The Ohio State football factory hasn't stopped mass production since Ryan Day took over as head coach.
The Buckeyes have 29 NFL Draft picks combined through the last three drafts, and they will add to that number April 28-30 at the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
There is a twist in this year's draft. Ohio State likely will have a pair of receivers taken in the first round in Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. The last time that happened was in 2007 with Ted Ginn Jr. and Anthony Gonzalez.
That is part of another crop of Buckeyes' destined to have success at the next level. SN's Vinnie Iyer projects seven Ohio State players to be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Here is a closer look at where each player might land:
NFL Ohio State mock draft 2022
Chris Olave, Wide receiver
- Commanders, No. 11 overall, first round
Olave and Wilson are considered among the safest first-round bets, and they were among the eight receivers who ran sub-4.4 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Olave is a precise route runner who caught a TD every five catches at Ohio State. He averaged 15.4 yards per catch. He had a string of eight straight games with a TD catch last season. He did have a 63.1% catch percentage, which feels like it could be a little bit better. Olave, however, should be able to establish a connection with any quarterback, and it won't be a surprise if a team trades up to grab him in the top 10.
Garrett Wilson, Wide receiver
- Saints, No. 16 overall, first round
Wilson has the most superstar upside of any receiver in the draft. The five-star recruit lived up to expectations, and he finished with 70 catches for 1,058 yards and 12 TDs as a junior. The 6-0, 192-pound receiver ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. He had a better catch percentage than Olave at 68%. Sean Payton loved drafting Ohio State players when he was the coach of the Saints. Dennis Allen will follow that trend, and Wilson will have a mentor in Michael Thomas. It's a win-win for New Orleans.
Nicholas Petit-Frere, Tackle
- Ravens, No. 45 overall, second round
Frere was the top-ranked tackle in his recruiting class, and he developed after redshirting in 2018. Petit-Frere started one season at right tackle and one season at left tackle, and that experience could pay off at the next level. The 6-5, 315-pounder is an outstanding pass blocker who performed well at the NFL Combine. There are four tackles projected to go in the first round. Petit-Frere is lumped in the second round with Zion Johnson and Bernhard Raimann.
Jeremy Ruckert, Tight end
- Vikings, No. 77 overall, third round
Ruckert is a 6-5, 250-pound tight end who has outstanding hands. That size can create mismatches in the seams, and he caught 12 TDs on 53 receptions the last three seasons for the Buckeyes. That included a few highlight-reel one-handed catches. He's a solid blocker, and part of a group of second-day tight ends that could learn from Tyler Conklin in Minnesota. This would be a solid landing spot.
Thayer Munford, Guard
- Texans, No. 107 overall, fourth round
Munford is a massive interior at 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds. He was a four-year starter for the Buckeyes, and he has experience at left guard and left tackle. He opted to return for his senior season, and his value might have slipped a little bit. He will be drafted as a guard but could end up at tackle in Houston.
Haskell Garrett, Defensive tackle
- Ravens, No. 110 overall, fourth round
Garrett is one of the feel-good stories of the draft. Garrett was shot in the face in 2020 while trying to break up a fight, but he managed to return and emerged as a team leader on defense for the Buckeyes the last two seasons. He had 5.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss from the interior for Ohio State last season, and the 6-2, 300-pounder ran a 5.07 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. There is top-end defensive tackle talent in this draft, and Garrett is capable of playing at that level. He'll fit in with the Ravens, even if that means playing for former Michigan defensive coordinator Michael Macdonald.
Tyreke Smith, Edge rusher
- Browns, No. 118 overall, fourth round
Smith was a situational pass rusher for the Buckeyes, and he totaled three sacks in his senior season. Smith has the measurements at 6-3, 265 pounds, and he was developed by defensive line coach Larry Johnson. He's from Cleveland Heights High School. The Browns grab the local talent and add depth to their defense.
