Ohio State football: How 2020 will affect 6 top players’ draft stock

Pete Werner has been a solid linebacker for Ohio State over the years. The Indianapolis product has done everything the coaching staff has asked of him, and the scouts have noticed. He is a little harder of a prospect to predict though, as I’ve seen him going anywhere from the top of the second round to the middle of the third round.

But if Werner has a big year, he might be able to put himself into the first round. He is an inside linebacker that doesn’t rush the passer much, so that limits his stock a bit. He has been a starter over the last couple of years and will start again this season.

One thing Werner has going for him is good pass coverage in zone schemes. He has 12 passes knocked down over the last two seasons, with most of those coming in zone looks. As an inside backer, he will be asked to drop over the middle of the field a lot at the next level.

If he can show that he can cover a little bit better in man-to-man, he might get to that first-round level. He’s very good in run support and has good vision of the ballcarrier. If he gets hurt though, he could tumble to the end of the third round.

I’d expect Werner to have another solid season. I’d be surprised if he is in fact a first-round pick, but you never know. At worst I think he will be a second-round guy who has a chance to compete for a starting job at the next level as a rookie.

This last guy has a chance to really leap up draft boards now that he will get some playing time.