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Devin Smith First of Five Ohio State Buckeyes Drafted in 2015 NFL Draft

By Ryan Rosko

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Ohio State’s Devin Smith was the first Buckeye to be drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. The former WR was chosen in the 2nd Round, 37th overall by the New York Jets. There were a total of five Ohio State Buckeyes drafted.

TE Jeff Heuerman was selected 92nd overall in the 3rd Round by the Denver Broncos, followed by CB Doran Grant, 4th Round, 121st, by the Pittsburgh Steelers. One surprise during the draft was how long DL Michael Bennett had to wait. Bennett ended up being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 6th Round with the 180th overall pick. WR Evan Spencer ended up as the last drafted Buckeye to the Washington Redskins 187th overall in the 6th Round.

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Players  from the team who were not drafted but signed UDFA deals includes RB Rod Smith, LB Curtis Grant and OL Darryl Baldwin.

Smith joins a talented WR position in New York, led by veterans Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker. Smith should start immediately as their punt and kickoff returner. The one question I have with this pick, is when will Smith make catches and who will be throwing those passes to him?

I am not saying he is not going to be thrown to, but with inconsistent QB play and two established WR’s, do not expect many completions caught by Smith early on. The new coaching staff will evaluate Geno Smith and determine if he can go forward as the starter despite his struggles. If Geno Smith cannot be the starter, 5th Round pick Bryce Petty (Baylor) may be the guy.

Jeff Heuerman just hit the lottery, getting to play with future Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning. All players are an unknown heading into the NFL, but with one of the best QB’s of all time throwing the ball, words cannot express how greatly that benefits Heuerman. Even if Manning is only the QB for one or two more years, Heuerman is a talented TE who has the ability to play in the league for ten years.

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The good news is Doran Grant is playing for an AFC North team but the bad news is that he is with Cleveland’s division rival. Grant should be the nickelback for Pittsburgh’s defense and may cut into the playing time available left by the recently retired Ike Taylor.

Bennett was sliding by each round which was very surprising. I expected him to be selected by midway through the third. Bennett is around 290 pounds which is why some teams viewed him as “small”. That goes into account the obvious size of some of these offensive linemen now and defensive schemes. Regardless of the reason why exactly Bennett slipped, the Jaguars got a steal so late in the draft. The former Buckeye should benefit well from Jaguars Coach Gus Bradley’s many looks and do big things early on defense.

With Santana Moss getting up in years, Evan Spencer is a solid player who could fill the slot position for Washington soon. He would be best used on the inside, in the slot. Spencer definitely should make some impact on special teams as well.

The Ohio State football team is expect to have multiple first round picks in next year’s draft. Some of those players could go in the top five. Buckeyes who are expected to be chosen early includes QB Cardale Jones, RB Ezekiel Elliott, DL Joey Bosa, DB Vonn Bell, and many others.

Who do you believe is going to be the first Buckeye chosen in the 2016 draft? How many will be selected in the first round?

Next: Cleveland Browns Draft Overview and Team's 1st Round Picks Interview

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