Ohio State's best available players in NFL draft: Top prospects for Day 3
Only two Ohio State players were taken in the first two days of the draft, leaving several potential picks for the final day of the NFL draft on Saturday covering rounds 4-7.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was taken with the fourth overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. was taken by the Cleveland Browns, 30 miles from his hometown of Streetsboro, with the 54th overall pick in the second round on Friday.
It wasn't a major surprise that the Buckeyes had only two players taken in the first three rounds. Most of their draft-eligible underclassmen elected to return to Ohio State for the 2024 season. Harrison was a given to turn pro considering he was one of the top prospects in the draft. Hall elected to turn pro largely because he has a baby son for whom he wants to provide.
But Saturday figures to be the busiest day of the draft for Buckeyes.
2024 NFL draft:Pros and cons of Arizona picking Ohio State football WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ohio State's best available players in 2024 NFL draft
Cade Stover, tight end, fifth-year senior
Stover, a two-time captain, found a home at tight end in his final two years at Ohio State after spending time on the defensive line and at linebacker early in his career. He blossomed as a pass-catcher for the Buckeyes, the most prolific one in decades for Ohio State. Not since John Frank in 1983 had an OSU tight end caught more than Stover's 41 passes last year.
He is a willing blocker, but that part of his game isn't as polished, which is why he slipped to the draft's third day. But for a team seeking a weapon as a receiver and prepared to help Stover develop as a blocker, he could be a wise pick. He is likely a fourth-round selection.
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Tommy Eichenberg, linebacker, fifth-year senior
Eichenberg was the unquestioned leader on OSU's defense the last two years. Like Stover, he was a two-time captain who led by example. Eichenberg was an All-American in 2022 after making 110 tackles. Last year, he missed three games with a dislocated elbow but still had 82 tackles and was the Big Ten's Linebacker of the Year.
Eichenberg is best as a run defender. If he's going to be more than a two-down linebacker, he'll have to show improvement in pass coverage. He lacks blazing speed but compensates with his football knowledge and instincts.
Josh Proctor, safety, sixth-year senior
Proctor had a rollercoaster of a career at Ohio State. Tabbed as a budding star as a freshman, Proctor started the 2021 season as a starter. But that year ended when he broke his leg in the second game against Oregon. He began the 2022 opener against Notre Dame as a starter but was benched after missing an early tackle and didn't regain his job all season.
He persevered, though, earned a starting job last year and finally put it all together. He has range and can be a jarring tackler. He had 47 tackles and eight pass breakups. Proctor intercepted one pass, which he returned for a touchdown. His hands are an issue because he dropped several potential interceptions.
Ohio State's NFL draft-eligible players
(Include previously 2024-drafted players here as well as well as players who have declared or are eligible.)
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr. , selected in first round (No. 4 overall) by Arizona Cardinals.
- DL Mike Hall Jr. , selected in second round (No. 54 overall) by Cleveland Browns.
- TE Cade Stover
- LB Tommy Eichenberg
- LB Steele Chambers
- OG Matt Jones
- SAF Josh Proctor
- WR Xavier Johnson
- RB Miyan Williams