Ohio State football: Teams who could select Denzel Ward early on

Ohio State football’s Denzel Ward is going to be drafted early but which teams are more likely to draft him than others?

The Ohio State football team will have a number of Buckeyes drafted in April with as many as four possibly going in the first three rounds. One of those players is cornerback Denzel Ward.

Ward is a popular choice to be selected in the top10. He is not going to drop out of the top 15. Ward is either CB1 or CB2 for most.

While Ward would help the Cleveland Browns, he is not going to end up in NE Ohio unless he fell and Cleveland traded up significantly. So, that Buckeye won’t end up in NE Ohio but others may.

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Where else could Ward land then? In terms of teams selecting in the top 10, the Chicago Bears at eight, San Francisco 49ers at nine, and Oakland Raiders all could use him.

Chicago has done a solid job of continuing to rebuild their roster. Their most glaring needs, however, are wide receiver and cornerback.

Of course, protecting their quarterback (Mitchell Trubisky) too is always a priority so if they went with Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, then being drafted by a bay area team makes a lot of sense.

San Francisco would benefit from adding to their linebackers but a couple of corners are also needed. They have an up and coming offense so the priority for them would be to go defense early and often. Oakland’s offense is already intact and has a similar dilemma on defense.

With both California teams, the former Ohio State football star would come in and have the chance to secure the CB1 role for them. As long as Ward can improve upon his outside, downfield coverage, then his transition will be easier.

He doesn’t have the football skills to that of Iowa’s Josh Jackson but that is okay.

If somehow Ward dropped out of the top 10, Ward could still be a CB1 for the Miami Dolphins with the 11th pick. Ohio State football’s team doesn’t have many of their players selected by Miami but this would be the start of that may be changing. If Ward lands in Miami and doesn’t become CB1 as a rookie, I’d be shocked!

Ward isn’t going to fall past the Green Bay Packers with the 14th pick. They drafted Kevin King last year but by going to the NFC North, they would form one talented CB duo.

If Ward is on the board at this time, Green Bay has a decision to make. Do they go with Ward and fill a need to play opposite King or do they add wide receiving help and go defense later?

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Wherever Ward lands, that team will be pleased by his play-making abilities. He may benefit from initially playing in the slot but his talent trumps that. Within two years, Ward should be named a pro-bowler. Depending on the team, Ward may also be a favorite to become NFL defensive rookie of the year, joining other previous Ohio State football players.

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