Ohio State Football: Best buy in 2016 NFL Draft Class was a Buckeye
The 2016 NFL Draft was loaded with Ohio State football players and one of them has proven to be the best buy in the class.
During the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft Ohio State football players were chosen early and often as five were among the first 20 picks. Seven more were drafted during the next three rounds making it the best draft class by any school since 14 Buckeyes were chosen in 2004.
As rookies, Joey Bosa and Ezekiel Elliott were outstanding. Bosa was the Defensive Rookie of the Year and Elliott was just edged out as Offensive Rookie of the Year by teammate Dak Prescott.
Each have continued to play at a high level but they were expected too. Joey was the third pick in the draft and Zeke was chosen right afterwards.
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However, one of their former teammates who slipped to the second round has become a star as well. Five wide receivers were chosen ahead of Michael Thomas before the New Orleans Saints took him with the 47th pick. He has set the NFL on fire since.
I wonder what general managers who passed on him were thinking when Thomas had 92 receptions for 1,137 yards and 9 touchdowns his rookie season. And that was just the beginning.
The following year he caught 104 passes for 1,245 yards and 5 touchdowns. Last season he had 125 receptions for 1,405 yards and 9 scores.
His three-year total: 321 receptions, 3,787 yards and 23 touchdowns.
And he is still on his second round, rookie contract and reportedly will earn $1,628,763 next season. I would say that makes him the best buy in the 2016 draft class.
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I still find it hard to believe so many teams passed on e 6 ft. 3 wide receiver after he caught 110 passes for 1,581 yards and 18 touchdowns his last two years at Ohio State. But I know New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is glad they did because he picked up quite a bargain.