Ohio State Football: Will One of These Buckeyes Become a Patriot?
There is a chance one of these Ohio State players will be drafted by New England.
How would you like to be an Ohio State player entering the NFL draft and have the prospect of being chosen by the defending Super Bowl Champions with their first pick? That’s a real possibility for at least one Buckeye, and there could be two more in the mix as well.
It was reported in an article by Eleven Warriors that the New England Patriots are working out linebacker Raekwon McMillan. There were some interesting stats on cornerbacks Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore in the article as well. While Lattimore won’t be around by the time the Patriots pick, Conley could be.
With the way Conley’s draft status has been moving up, it’s hard to say if he will be around when the Patriots pick at No. 32. If he is, he may be viewed as the best player on the board. As a potential plug and play cornerback, it may be hard for coach Bill Belichick to pass on him.
If he is off the board, the Patriots may feel the need to draft the best available linebacker, and that may be McMillan. The Ohio State linebacker could be just the right fit for New England. While discussing the Patriots’ draft needs, staff writer Mike Gerken had this to say about their linebacker situation in nepatriotsdraft.com.
"This is a very interesting position. The group has arguably one of the best tandems in the NFL. Collins and Hightower create a 1-2 punch that can do a lot of different things and their games compliment each other very well. The problem is, neither of them are under contract after this year. Now, I have all the confidence in the world that at least one of them will be back next year and hopefully a deal can be worked out with both of them to remain on the team. Behind those two, the Linebacker corp is pretty bare."
More from Scarlet and Game
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
Coach Belichick may want a player like McMillan to improve the depth at linebacker for one season while grooming him to start the next.
Here is a scenario where another Buckeye could be chosen by New England. The Patriots are known to trade down to pick up more draft choices, usually to use in trades for veteran players. If they find a draft partner to do that, but stay in the first half of the second round, they may be in play for Curtis Samuel. Gerkin alluded to injuries and age possibly catching up to wide receiver Julian Edelman and said Danny Amendola’s contract is up after next season. Can you imagine how Samuel could thrive in the Patriot short passing game that allows receivers to utilize their running abilities after the catch?
It has the feel that Conley, McMillan or Samuel could be the first pick by the New England Patriots. Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick have a close relationship so I’m sure the Patriots head coach is well aware of the character and work ethic of each of the Buckeyes mentioned. That will certainly be a plus tor them.
Must Read: Urban Warming: Ohio State Turning Up the Heat in Texas?
Who knows, there may be another Buckeye left on the board the Patriots might be interested in with the last pick in the second round. Don’t you think coach Belichick might be able to use a versatile guard / center? Think Urban may encourage him to take a look at Pat Elflein.