Ohio State Football: Experts say Nick Bosa still likely #1 pick

Nick Bosa is dropping out of Ohio State to focus on getting healthy for the NFL Draft — and professional draft watchers say it won’t hurt his stock one bit.

Nick Bosa is doing the right thing.

Facing a lengthy recovery for the abdominal injury he suffered against TCU, along with the prospect of a less-than-effective return to the field for OSU and the real risk of re-injury, Bosa and his family decided to end the speculation and begin the inevitable.

The inevitable march towards being the top non-QB selected in next year’s NFL draft.

While his decision has faced some criticism of the “what has our society come to” variety, the negative reaction has come mainly from Twitter trolls. A survey of national experts in the wake of Bosa’s announcement shows that his choice has not affected his draft stock in the slightest.

The consensus: as long as Bosa proves that he’s fully recovered, he’s a lock for the top 5.

Dane Brugler, Draft Analyst for The Athletic reported via Twitter he still has Bosa No. 1.

Brugler even answered a specific question about whether Bosa dropping out should change his draft ranking, responding:

"“He’s withdrawing because he isn’t 100% healthy. And as a future top-3 draft pick, it’s hard to blame him.”"

Bleacher Report’s  Matt Miller also took to Twitter saying he has Bosa No. 1.

CBS sports Chris Tripasso writes:

"“The ferocious pass-rusher is — and is extremely likely to stay — the No. 1 prospect on my Big Board,” adding ” I think Bosa is absolutely making the correct decision. He’s already aced the collegiate level, and his game is incredibly refined for a defensive end who doesn’t turn 21 until next week.”"

Jon Ledyard of The Draft Network thinks anyone who doesn’t have Bosa as the top player on the board isn’t worth wasting breath on.

"No, his stock isn’t going to fall because he isn’t going back to Ohio State to finish the season. NFL teams are probably thrilled he isn’t risking further injury or trying to play at less than 100 percent. Not one general manager will care about Bosa’s decision in a negative fashion whatsoever. It’s a non-factor. Stop talking about it for clicks."

And the granddaddy of all draftniks, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr, lists Bosa as his top prospect, writing:

"“I don’t expect Bosa’s core muscle injury to affect his draft stock, even after it was announced that he isn’t returning to Ohio State.”"

No Backlash?

Anyone wondering why the old-school, “rub some grass on it and get back out there” NFL lifers aren’t knocking Bosa for what his Twitter doubters have called a “selfish,” “greedy” decision need only look at the last few years — and some startling case studies.

Bosa himself likely watched Notre Dame linebacker Jaylon Smith cost himself $20 million in guaranteed money by wrecking his knee in a meaningless bowl game against the Buckeyes.  Smith, a likely top-5 selection before the injury, fell to the Cowboys in the second round.

South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore fared even worse, suffering a college knee injury so gruesome and severe that the top prospect never caught on in the NFL.

Remember, too, that this is not a case of a highly rated prospect skipping a bowl game on the off-chance that he MIGHT be injured (see Fournette, Leonard, McCaffrey, Christian, and yes, Ward, Denzel).  Bosa’s current injury, along with the risks of aggravating it by playing again this year, forced his hand.

Those players listed above were not penalized for withdrawing from their teams early. Bosa won’t be either, nor should he be.

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Players in all sports have become more conscious of the fact that they’re a commodity to many owners, and that their earning power is limited. Careers are fleeting and fragile; the idea that team loyalty should come before taking care of yourself and your family has become antiquated in just a few short years.

This season alone, LeVeon Bell, Khalil Mack, and Aaron Donald have taken stands against their teams to demand what they think is fair — and while fans of their teams may be upset, there are very few owners in the league who wouldn’t welcome those players with open arms.

As player attitudes have evolved, so too have the attitudes of coaches, GMs, and owners. They’ll look at Bosa’s health, his ability, and whether he was a good teammate at OSU — and with the extra time to recover and rehabilitate, they should have nothing to complain about.

And one of those GMs will have the good fortune to select Nick Bosa with the top selection in the 2019 NFL draft.