Ohio State Football: 2020 stat projections for Buckeyes in the NFL
Defensive line
Joey Bosa, Los Angeles Chargers
Playing under a new 5-year, $135 million extension, Bosa should continue his fantastic productions. With 40 sacks, 201 total tackles, and 53 TFLs, the Chargers will be a menace on the edge because of Bosa on the outside and Melvin Ingram III coming from the outside linebacker spot. With offensive lines having to deal with both Ingram and Bosa, don’t expect Bosa’s 2019 production (11.5 sacks, 31 QB hits, and 18 TFLs).
2020 Projections: 12 sacks, 30 QB hits, 16 TFLs, 65 total tackles
Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Staying in the Bosa family, Nick showed in his rookie year that he could be even better than his older brother. With 9 sacks, 16 TFLs, 25 QB hits, and 47 total tackles, along with a Super Bowl appearance with the 49ers, Nick has a bright future. However, the trade of DT DeForest Buckner, allowing for more double teams against Nick, and the added awareness of offensive lines to the 22-year-old menace could mean a slight drop-off in numbers.
2020 Projections: 7 sacks, 14 TFLs, 25 QB hits, 50 total tackles
Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati Bengals
Similar to his career at Ohio State, Hubbard has often been overshadowed. But it might be time to stop sleeping on the former tight end. With 8.5 sacks, 76 total tackles and 10 TFLs in 2019, the addition of DT D.J. Reader from Houston could allow Hubbard to continue to increase his production on a Cincinnati team that could be exciting to watch in 2020 with former Ohio State transfer QB and 2019 Heisman winner Joe Burrow at quarterback
2020 Projections: 10 sacks, 70 total tackles, 15 TFLs
Johnathan Hankins, Las Vegas Raiders
Veteran DT Hankins has consistently plugged the holes on defense, racking up 270 total tackles throughout his 7-year career. 50 total tackles, 7 for loss, should be a repeatable number in 2019.
2020 Projections: 50 total tackles, 8 TFLs
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh Steelers
Coming into his tenth NFL season with a new 4-year, $71.4 million extension, Heyward will continue to be a veteran leader of a talented Pittsburgh defensive line. 9 sacks, 83 total tackles, and 11 TFLs could finally be reduced as Heyward gets older, but his total tackles were a career-high, so Heyward may not be on a downward trend just yet.
2020 Projections: 7 sacks, 70 total tackles, 9 TFLs
Chase Young, Washington Football Team
“The Predator” needs no other introduction. After amassing 30.5 sacks, 98 total tackles (40.5 for a loss), and 9 forced fumbles in practically two-and-a-half seasons at Ohio State, Young was a Heisman finalist and the No. 2 overall pick, behind former teammate Joe Burrow. The dominant presence of Young could produce even bigger numbers than during his time in college, where safeties rack up tackles that the linemen get in the NFL.
2020 Projections: 10 sacks, 55 total tackles, 18 TFLs, 3 forced fumbles