’ve got the rundown of them all for you here.

Next … The quarterback position

Ohio State offensive linemen Wyatt Davis, Josh Myers to return next year

According to sources close to Lettermen Row, Wyatt Davis, Thayer Munford and Josh Myers all appear to be returning for their senior seasons.

It’s that time of the year when we start to hear rumblings about players that could leave early for the NFL. That might be put off a wee-bit because Ohio State is in the middle of a College Football Playoff run, but at some point we’ll begin to hear who is declaring and who isn’t for those players three years removed from high school.

On that note, the Buckeyes have already received good news on its offensive line — at least according to a report from Lettermen Row. You could even say that Christmas came a day late for offensive line coach Greg Studrawa. That’s because according to the online Ohio State fan site, both right guard Wyatt Davis and center Josh Myers are planning on returning for their senior seasons.

Both spoke to Lettermen Row and confirmed the intentions to forego the NFL Draft and come back for another year in Columbus.

“Yes, I did [submit draft feedback paperwork], but I want to put out there that I’m returning next year,” Davis told Lettermen Row. “I haven’t received [feedback] yet. I’m still waiting on it just to see it. But, yes sir, I’m coming back.”

The report also cites sources close to the program that also say left tackle Thayer Munford could also return, confirming that he did not even submit paperwork for feedback in preparation for the draft. The same boat that Josh Myers is in — having completely skipped the process with the intentions of coming back.

If true, the return of all three could be an important development for an offensive line that was one of the best in the country this year. The program could have lost all three and had to go through another rebuild year.

Myers took the starting center job and has excelled to the point of being one of the best in the country. Davis earned All-American honors, and Munford is the anchor on the left side that protects the blind-side of the right-handed Justin Fields.

Now, Davis could potentially change his mind if he gets a first round grade that would be enticing, but he appears to be well set in his decision to come back and be a big part of embarking on another run in 2020.

You can bank on other early departures on the team, but this is at least some very good news for the future of the Ohio State offense.