Ohio State Football: 2020 stat projections for Buckeyes in the NFL

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Ohio State didn’t use Michael Thomas as much as he has been used in the NFL, as he has been putting up absurd numbers.(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

Wide Receivers

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Considered by many to be the best wide receiver in the NFL, Thomas put up incredible numbers in 2019 and needs no other explanation: 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and 9 TDs. With Drew Brees still at quarterback and the Saints destined to compete for a Super Bowl, there’s seems no reason for Thomas’ numbers to taper off at all.

2020 Projections: 150 receptions, 1,800 yards, 11 TDs

Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team

McLaurin seems destined to be the next great Ohio State WR in the NFL, and if his former teammate Haskins can improve at quarterback, McLaurin could see even better numbers under Ron Rivera than last year’s 58 receptions for 919 yards and 7 TDs, even if Washington struggles.

2020 Projections: 75 receptions, 1,250 yards, 9 TDs

Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts

Campbell saw his 2019 production (18 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD) decline throughout the year as he dealt with four injuries and three in-season surgeries (played just one game after Week 9). If Campbell can stay healthy and maintain his starting position opposite T.Y. Hilton and alongside likely-starter Michael Pittman Jr. (2020 second-round draft pick), new quarterback Philip Rivers will be perfect for his production to improve in a full season.

2020 Projections: 40 receptions, 500 yards, 5 TDs

Ted Ginn Jr., Chicago Bears

Now in his 14th season, Ginn has consistently been a dependable target and has benefited from playing with quarterbacks like Cam Newton in Carolina (2015-16) and Drew Brees (2017-19), averaging 581.6 receiving yards per season. Without a drop-off in 2018 (209 yards in just five games), Ginn has seemingly gotten better with age (421 yards, 2 TDs in 2019 while competing for catches against Thomas and Alvin Kamara), but could see a decrease with Allen Robinson and Cordarrelle Patterson lining up for the Bears.

2020 Projections: 20 receptions, 300 yards, 2 TDs

Tight ends like Noah Vannett, Jeff Heuerman (Denver Broncos), and Marcus Baugh (Washington Football Team) may not grab more than 150 receiving yards, but each of the three contributes more than just pass-catching.

With the offensive player projections laid out, let’s take a look at what some of the numbers might look like for the best of former Ohio State defensive players, starting with defensive linemen.

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