Browns general manager Andrew Berry talks Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson

Ohio State is widely expected to have two first-round picks in wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. They got some high praise from Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry ahead of the NFL Combine.

Axelrod noted the success Wilson and Olave had for the Buckeyes during their careers. The two became a potent one-two punch at wide receiver for Justin Fields and CJ Stroud, and their draft stock reflects it. ESPN’s Mel Kiper projects both players to go in the first round this year.

Berry followed their careers and shouted them out in his pre-combine press conference.

“It’s always good to see Buckeyes playing a high level and producing well,” Berry said, via WKYC’s Ben Axelrod. “We obviously have a lot of pride with our college out in Columbus.”

In Kiper’s latest mock draft, he has Cleveland selecting a wide receiver — but not one of the Ohio State players. Instead, Kiper projects the Browns to take former USC star Drake London at No. 9 overall. Wilson goes to the New Orleans Saints at No. 14 and Olave heads to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 23 overall in Kiper’s Mock Draft 2.0.

In 2021, Wilson and Olave combined for 135 receptions, 1,994 yards and 25 touchdowns for Ohio State as part of a high-powered offense. They were big reasons why the Buckeyes had the No. 3 passing offense in the country this past season.

Mel Kiper explains why New Orleans is perfect fit for Garrett Wilson in updated mock draft

ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper released his second mock draft on Tuesday morning. Kiper included some trades within the first round, leading to some surprises. Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson went 14th overall in Kiper’s mock draft to the New Orleans Saints.

Not only did the Saints select Wilson, but they traded up to get him in Kiper’s projected draft. He is the second receiver off of the board, and to Kiper, he makes a lot of sense for the Saints in the first round.

“There are many questions around the post-Sean Payton era for the Saints, but it’s clear that the team has to add more weapons around whomever plays quarterback in 2022,” Kiper said. “Michael Thomas should be back after missing all of last season, and he could use a wideout to take some pressure off him. Wilson has the versatility to play in the slot or outside, and he can pile on yards after the catch. He had 113 catches and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons.”