All 11 members of the 2021 Ohio State football team who opted to pursue NFL careers were either selected in last week’s draft, signed as undrafted free agents or invited to participate in a team’s rookie minicamp.
Now, the real work begins.
Whether they’re first-round picks like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave who will be expected to compete for immediate starting jobs, or undrafted rookies who will be competing just to earn roster spots, their new NFL teams will be expecting them to hit the ground running when they begin their pro careers at rookie minicamps either this weekend or next weekend.
Some of them, however, will have better opportunities than others to play major roles early in their careers.
Below, we take a look at how each of the 11 newest Buckeyes in the NFL could fit with their new teams and where they could stack up on those teams’ respective depth charts.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
If all goes according to plan in New York, Jets fans will be heralding the Wilson-to-Wilson connection for years to come. After being selected as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, the Jets will be expecting Garrett Wilson to quickly become a primary target for second-year quarterback Zach Wilson.
Zach Wilson struggled in his rookie season, completing only 55.6 percent of his passes for 2,334 yards and nine touchdowns with 11 interceptions, so Garrett Wilson’s success will be tied to some extent by his young quarterback’s improvement. That goes both ways, of course, and the Jets are hoping Garrett Wilson’s ability to get open and make tough catches will help their quarterback find his groove in his second NFL season, which is a big reason why they drafted the former Ohio State receiver with one of their two top-10 picks.
“Feel great about Garrett at the value we were able to get him,” Jets general manager Joe Douglas said after the first round of the draft. “His playmaking ability, his explosiveness, ball skills, run after catch, he’s a very talented young man.”
As long as he performs well in training camp and the preseason, Wilson will almost certainly be an immediate starter in New York, and he could rapidly emerge as the Jets’ No. 1 receiver, considering they didn’t have a single player with more than 538 receiving yards last season.
The only real question is whether Wilson will line up outside or inside after he played both X receiver and in the slot at Ohio State. He told reporters after being selected that he is comfortable playing either role, and 2021 second-round pick Elijah Moore can also play both outside and inside, giving the Jets the flexibility to mix and match where they line up alongside projected third starter Corey Davis, who’s played mostly outside throughout his career.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
If Olave can be as successful as the other Buckeyes who have been drafted by the Saints in recent years, New Orleans will be happy it traded up to the No. 11 overall selection to draft him. In the past 20 years alone, Ohio State players who have excelled after being drafted by New Orleans have included Michael Thomas, Marshon Lattimore, Vonn Bell, Malcolm Jenkins, Will Smith and LeCharles Bentley.
Thomas is one of six Buckeyes currently on the Saints’ roster, and he’s still in line to be their No. 1 receiver, assuming he is fully recovered from the ankle injury that sidelined him for part of the 2020 season and all of 2021. But Olave should get every opportunity to win the No. 2 receiver job opposite Thomas, giving Jameis Winston a pair of Ohio State greats to throw the ball to.
While they did not play together at Ohio State, Olave and Thomas should in theory be perfect complements for one another. While Thomas has become an NFL star on the basis of his ability to carve up defenses on short and intermediate routes, Olave’s calling card is his ability to make big plays as a deep threat, which will help stretch out defenses for Thomas to do his work.
Saints coach Dennis Allen believes Olave can be a lot more than just a home-run hitter in New Orleans, though, as he believes Olave brings a complete skill set with him from Ohio State.
“I thought there were some good receivers in this draft, but he’s the one guy that I felt like, ’Man, I know exactly what I’m getting in this player,’” Saints coach Dennis Allen said after they drafted Olave. “Tough, smart, competitive. Highly polished. I thought one of the better route-runners. Highly productive, really good hands. I just felt like the best well-rounded receiver in the draft.”
Dennis Allen on what he liked about Chris Olave #SaintsDraft pic.twitter.com/ATQBjX2T8i
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 29, 2022
Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Tennessee Titans
The No. 69 overall selection in the third round of the draft, Petit-Frere could be a rookie starter at right tackle and/or the Titans’ future starter at left tackle.
Following the departure of 2021 starting right tackle David Quessenberry to the Buffalo Bills in free agency, Petit-Frere will likely get an opportunity to compete with 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz to take that spot in the lineup. Radunz’ year of NFL experience might give him a leg up over NPF in that competition, but Petit-Frere made it clear after the Titans drafted him that he wants to be ready to make an impact as quickly as possible.
“I'm not trying to start at day one, I'm trying to start like already ready for me to be part of the offensive line unit,” Petit-Frere said. “I want to be a veteran when I get in there. I want to train like I'm a veteran. I want to learn like I'm a veteran, I want to practice like I'm a veteran. I want to do all the things that it takes to be a great player in the NFL.”
It’s also possible the Titans could move Radunz inside to guard to open up the right tackle job to Petit-Frere, though Titans coach Mike Vrabel was noncommittal when asked about that possibility after they drafted Petit-Frere.
Long-term, it’s also possible Petit-Frere could be the eventual successor to Taylor Lewan at left tackle. Lewan will turn 31 later this year and has two years left on his contract with the team, so if Petit-Frere performs up to expectations, the Titans could eventually move him from the right side to the left side – just as Ohio State did in 2021 – to replace Lewan if they decide to move on from him at the end of his deal.
Jeremy Ruckert, TE, New York Jets
From a personal standpoint, there’s no question that landing with the Jets was an ideal fit for Ruckert, who grew up just an hour away from MetLife Stadium in Lindenhurst, New York. Ruckert has been a Jets fan since he was a kid, so being drafted by Gang Green was truly a childhood dream come true for the former Ohio State tight end.
On the field, he might not be in line to play a major role for the Jets right off the bat. They already acquired two veteran tight ends in free agency, C.J. Uzomah (previously of the Cincinnati Bengals) and Tyler Conklin (previously of the Minnesota Vikings), and they’ll likely lead the depth chart after combining for 110 catches and 1,086 yards last season.
That means Ruckert will probably begin his NFL career as a third-string tight end, which could mean limited snaps as a rookie now that the Jets also have an established starting trio of receivers. But the Jets expect Ruckert to embrace whatever role they expect him to play.
And even though he never averaged more than two catches a game during his years in Columbus, the Jets believe Ruckert will ultimately be a weapon for them in the passing game.
“He’s a guy that’s willing to sacrifice for the team,” Douglas said. “He’s a dynamic athlete, he’s a dynamic weapon in the pass game. He wasn’t always the number one option at Ohio State, but he was a guy that was willing to do the dirty work to help his teammates as a blocker. He really committed to helping his running backs at the point of attack and he gets after guys at the line of scrimmage, but he can also get open against safeties and create separation in the pass game, he’s got excellent ball skills and he’s got some run after catch too. Probably not showcased (as much in college) as some of the other top tight ends, but still we thought a dynamic weapon.”
Tyreke Smith, OLB, Seattle Seahawks
The first thing you may notice is Smith being listed as an outside linebacker, a position he never played at Ohio State but is the position he’s expected to play in the Seahawks’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
Nonetheless, Smith will be asked to do the same thing most of the time that he was asked to do most of the time at Ohio State: Rush the passer.
“We’re gonna take you as an outside linebacker, but we want you to be an edge rush guy, just like you know,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said in his draft call to Smith.
We're pumped for you, @T_23_baller pic.twitter.com/3MsJFxiCJX
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) April 30, 2022
That puts Smith in a similar position to that which Jonathon Cooper was drafted into last year, when the Broncos selected him in the seventh round of the NFL draft and made him an outside linebacker after he played exclusively defensive end at Ohio State. Cooper took well to that transition, as he was arguably the best seventh-round pick in last year’s rookie class, making five starts and recording 38 total tackles with 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in his first year.
A fifth-round pick (No. 158 overall) by the Seahawks, Smith will look to exceed expectations as a rookie the same way Cooper did. He’ll likely begin his career as a backup, given that the Seahawks also drafted former Minnesota defensive end Boye Mafe in the second round to play as a pass-rushing outside linebacker, but he should have a chance to earn at least some playing time as a rotational pass-rusher.
How much playing time he sees as a rookie could all depend on how well he adapts to playing as a standup edge defender rather than with his hand in the dirt, but he looked good in linebacker drills at the NFL Scouting Combine and believes playing for Larry Johnson at Ohio State prepared him for dropping back into coverage even though he rarely did so in games.
“Coach J was adamant about us working all of our techniques, so I’m definitely comfortable with dropping,” Smith said after he was drafted.
Thayer Munford, OT, Las Vegas Raiders
As a seventh-round pick, Munford will have to prove himself worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster, but his experience playing both tackle and guard should improve his chances of securing a job as a backup offensive lineman.
Depending on who ends up making the Raiders’ starting offensive line, Munford could end up being the Raiders’ top backup offensive tackle behind Kolton Miller and Brandon Parker. If Alex Leatherwood moves inside to play guard, there would not be another obvious candidate to be the team’s No. 3 offensive tackle.
Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler indicated in his post-draft press conference that they view Munford primarily as a tackle.
“There's just not a lot of human beings that have that size, length, athletic skill set to play tackle. And to have a tackle like Thayer that was there that played in the Big Ten for Ohio State and played against a lot of good talent and did a solid job in those match-ups, to have a tackle there that had I'd say that resume was an attractive thing,” Ziegler said.
Ziegler also said the Raiders value versatility in their offensive linemen, and Munford could also provide depth inside, though he’s less likely to be one of the Raiders’ top three players at guard after they also drafted former Memphis guard Dylan Parham in the third round.
After playing both left tackle and left guard at Ohio State, though, Munford says he’s willing to play any position in Las Vegas.
“To be honest, I don't care what position I’m playing,” Munford said after he was drafted. “I'm just happy to be a Raider and just happy to be a part of the organization that’s giving me a chance to compete.”
Haskell Garrett, DT, Tennessee Titans
While going undrafted is never ideal, it did give Garrett the opportunity to pick his spot, and it’s easy to see why he picked Tennessee. The Titans didn’t draft any defensive linemen and don’t have overwhelming depth on their interior defensive line, so Garrett should have a legitimate chance to compete for a roster spot in Nashville.
On a defensive line that uses both three-man and four-man fronts, Garrett likely projects best to play as a 3-technique defensive tackle in four-man fronts – the same role he spent most of his time playing at Ohio State – though it would improve his chances of sticking around in Tennessee if he can prove that he can play as a 5-technique defensive end in three-man fronts.
That’s a similar role to that which 2021 Pro Bowl selection Jeffery Simmons plays, which could limit Garrett’s chances of earning significant playing time, but as an undrafted free agent, the primary objective is just making a roster and going from there. And there should be a spot or two up for grabs on the interior defensive line depth chart behind the returning quartet of Simmons, Teair Tart, Naquan Jones and Larrell Murchison.
God has a plan for me, I appreciate all the love and support BuckeyeNation!!! Got the biggest chip on my shoulder more than ever. Blessed to be a Tennessee Titan!! #TitanUp
— Haskell Garrett (@HaskellGarrett) April 30, 2022
Master Teague, RB, Chicago Bears
Signing with the Chicago Bears, who entered the draft with needs at just about every position and therefore could have more roster spots available for undrafted free agents to earn, was also a logical decision for Teague, whose experience playing alongside Justin Fields could also give him a slight leg up over the Bears’ other undrafted rookies.
He’ll still face an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Bears’ 53-man roster, but it’s not out of the question. David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert return as their top two running backs, but Teague should get a chance to compete for the third-string running back job with Darrynton Evans – who had only two carries for seven yards with the Titans – and sixth-round pick Trestan Ebner.
Ebner’s ability as a kickoff returner, a role in which he scored three touchdowns in his last two seasons at Baylor, could give him an edge in that competition over Teague, who did not see a lot of playing time on special teams at Ohio State. But Teague is more physically gifted than the typical undrafted rookie, and he’ll surely have an advocate in the Bears’ backfield in Fields, who he played alongside at Ohio State in 2019 and 2020.
Chris Booker, WR, Arizona Cardinals (minicamp invite)
Booker has to perform well at the Cardinals’ rookie minicamp just to earn a spot on their 90-man roster, so he has a long way to go if he’s going to make their 53-man regular season roster. But it wouldn’t be the first time Booker has exceeded expectations, considering he was playing club football at Ohio State just four years ago and ended up becoming one of the varsity Buckeyes’ top special teams players over the last two seasons.
It’s obvious what Booker will have to do if he’s going to have a chance to make the roster: Prove he can be an asset on multiple special teams units. His experience playing in that phase of the game should help him in that regard, though, as the players who make the back of an NFL roster are often the ones who are the best special teams contributors.
Of course, Booker will also have to prove he can play wide receiver if needed if the Cardinals are going to give him a roster spot. There will be an extra opening on the Cardinals’ wide receiver depth chart for the beginning of the season after DeAndre Hopkins was suspended for the first six games of the year for violating their performance-enhancing drug policy, but he’ll have to show his receiver skills in rookie minicamp after catching just two passes as a Buckeye.
Antwuan Jackson, DT, New York Giants (minicamp invite)
Jackson also must perform well at his rookie minicamp to earn a spot on the 90-man roster, but like the Titans, the Giants don’t have a ton of depth on their interior defensive line, leaving a window of opportunity for Jackson to land a contract for at least the preseason.
Like Smith and Garrett, he’ll have to show that he can make the transition to playing in a 3-4 defensive front, as the Giants are switching to a 3-4 defense this year under new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. His experience playing nose tackle and 3-technique at Ohio State should help with that, though, as he could potentially play either on the nose or as a defensive end in a three-man front.
The Giants also reportedly signed four other defensive tackles to undrafted free agent contracts – South Carolina’s Jabari Ellis, Michigan’s Christopher Hinton and Florida’s Tyrone Truesdell and Antonio Valentino – which would suggest that a roster spot on the interior defensive line could be available for one of them. With a strong showing at minicamp, Jackson could earn his way into that competition.
Demario McCall, CB/WR, Chicago Bears (minicamp invite)
Considering that McCall played a wide variety of positions at Ohio State and it hasn’t yet been confirmed which position he will be trying out at with the Bears, his fit with his new team is the hardest to project. Like Booker and Jackson, whether he’ll even get a chance to go through training camp with the Bears will be contingent on how he performs at rookie minicamp this weekend.
As with Teague, though, the Bears being in rebuilding mode could give McCall a better chance of competing his way onto the roster than he’d have with most other teams. Like with Booker, whether McCall turns his rookie camp invite into a contract will depend largely on whether the Bears believe he can be a factor on special teams, the only phase of the game in which he consistently played as a Buckeye.
His experience playing on both sides of the ball could also improve his chances of earning a spot in a league where regular-season rosters are much smaller than college teams, but he’ll need to establish himself at one position or another if he’s going to become a serious candidate to stick around.
