The Ohio State Buckeyes had a massive footprint on the first round of the 2026 NFL draft on Thursday night, with four players hearing their names called and walking across the stage in the top 11 selections. Unfortunately, OSU just missed being the first program to have four top-10 draft picks in a single draft.
Did every Buckeye selected end up in an ideal situation, though? Let's take a look after a big night for Ryan Day's program in Pittsburgh.
Tennessee Titans select WR Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick
In one of the draft's biggest early shockers, receiver Carnell Tate was the first Ohio State alum off the board. The Tennessee Titans were admittedly a bit of a curious fit for Tate with the fourth overall pick, though.
Tate's athleticism, or perceived lack thereof at the NFL Combine, gives him a profile of a WR2 by trade. The Titans don't have a true WR1 right now, with 2025 fourth-round pick Elic Ayomanor serving as Cam Ward's top target in the receiving corps. Tight end Chig Okonkwo had the most yardage on the team.
This one was a questionable union.
Grade: C-
New York Giants select EDGE Arvell Reese with the No. 5 pick
The New York Jets may rue the day they let Arvell Reese fall to the New York Giants, squandering the No. 2 pick on an edge rusher with a lower ceiling, Texas Tech Red Raiders star David Bailey. Gang Green bet on the supposed "sure thing," allowing their MetLife Stadium co-tenants to steal a player who had the talent to go No. 1 overall in many drafts.
John Harbaugh has a potential superstar on his hands along the edge and off-ball. It'll take some time to truly reach his ceiling, but Reese was just placed in a serious organization that's likely on the come-up.
Grade: A
Washington Commanders select MLB Sonny Styles with the No. 7 pick
Sonny Styles excelled as a middle linebacker last season, doing great work off-ball but also filling gaps in the run game well. As a former safety, he has also experience lining up deep down field in coverage.
The Washington Commanders had a major need in their LB room, and they filled it capably with a proven entity.
Grade: A-
Dallas Cowboys select S Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick
Caleb Downs finds himself in a strong landing spot, on paper, with the Dallas Cowboys under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, who was the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive passing game coordinator.
Parker loves focusing on getting guys in spots where they thrive, while also developing. As a former DB himself, Parker will prioritize Downs in his defense as a foundational pillar piece.
Grade: A-
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