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Ohio State football: The importance of each Buckeye drafted in April

By Alec Hartman

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Denzel Ward of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #4 overall by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Denzel Ward of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #4 overall by the Cleveland Browns during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State
COLUMBUS, OH – OCTOBER 7: Sam Hubbard #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after making a tackle for a loss in the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 77: DE Sam Hubbard to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shortly after Price was selected, the Bengals were sure to jump on the next Buckeye available. The Bengals selected Sam Hubbard with the 13th pick of the third round. The rich got richer as the Bengals were 13th in the league in sacks last season so getting a top-tier pass rusher in Hubbard will give them another boost.

The Bengals should feel fortunate as well as they got Hubbard for a steal way back in the third round. Hubbard was projected to be selected in the back end of the first round or maybe early second but ended up falling to the middle of the third. This is interesting considering the great success of former Buckeye defensive end Joey Bosa. When Bosa was selected third overall in 2016, he exceeded the hype by a mile when he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Though Hubbard wasn’t nearly on the same level as Bosa considering notoriety, he did showcase some similarities. The biggest similarity that Hubbard has to Bosa is size. Bosa is only one inch taller and 10 pounds heavier than Hubbard. He also had more sacks than Bosa in his final year. Hubbard may not be Bosa 2.0 but it would be foolish for any team to not believe that a player from Ohio State would not live up to his name.

Hubbard was a great pass rusher for the Buckeyes and spearheaded the defensive line that was viewed as one of the premier units in the country last season. He had seven sacks as well as 13.5 tackles for loss in his final season. Hubbard was destined to be one of the key pieces on the Buckeyes’ defensive line after completing his freshman season where he recorded eight tackles for loss, six and a half sacks, and an interception.

The Bengals already have a star-studded defensive unit that is annually one of the strongest in the league. They are especially known for their strong defensive front. Featured defensive linemen include Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. Hubbard may find it hard to get playing time early but the Bengals certainly have a position in mind for him. Hubbard is an athletic player who can play many positions so he should easily fit somewhere on that roster.

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