ESPN's Field Yates is out with his latest mock draft and it is very interesting from an Ohio State perspective. The NFL Draft analyst has four Buckeyes going off the board within the first six picks, and has all of them going in succession.
Yates also has defensive tackle Kayden McDonald pegged for the early part of the second round (No. 36 overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Here is what Yates wrote about all of the players from Ohio State in his two-round mock:
Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State
After Arizona released Kyler Murray, its offseason has signaled that drafting a quarterback is a logical outcome. But the Cardinals are not going to reach for one here. Like the Jets, the Cardinals can add to their recent front-seven investments, which include edge rusher Josh Sweat from last free agency.
Reese is a unique defensive player in this class, playing a hybrid position at Ohio State as an off-ball linebacker and pass rusher. He has massive length at 6-foot-4, explosive athletic traits and major upside if the Cardinals keep him at edge rusher. Reese said at the combine that he hasn't "scratched the surface" as a pass rusher. He generated 19 pressures on a mere 97 pass-rush reps in 2025.
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Titans don't have a glaring need at pass rush after trading for Jermaine Johnson and signing John Franklin-Myers. But new coach Robert Saleh shouldn't mind more help at linebacker behind Johnson, Franklin-Myers and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
Styles has put together about as good of a final season and predraft process as you could ask for. He dominated on the field in 2025, finishing with the third-highest tackle percentage in the FBS (97.5%). Then at the combine, he posted the highest vertical jump by an off-ball linebacker since 2003 (43½ inches) and ran the fastest 40 at his position (4.46). Styles is instinctive and long at 6-5, with the versatility to cover or blitz as a former safety.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Downs has been a dominant force longer than any other defender in this class. The former Alabama and Ohio State All-American is a shapeshifter, deploying down in the box against the run or patrolling the back end with excellent coverage range.
The Giants made strides in their safety room over free agency, adding Jason Pinnock and Ar'Darius Washington as help alongside Jevon Holland. But in a league where successful defenses deploy three safeties with greater frequency, what doesn't appear as a major need for the Giants should not be dismissed. This would make Downs the highest safety drafted since Eric Berry in 2010.
Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
The Browns' most obvious needs are at wide receiver and offensive tackle -- despite plenty of new additions -- and I've been an advocate for considering Georgia's Monroe Freeling here to fill the left tackle need. But Tate is rated four spots higher than Freeling in my individual rankings, so let's go with the sure-handed wideout.
Tate averaged 17.2 yards per reception in 2025 and had just one drop. He's versatile and can stretch the field for new coach Todd Monken, posting 875 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. No Browns receiver had over 650 receiving yards or two touchdowns last season.
Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Under new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard, the Raiders are expected to a play 3-4 defense. There is no better option to anchor that scheme than McDonald, who is the best run stuffer in this class and added 3.0 sacks in 2025. He is rugged at the point of attack, using his powerful hands to control interior offensive linemen.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be held April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.