The Ohio State football program is going to be well-represented during the 2026 NFL Draft. There is a chance that as many as five Ohio State Buckeyes are taken in the top 10 on Thursday night. The top end of the draft is where the Buckeyes will shine. Still, they have some value later in the draft.
With the NFL Draft coming up this weekend, there are a few Buckeyes who are coming in a bit under the radar. These three Buckeyes are the most underrated draft prospects who can be taken this weekend. All of these players will make their future teams very happy.
1. Caden Curry
When Caden Curry was recruited by the Buckeyes, I loved him immediately. Coming out of Greenwood, Indiana, Curry showed the ability to just be around the ball. That's what Curry showed during his time with the Buckeyes, as well. He had 11 sacks last season as a senior.
Curry is projected to be anywhere between a third and a fourth-round pick this weekend. With that kind of value, Curry is really going to help whatever team ends up selecting him. There's even a chance he ends up starting in a couple of years' time for that team.
2. Max Klare
Max Klare only spent one year with the Ohio State Buckeyes, but it was a solid one. He was a weapon that they were able to use over the middle in the passing game. Not just that, but his run-blocking also improved in his one season with the Buckeyes. That makes him even more valuable as a tight end.
Klare is projected to be selected anywhere from a fourth to a sixth-round pick, so that's a wide range. Kalre will be able to give whatever team drafts him a pass-catcher with some serious size. He could be a backup tight end that is a weapon in the red zone.
3. Caleb Downs
How is a player that is projected to be taken in the top 10 underrated? Well, because he could be the best defensive player in the draft. He likely will be the third or fourth defensive player taken, which seems crazy based on the production he has had in each of the last two seasons with Ohio State.
Downs won the Thorpe Award for being the best defensive back in the country in 2025. Even if safety isn't a high-value position, Downs is going to help a team win games. His versatility is great, and if he somehow falls out of the top 10, whichever team does take him is going to get a steal.
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