Buckeyes littered throughout latest ESPN seven-round mock draft

COLUMBUS — It’s NFL Draft season, and although Ohio State had most of its top prospects return for another year of college football, the draft is still expected to be littered with Buckeyes alums.

ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller released his first seven-round mock draft on Wednesday, and seven Buckeyes are selected in his projection. Let’s dive into the picks and what they mean for each former Ohio State star.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr. — No. 5 overall to Los Angeles Chargers

The steam surrounding LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers overtaking Marvin Harrison Jr. as the top wide receiver in the draft continues to grow. But Miller is holding strong in maintaining that Harrison can’t be topped. Miller has four quarterbacks being selected with the first four picks — and then Harrison.

He believes Marvin Harrison Jr. is a can’t-miss prospect.

This is what Miller had to say about Harrison Jr. and the Chargers:

Besides the Bears’ selection of Caleb Williams at No. 1, this is the easiest pick in the draft. Harrison is No. 2 overall on my board and is on par with greats like A.J. Green and Larry Fitzgerald as a prospect. He is explosive, has expert-level route-running traits and displays body control few 6-foot-3 receivers possess. And in this spot, Harrison would have All-Pro potential right out of the gate thanks to quarterback Justin Herbert being on roster. Harrison caught 155 balls for 31 touchdowns in three years at Ohio State and is as polished as they come at wide receiver. With Keenan Allen traded and Mike Williams cut, the door is wide open for a WR1 to enter and dominate.

Matt Miller, ESPN

DT Mike Hall Jr. — No. 74 overall to Atlanta Falcons

Another Ohio State defensive lineman to the Falcons? That’s right. A year after selecting former Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison in the third round — and watching him have 33 tackles and three sacks as a rookie — the Falcons dip into the Ohio State defensive line again, according to Miller, for Hall. Mike Hall Jr. would add a pass-rusher that the Falcons desperately need.

Here’s what Miller said about his pick:

I wanted to find an earlier fit for Hall after witnessing his incredible pro day workout in Columbus, but things just fell this way. The Falcons could shape him under another undersized defensive tackle in Grady Jarrett.

Matt Miller, ESPN

TE Cade Stover — No. 127 overall to Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud took the Houston Texans from the bottom of the league in the year before he was drafted to a division title and playoff berth — and playoff win — is his rookie season. Miller has the Texans coming back to Ohio State to draft one of Stroud’s favorite weapons from his time with the Buckeyes. Miller has the Texans using their fourth-round pick on Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover, who was a star for the offense in each of the last two years, one of which coming with Stroud playing quarterback. A reunion for Stroud and Stover could mean massive things for the Texans offense moving forward.

Pair of Buckeyes land in fifth round

Ohio State could see a pair of alums hearing their names called in the fifth round, according to Miller.

At pick No. 152, the Washington Commanders select Tommy Eichenberg — at least that happens in Miller’s mock draft. Eichenberg was the Buckeyes leading tackler and two-time captain at linebacker.

And just a few picks later, with the No. 160 pick, Miller has the Buffalo Bills selecting long-time starting Buckeyes offensive guard Matt Jones, who was a five-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class.

Both would be candidates for ‘best sleeper selection’ in the fifth round.

Ohio State defenders selected in final two rounds

Miller has two former Ohio State defenders falling off the draft boards in the final two rounds, one in the sixth and another in the seventh. He has linebacker Steele Chambers coming off the draft board to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 220th pick in the draft, near the end of the sixth round.

Miller also believes former Buckeyes safety Josh Proctor will be drafted. He has Proctor going No. 223 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders at the beginning of the seventh round.

A pair of Buckeyes, according to Miller, didn’t get drafted in his seven-round mock draft. Those prospects: running back Miyan Williams and wide receiver Xavier Johnson. If this happens, both will certainly land contracts as undrafted free-agents.