The Ohio State Buckeyes have three potential top-five 2026 NFL draft prospects this April. The specific order of said prospects figures to change several times between now and then, though, according to Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy.
Murphy acknowledged that while linebacker Arvell Reese is the current frontrunner from the pack, both safety Caleb Downs and receiver Carnell Tate have a chance to jump to the front of the line between February 26 and March 1 at the NFL Combine.
That front of the line is expected to be the No. 2 pick in the draft, with the Las Vegas Raiders likely selecting Heisman-winning, defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall.
"Caleb Downs and Carnell Tate are the two most likely players to overtake Reese as the top Scarlet and Gray player in the NFL Draft," Murphy wrote. "Ohio State's reputation as Wide Receiver U helps Tate's status before he takes the field at the Combine. However, his workouts and interviews could further boost his stock after one breakout season with the Buckeyes. His route-running and hands will impress NFL scouts.
"A three-time All-American, Downs is almost certain to be a top-10 pick based on his college career split between Alabama and Ohio State. Downs can help himself in interviews, showcasing his intelligence and knowledge of the game."
Ohio State's 2026 NFL draft class could be program's all-time best
The fact that Downs is being talked about as a potential No. 2 pick as a safety is a testament to how good a player he was. The fact that Tate is being talked about as the second skill-position player taken after being Jeremiah Smith's No. 2 in Columbus is a testament to how strong Ohio State's WR room was/is.
This Buckeyes draft class has several special talents who could go on to become the best of the best at their positions in the NFL. Murphy even mentioned linebacker Sonny Styles as a potential riser in the draft.
When it's all said and done, Ohio State's 2026 NFL exports could go down as one of the program's all-time greatest draft groups. They already won a national championship in 2024/2025, then followed it up with a perfect regular season and a long-coveted win over TTUN in "The Game." All that's missing is continuing their all-world trajectory at the next level.
Hearing where they stand ahead of the NFL Combine, how can you consider betting against that?