Another NFL draft is in the books, and it was once again an infomercial for the Ohio State football program. The Buckeyes had four guys selected among the top 11 picks in the 2026 NFL draft, and a total of 11 players taken, both leading the way.
But in the world of the NFL and big-time college football, it’s never too early to look ahead to the next year, especially at a place like Ohio State, where NFL widgets head down the assembly line like your neighborhood Amazon fulfillment center. After all, not many programs can compare to the success of putting players in the League like the one on the banks of the Olentangy.
We thought we’d take a look at next year’s potential NFL draft class, and it sure looks like it could have another Scarlet and Gray hue to it. We are breaking this out in a few categories — those that are locks to go early in the draft, those that will be eligible and will likely be drafted, those that might need solid years to make an impression, and some rising juniors or redshirt sophomores that could have early draft decisions to make.
That being said, let’s dive right in at how things look for Ohio State in the 2027 NFL draft that is all set to take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C
Ohio State 2027 NFL draft early pick probable locks
| Player | Position | Year |
| Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver | Junior |
| Julian Sayin | Quarterback | Redshirt Sophomore |
| Kenyatta Jackson Jr. | Defensive End | Senior |
Jeremiah Smith is most likely going to be the No. 1 player on the draft board for a lot of teams, and if Julian Sayin has the type of year we all think, he, too, should be a first-rounder. Both will only be three years removed from high school and will still have eligibility left, but it would be a shock for either one of them to come back to college. With a productive year, Jackson could find himself in the first round, but at the least, he should be an early round pick.
2027 NFL draft Ohio State players with potential decisions to make
| Player | Position | Year |
| Jaylen McClain | Safety | Junior |
| Eddrick Houston | Defensive Tackle | Junior |
| Payton Pierce | Linebacker | Junior |
| Ian Moore | Offensive Line | Junior |
| Leroy Roker III | Safety | Junior |
| Garret Stover | Linebacker | Junior |
We aren’t including Sayin and Smith here because, while both are technically underclassmen, it’s hard to imagine either making a decision to return to Columbus. All of these guys might need some pretty big years to be on the NFL’s radar, but we’ve seen it happen before. Dwayne Haskins and Malik Hooker are two examples of guys who had breakout years and left early after starting just one season.
All of these guys are in the running to get playing time, and if they start and have great years, there will be decisions to make. McClain, Houston, and Pierce appear to be the most likely starters who could break out and improve their NFL draft stock significantly. Others will have to surprise and develop into significant contributors, but never say never.
2027 NFL draft Ohio State seniors who could break out
| Player | Position |
| Beau Atkinson | Defensive End |
| James Smith | Defensive Tackle |
| Qua Russaw | Defensive End |
| Christian Alliegro | Linebacker |
| Earl Little Jr. | Safety |
| Terry Moore | Safety |
| Cam Calhoun | Cornerback |
| Will Smith Jr. | Defensive Tackle |
| John Walker | Defensive Tackle |
| Brandon Inniss | Wide Receiver |
| Devin McCuin | Wide Receiver |
| Luke Montgomery | Offensive Line |
| Carson Hinzman | Center |
| Austin Siereveld | Offensive Line |
| Phillip Daniels | Offensive Line |
| Kyle Parker | Wide Receiver |
| Ja’Kobi Jackson | Running Back |
| Joshua Padilla | Offensive Line |
| Hunter Welcing | Tight End |
| Bennett Christian | Tight End |
| Mason Williams | Tight End |
| Joe McGuire | Punter |
Obviously, not all of these guys will grab the spotlight and be starters, and that will hurt their chances. However, all of them are in competitions to be a part of the rotation, and if they win a significant role, there is an ability to make a splash with NFL scouts and executives. You can take it to the bank that several of these seniors will be a part of all the fun in D.C.
Long story short — it sure looks like it will be another banner year with quite the NFL haul for Ohio State players again next year. And we’ll be here for it all.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State football potential 2027 NFL draft class: A very early look