Ohio State Football: Top 5 Prospects for 2022 NFL Draft

Among some of the top collegiate programs in the nation, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Ohio State football are programs that consistently build the most NFL-ready prospects.

In the 2021 NFL Draft, both Alabama and Ohio State had 10 players each get drafted. The Buckeyes had one player, quarterback Justin Fields, get drafted in the first round. Ohio State football had two players selected in the second round and three players in the third round.

This 2021 College Football season, the Buckeyes have several players that are potential early-round prospects for the 2022 NFL draft. Outside of the 2021 Draft, the Buckeyes had a player selected within the top five in the past three NFL Drafts.

While there isn’t a Buckeye projected to be a top-10 player in the 2022 draft, there are five players that the Buckeyes could see drafted within the first round.

Chris Olave – Wide Receiver

The Buckeyes have seen several of their wide receivers become high-caliber playmakers in the NFL. The receiver to be selected within the first two rounds was Curtis Samuel with the 40th pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. This year, the Buckeyes have two elite-caliber receivers worthy of first-round discussions.

Senior receiver Chris Olave returns as one of the best route runners in the sport of College Football. He is an electric and elusive runner that can separate himself from the defensive back. In the 2019 College Football season, Olave caught 48 receptions for 840 yards and 12 touchdowns as he was named third-team All-Big Ten.

This past season, Olave caught 26 receptions for 389 yards and four touchdowns as he was named first-team All-Big Ten.

He is considered the 14th top overall prospect by Sporting News for the 2022 Draft. With the need for more playmakers in the passing game, Olave could see his Draft stock rise if he has a stellar season.