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How Ohio State’s 2024 Roster Stacks Up at Every Position Following the Transfer Portal Entry Deadline
Ohio State currently has 80 players on scholarship for the 2024 season, and it now knows that none of those players will transfer elsewhere this year.
The Buckeyes lost six players during the post-spring transfer portal entry window – running back Dallan Hayden, wide receiver Kyion Grayes, guard Enokk Vimahi, linebacker Nigel Glover and safeties Ja’Had Carter and Cedrick Hawkins – but kept the core intact of what they expect to be a championship-caliber roster.
Now five scholarships under the 85-man limit, Ohio State could still add a few players to its 2024 roster to bolster its depth. While the deadline to enter the portal has now passed, players already in the portal can still transfer to new schools. The Buckeyes have reportedly been in contact with Michigan State defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (per On3) as well as a trio of safeties: Michigan State’s Jaden Mangham and Sacramento State’s Cameron Broussard, per 247Sports, as well as Texas A&M transfer Jacoby Mathews. Offensive line has been seen as the top-priority position for a post-spring transfer addition, though there doesn’t appear to be a wealth of Ohio State-caliber linemen in the portal.
With that in mind, we take a look at how Ohio State’s roster stacks up following the year’s final portal entry deadline to assess the Buckeyes’ depth at each position and where they could potentially look to fill out the roster with another transfer addition.
The counts below only include scholarship players, though notable walk-ons who could potentially be candidates for any leftover scholarships are mentioned in the analysis below each position group.
Quarterbacks (5): Will Howard (R-Sr.), Devin Brown (R-So.), Lincoln Kienholz (R-Fr.), Julian Sayin (Fr.), Air Noland (Fr.)
While a starting quarterback still needs to emerge from this group, Ohio State has the luxury of tremendous quarterback depth. Ryan Day would be happy to have four scholarship quarterbacks, and it’s exceedingly rare for a team to have five scholarship quarterbacks in the transfer portal age.
There’s no shortage of talent throughout this group. Howard earned second-team All-Big 12 honors last year at Kansas State. Sayin, Brown and Noland were all top-60 overall prospects in their recruiting classes. Kienholz was USA TODAY’s boys’ high school athlete of the year in 2023. Howard remains the frontrunner to start this season, but they all have enough upside to start at Ohio State after choosing to stick around for at least this year.
Running Backs (4): TreVeyon Henderson (Sr.), Quinshon Judkins (Jr.), James Peoples (Fr.), Sam Williams-Dixon (Fr.)
Ohio State would probably like to have one more non-freshman running back on scholarship, but the top of the depth chart is loaded with Henderson and Judkins, who will split the vast majority of carries as long as both stay healthy. Peoples and Williams-Dixon both performed well this spring as early enrollees, and Day has expressed confidence that those two freshmen, as well as walk-on TC Caffey, can provide the depth the Buckeyes need at running back if they don’t add a transfer at the position.
“We’re looking for five, and I think we’re in a situation where we’ll be at five,” Day said in April after Hayden informed the coaching staff he would enter the portal. “If we need to add a sixth, then we’ll look into that. But right now, I think we’ll be in a situation where we feel comfortable with five guys.”
Wide Receivers (8): Emeka Egbuka (Sr.), Jayden Ballard (R-Jr.), Kojo Antwi (R-So.), Brandon Inniss (So.), Carnell Tate (So.), Bryson Rodgers (R-Fr.), Jeremiah Smith (Fr.), Mylan Graham (Fr.)
With Egbuka back to lead the way and Smith, Tate and Inniss all seen as being on the precipice of stardom, Ohio State’s wide receiver unit remains in great shape despite the departures of Marvin Harrison Jr., Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson from last season.
The total number here is lower than Ohio State would like it to be – Day said a few years ago that 11 was the Buckeyes’ target number of scholarship receivers – but Brian Hartline has never been inclined to chase portal receivers. The Buckeyes have just enough depth that they don’t have to, with walk-ons David Adolph and Brennen Schramm looking the part of capable third-stringers with their performances in the spring game.
Tight Ends (6): Gee Scott Jr. (R-Sr.), Will Kacmarek (R-Jr.), Bennett Christian (R-So.), Jelani Thurman (R-Fr.), Max LeBlanc (Fr.), Damarion Witten (Fr.)
Like at quarterback, Ohio State doesn’t have a clear-cut starter at tight end – though Scott is the leader in the clubhouse – but has more than enough depth with Kacmarek, Thurman and Christian also candidates to be a part of the tight end rotation. In addition to the six tight ends on scholarship, Patrick Gurd returns to the unit after playing the most snaps of any walk-on last season (not including Johnson, who started his career as a walk-on but was placed on scholarship in 2021).
Given the surplus of depth at tight end, Witten could be a candidate to play wide receiver – at least temporarily – to balance out the numbers at the positions, as Witten has enough athleticism to play outside and will need to bulk up from his high school weight to play tight end collegiately.
Offensive Linemen (16): Josh Fryar (R-Sr.), Seth McLaughlin (R-Sr.), Donovan Jackson (Sr.), Josh Simmons (R-Jr.), Zen Michalski (R-Jr.), George Fitzpatrick (R-So.), Carson Hinzman (R-So.), Tegra Tshabola (R-So.), Luke Montgomery (So.), Joshua Padilla (R-Fr.), Austin Siereveld (R-Fr.), Miles Walker (R-Fr.), Deontae Armstrong (Fr.), Devontae Armstrong (Fr.), Ian Moore (Fr.), Gabe VanSickle (Fr.)
If the Buckeyes are going to add another starter via a post-spring transfer addition, it would be on the offensive line. Simmons (left tackle), Jackson (left guard), McLaughlin (center) and Fryar (right tackle) are all expected to be starters, but the right guard position remains wide open entering the summer.
From an overall numbers standpoint, the Buckeyes have as many scholarship offensive linemen as they need. If they can find a transfer offensive lineman who could either be an upgrade for the fifth starting spot or provide more reliability as a top backup, they shouldn’t hesitate to make an addition. If they’re unable to find such a player, three potential candidates to round out the starting lineup are Hinzman, Tshabola and Montgomery while Fitzpatrick, Michalski, Siereveld and Padilla will be the main contenders to round out the two-deep.
Defensive Ends (8): Jack Sawyer (Sr.), JT Tuimoloau (Sr.), Mitchell Melton (R-Sr.), Caden Curry (Jr.), Kenyatta Jackson (R-So.), Joshua Mickens (R-Fr.), Eddrick Houston (Fr.), Dominic Kirks (Fr.)
Led by a standout pair of returning starters in Sawyer and Tuimoloau, Ohio State’s defensive end depth chart is strong from top to bottom.
Curry, Jackson and Melton give the Buckeyes a deep rotation of veteran edge defenders with playing experience. Houston, Mickens and Kirks give Ohio State promising developmental rushers for the future, with the five-star Houston being the most likely candidate among those three to push for playing time alongside the veterans in 2024.
Defensive Tackles (8): Ty Hamilton (R-Sr.), Tyleik Williams (Sr.), Tywone Malone (R-Jr.), Hero Kanu (R-So.), Kayden McDonald (So.), Jason Moore (R-Fr.), Will Smith Jr. (R-Fr.), Eric Mensah (Fr.)
Just like at defensive end, Ohio State sits at its target number of eight scholarship players at defensive tackle with a healthy mix of veterans and youth.
Williams and Hamilton form a strong starting tandem, while Kanu, McDonald and Moore are among the younger defensive tackles who have flashed between limited action last season and this spring. Hamilton and Williams are the only returning defensive tackles who have seen considerable playing time, which gives the Buckeyes reason to consider adding another veteran like Harmon, but Ohio State will still have a well-built roster of interior defensive linemen if it doesn’t add anyone.
Linebackers (8): Cody Simon (R-Sr.), Kourt Williams (R-Sr.), C.J. Hicks (Jr.), Sonny Styles (Jr.), Gabe Powers (R-So.), Arvell Reese (So.), Payton Pierce (Fr.), Garrett Stover (Fr.)
Ohio State courted a couple of linebackers during the first transfer window of the offseason, but the Buckeyes have less need for one now that Styles is a full-time linebacker. At a position where only two to three players have seen regular playing time in Jim Knowles’ first two years as defensive coordinator, eight scholarship linebackers is enough for the Buckeyes to have healthy depth.
That’s contingent on the availability of Pierce and Williams, who were both sidelined this spring by injuries, but it’s likely that most if not all of the snaps this year will be played by some combination of Simon, Hicks, Styles, Reese and Powers. Walk-on Joey Velazquez is also a legitimate depth option and candidate to play special teams as a former scholarship player at Michigan.
Cornerbacks (9): Denzel Burke (Sr.), Jordan Hancock (Sr.), Lorenzo Styles Jr. (R-Jr.), Davison Igbinosun (Jr.), Jermaine Mathews Jr. (So.), Calvin Simpson-Hunt (R-Fr.), Aaron Scott Jr. (Fr.), Bryce West (Fr.), Miles Lockhart (Fr.)
You won’t find many better depth charts at any position in college football than Ohio State’s cornerback depth chart. The Buckeyes couldn’t have drawn it up much better than it’s currently constructed.
Burke, Igbinosun and Hancock give the Buckeyes an excellent trio of returning starters. Mathews might be the best backup cornerback in the country, and the Buckeyes are high on Simpson-Hunt and Styles’ ability to contribute off the bench, too. Scott, West and Lockhart give Ohio State a talented trio of freshmen to provide third-team depth this year while developing for the future.
Jordan Hancock, Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun lead the nation’s best cornerback depth chart.
Safeties (6): Lathan Ransom (Sr.), Caleb Downs (So.), Malik Hartford (So.), Jayden Bonsu (R-Fr.), Jaylen McClain (Fr.), Leroy Roker (Fr.)
Ohio State already added the best player in the transfer portal in Downs, who will team with Ransom to form an excellent tandem of starting safeties. In terms of sheer numbers, however, safety is the position where Ohio State most needs to add another transfer – and could even add two transfers – for depth purposes. Ideally, the Buckeyes would like to have at least eight safeties on scholarship; with only six, they’re an injury or two away from being in a precarious spot.
As things currently stand, the Buckeyes have just three safeties with any playing experience at the collegiate level in Downs, Ransom and Hartford. That said, Bonsu and McClain both performed well in extended reps this spring, while walk-on Inky Jones has also demonstrated the potential to be a quality depth player despite his lack of a scholarship.
Specialists (2): LS John Ferlmann (R-Jr.), P Nick McLarty (Fr.)
Ohio State addressed its lack of punting depth with the late addition to the 2024 recruiting class of McLarty, who will compete with fellow Australian Joe McGuire – a walk-on – for the starting punting job when he enrolls at OSU this summer. Ohio State will also supplement its long-snapping depth this summer with the arrival of incoming freshman walk-on Morrow Evans, the top-ranked long snapper in the 2024 class, though he’ll start out his career backing up Ferlmann.
Assuming the Buckeyes don’t add five more transfers, Jayden Fielding would be a logical candidate to receive one of Ohio State’s five open scholarships as he enters his second season as the Buckeyes’ starting kicker.
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Auto parts maker to lay off 1,200 in Ohio amid fraud charges. Here’s where
First Brands closing corporate office in Cleveland, three other Ohio facilities amid bankruptcy. Its CEO is facing federal fraud charges
More incentives? Higher prices? What car buyers can expect in 2026
Auto industry experts predict car sales will be flat compared with 2025.
A major auto parts supplier is laying off more than a thousand workers and closing four facilities around Ohio, including its corporate offices in Cleveland.
First Brands, whose founder and former CEO is facing charges in multi-billion dollar fraud scheme, notified the state in late February of its intent to permanently close the facilities by April 30. The layoffs created by these closures are also permanent, according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notices filed with Ohio Job and Family Services.
The company — which supplies Fram oil filters and Anco wiper blades, among others — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2025. In January, First Brands had started winding down some of its operations in North America while seeking a buyer, according to Reuters. However, several potential buyers “have suddenly and unexpectedly withdrawn or narrowed their bids” according to one of the recent WARN notices.
Which facilities are closing? And how many jobs are being lost? Here’s what to know.
First Brands closing four Ohio locations, cutting more than 1,200 jobs
According to WARN notices, First Brands is closing the following facilities:
- Corporate Office, 127 Public Square, Suite 5300, Cleveland. In the first round of layoffs here, 146 workers were cut on Feb. 23, according to a WARN notice sent that date. A second notice dated Feb. 27 for this address advises that the facility will close on April 30, and the remaining 110 workers will be laid off.
- FRAM facility, 851 Jackson St., Greenville. According to a WARN notice sent Feb. 27, this facility will close April 30 and 302 jobs will be lost.
- TMD facility, 1441 N. Maule Road, Tiffin. All 407 employees will be terminated when this facility is permanently closed on April 30, according to a Feb. 27 WARN notice.
- TMD facility, 515 E. Gypsy Lane Road, Bowling Green. First Brands will also close this facility on April 30, laying off 302 workers, according to another Feb. 27 WARN notice.
In total, First Brands is laying off 1,267 workers in these four closures.
Indictment alleges Cleveland auto supplier CEO, VP defrauded lenders. Both plead not guilty
First Brands Group founder and former CEO Patrick James and his brother, Edward, a senior vice president, are accused of defrauding lenders out of billions of dollars before the auto parts supplier fell into bankruptcy according to an indictment made public Jan. 29 in Manhattan federal court.
The nine-count indictment includes charges of running a continuing financial crimes enterprise, bank fraud, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Both pleaded not guilty on Feb. 4, Reuters reports. A trial is set in July. Both could face decades in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors said the defendants “perpetrated a series of fraudulent schemes” against First Brands’ lenders and financing partners, Reuters reported, including allegedly inflating invoices, double- and triple-pledging loan collateral, falsifying financial statements and concealing substantial liabilities.
“It is very much Mr. James’ intent to go into court and proclaim his innocence,” said Scott Hartman, a lawyer for Patrick James, according to Reuters.
Patrick James and Edward James are Malaysian-born U.S. citizens.
Seth DuCharme, a lawyer for Edward James, told Reuters that his client is not going to “run off to Southeast Asia where he allegedly has all this money.”
What is First Brands Group? Company filed for bankruptcy in September
First Brands, founded in 2013, was one of the world’s largest suppliers of auto parts such as brakes, filters and lighting systems, according to Reuters. It had $5 billion in sales last year.
Prosecutors say First Brands borrowed billions to finance its growth. Those loans were secured by inventory and physical assets like plants and equipment. Reuters reports that this left First Brands vulnerable to cash flow issues and dependent on its access to the capital from those loans.
The company filed for bankruptcy in September 2025. Patrick James stepped down as CEO that October, according to Crain’s Detroit Business.
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2026 NFL mock draft 6.0: Ohio State defenders rise after stellar combines; edge rushers dominate first round
With the 2026 NFL scouting combine in the books, this year’s NFL Draft class is becoming clearer.
While the quarterbacks and wide receivers got the most attention at the combine, it was a group of defensive prospects that stood out this past week in Indianapolis. Specifically, Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese and linebacker Sonny Styles put together a fantastic series of workouts to move into the top three of our latest mock draft. But there were plenty of other defenders who stood out. This mock draft is littered with them in a deep overall class of defensive linemen and defensive backs.
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In this mock draft, Yahoo Sports’ Nate Tice makes the odd-numbered picks, and Charles McDonald makes the even.
More 2026 NFL mock drafts: 5.0 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.0
1. Las Vegas Raiders — Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Don’t overthink it. Barring some unforeseen path the Raiders take this offseason, Mendoza looks like the signal-caller of the future in Las Vegas. Mendoza checks a lot of boxes at QB, especially his overall size as Mendoza not only stands 6-foot-5 but weighed in at a strong 236 pounds in Indianapolis. And his sense of timing, ability to throw on the move, and willingness to push the ball are a great match for Klint Kubiak’s offense that constantly asks quarterbacks to work inside and outside of the pocket and into tight spots over the middle of the field. The Raiders’ skill position talent already has strong, young playmakers (maybe one more outside receiver would be nice!) who can help ease Mendoza’s transition to the next level.
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2. New York Jets — Arvell Reese, LB/EDGE, Ohio State
Some players who split time between two positions are “tweeners” who don’t really excel at either spot. A very small number of players who play two spots put up elite performances at both. Reese fits into the latter. He’s a true front-seven weapon who should excel wherever his future team puts him. He can cover, play the run and rush the passer, making him a rare and versatile linebacker prospect at the top of the draft. The Jets’ defense was so bad that someone who can plug multiple spots depending on the situation is exactly what they need.
3. Arizona Cardinals — Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Styles’ strong season had him already moving up draft boards, and an even stronger showing in Indianapolis only added rocket fuel to his rise. Styles’ range and smarts as an off-ball linebacker allow him to impact the run and pass, but he also has the length and strength to hold up as an edge rusher for snaps as well. The redbirds could look at offensive line here, too, but Styles’ ability to be a steadying force and impact player, with versatility thrown in, makes sense for any type of defense and franchise. But the Cardinals need stuff to build around. Plus there’s a nice bonus of it being an interesting fit for coordinator Nick Rallis’ knuckleball defense.
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4. Tennessee Titans — Rueben Bain Jr., Edge, Miami
Tennessee started rebuilding its defense in Robert Saleh’s image by swapping T’Vondre Sweat for the Jets’ Jermaine Johnson. Now Saleh can continue to build what his best Jets defenses had: premier defensive line depth. Adding Bain, who would be a perfect fit in Saleh’s defense, would give the Titans a heavy-handed player on the edge who has high-end athleticism to negate any arm-length issues his frame should bring up. Jeffery Simmons and Bain would be … a pain.
5. New York Giants — Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami
While there are other offensive tackles who are (spoilers for the next pick!) shooting up draft boards, the Giants go for Mauigoa. He could be the short-term and long-term answer for the Giants at right tackle or right guard. Mauigoa is a clean prospect with good hand usage and a strong build who can help the Giants’ offensive line from dipping after an underrated strong performance in 2025 (especially when Andrew Thomas was on the field). Perhaps he doesn’t have overwhelming athleticism. Still, he’s a player who allows the Giants to always have their best five offensive linemen on the field.
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6. Cleveland Browns — Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
This is a big-time jump for Freeling, but he has all the traits NFL teams drool over for offensive tackle prospects in terms of size and athleticism. The Browns, who are facing the potential losses of the vast majority of their offensive line to free agency, will need to completely rebuild that unit — which is a bit overdue, but not to this severity. Freeling gives Cleveland a dart throw to have strong left tackle play if he continues his trend of rapid improvement over the past year.
Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey helped his draft stock with a strong performance at the combine. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images)
(Lauren Leigh Bacho via Getty Images)
7. Washington Commanders — David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech
As tempting as it will be to add an offensive player of some kind here, with tasty options at offensive line, wide receiver, tight end and running back, the Commanders instead add firepower to a defense that has to get faster, younger and just straight up better. Bailey is an explosive pass rusher who is constantly attacking offensive tackles. He will never be a strong run defender, but he has long arms (measured at 33 ¾ inches at the combine) and has improved in that area. Bailey is the exact type of talent injection this defense needs.
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8. New Orleans Saints — Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
Tyler Shough will be getting a chance to show he can be the long-term quarterback this year, so shoring up the wide receiver room should be a priority. New Orleans is a bit thin in terms of premier skill talent after a few years of erosion, but Shough’s emergence gives them the ability to burn this pick on Tate, who should immediately step in as a legitimate starting option alongside former Buckeye Chris Olave.
9. Kansas City Chiefs — Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
WHHHEEEEE! The Chiefs have a few needs they could address here, but I think an offensive skill player of some sort is the way to go. And why not go with Love, one of the best overall players in this draft and a walking, talking explosive play who could boost a run game that has been hyper-efficient the past few seasons, but has had the same explosiveness as a wet firecracker. Love behind a Chiefs offensive line that could end up being one of the league’s better units and in an Andy Reid screen game has me salivating.
10. Cincinnati Bengals — Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
Cincinnati needs defense. Downs is arguably the best player in the draft. Whoever is the top defensive player available here, the Bengals should take him without thinking much about it. Downs’ position is the only reason he’s available here as safeties tend to slide down the board relative to their consensus rankings.
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11. Miami Dolphins — Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
Zone cornerback, meet zone coverage-calling head coach. Delane gets how to play the cornerback position. He’s smart and has a great feel for playing high-low concepts, with the quickness and burst to make plays on the football. He doesn’t have ideal length or top-end athleticism, but he gives the Dolphins and new head coach Jeff Hafley a young CB with pedigree to build around.
12. Dallas Cowboys — Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
Dallas needs to keep plugging away at the holes in its secondary and can get a high-upside prospect in McCoy here to get a corner who can take advantage of Dallas’ defensive line talent. McCoy has excellent ball skills and can be a more steady player than the boom-bust talents that occupied this secondary in the past.
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13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons) — Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
After dipping their toes in the Oregon tight end waters last draft with Terrance Ferguson in the second round and supercharging their multi-tight end looks, the Rams take the plunge with Sadiq. Yes, the Rams could add to their defensive backfield here, among other positions, but Sadiq would further weaponize a Rams offense that asks its skill players to do a bit of everything around the formation. Sadiq would give Sean McVay another field stretcher and yards-after-catch option while still deploying heavy bodies, with some grit as a blocker as a nice bonus. Sadiq would not only help the Rams for 2026, but he also shores up the position long-term for the Rams as they have several pending tight end free agents in 2027.
14. Baltimore Ravens — Vega Ioane, G, Penn State
Baltimore needs to add more high-end offensive line talent and Ioane may wind up being the only first-round caliber player on the interior this year. He perfectly fits the power running that Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have thrived with and is athletic enough to have versatility for new coordinator Declan Doyle as he begins to install his offense in Baltimore.
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15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Keldric Faulk, DL/Edge, Auburn
Faulk has an ideal build for a classic defensive end and fits the type of defensive ends that Todd Bowles has deployed in the past (Logan Hall, William Gholston). Faulk is young and still developing as a pass rusher, but he can be a needle-moving run defender right out of the gate as he polishes the rest of his game. Faulk’s versatility to move across the defensive line helps him fit in any type of scheme, but is a clean fit in Bowles’ defense. A strong option to help out for 2026, but a swing at something more for the Bucs while picking in the middle of the first.
16. New York Jets (via Colts) — Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
Another player for the broken Jets’ defense. Like his older brother A.J., a Pro Bowl cornerback for the Falcons, Avieon didn’t have the most explosive day at the combine (his 34-inch vertical ranked among the bottom third of CBs and his 10-feet, 3-inch broad jump was also in the lower tier in this group) but he still has the profile of a starting outside cornerback in the NFL, which is still an incredibly valuable thing to find. That works here for the Jets.
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17. Detroit Lions — Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah
While Giovanni Manu is still interesting to me, Lomu gives the Lions their Taylor Decker succession plan (and insurance for the 2026 season). Lomu has to continue to get stronger, but he has light feet, clean hand usage and the overall athleticism to stay on the left side and be a plus-blindside protector. Lomu has just turned 21, so a redshirt year under offensive line coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley while continuing to add to his frame could make this a perfect player-team fit for a franchise that seems like it’s about to start transitioning to phase 2 of the Dan Campbell tenure.
18. Cleveland Browns (via Vikings) — Spencer Fano, OT, Utah
The Browns jump up here in the draft to grab the falling Fano, giving them two offensive tackles in the first round of this draft. Freeling and Fano could grow into a formidable OT duo for the Browns and when a team has so few offensive linemen under contract with a restrictive salary cap situation, the draft is the best way to go.
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19. Carolina Panthers — CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Panthers could look to help out their trenches on both sides of the ball here, but they sorely need impact defensive players. Allen can be that solidifying force in the front seven who could help this defense finally step out of the doldrums. Allen’s intelligence, quickness, and overall two-way ability would help the Panthers shore up against the run and pass, while also having some blitzing juice to fit into coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defensive funkiness.
20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers) — Cashius Howell, Edge, Texas A&M
Another dip on defense, this time the Cowboys add to their defensive end rotation with the speedy Howell. He’s similar to some of the players they already have on the roster, but this is a decent enough range and he would benefit from a strong room of defensive tackles.
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21. Pittsburgh Steelers — Makai Lemon, WR, USC
I go back and forth with what kind of second wide receiver I would want to see in Pittsburgh in Mike McCarthy’s offense and across from DK Metcalf. While I’m personally higher on Denzel Boston than Lemon, I think Lemon’s quickness and route-running ability from the slot is actually a good fit for what I think McCarthy is going to want in his offense that has typically featured a steady heaping of quick-hitting passing plays. Lemon would also give Pittsburgh more yards-after-catch ability and a different flavor than Metcalf and the Steelers’ jumbo-size tight end room.
22. Los Angeles Chargers — Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
The Chargers go pure value here and take Woods, who was slotted as a top pick prior to the season. Woods has all the upside in the world to be an impact player on the interior and still flashed strong skills in a down year for the entire Clemson program. Woods would be a great young talent for the Chargers to add with the emerging Tuli Tuipulotu on the edge.
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23. Philadelphia Eagles — Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State
When picking for the Eagles under general manager Howie Roseman, defaulting to a pick in the trenches isn’t the worst bet. And something I agree with! Especially with long-time right-side stalwart Lane Johnson contemplating retirement seemingly on a weekly basis and other question marks potentially emerging along the rest of the Eagles’ line. I’m high on Iheanachor, who is a great athlete in a large frame, and I think he has more polish to his game than the “project” label he gets despite being a latecomer to football. And this might end up as his floor when April comes.
24. Minnesota Vikings (via Browns) — Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
After flipping down with the Browns, the Vikings take a big swing at defensive tackle with Banks. He isn’t a finished product, but he’s a lot more polished than most designated projects and was incredibly disruptive in the three games he played this season. His movement skills and footwork are incredibly rare at 6-foot-6, 330, but he struggles to finish plays off the penetration he creates. Brian Flores would be a great coach to land with in regards to fixing that and the Vikings would have the chance for the elite interior talent this defense has been missing.
25. Chicago Bears — Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
Left tackle is very live here for Chicago, but the Bears must look to add beef to their defensive interior. And what better person to add beef than someone with the last name McDonald. McDonald has good bulk and is a strong run defender who actually racks up tackles rather than just plodding in the middle with his quick feet and ability to consistently shed his block. He is just an average pass rusher, but can help shore up a run defense that was prone to leaks in 2025.
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26. Buffalo Bills — Denzel Boston, WR, Washington
The Bills clearly have a big need at wide receiver and can take another swing on a wide receiver early in the draft. Boston had 1,600 yards and 20 touchdowns over the past two seasons and profiles as someone who has a chance to be a big-bodied wide receiver who has a bit more skills than players the Bills currently have.
27. San Francisco 49ers — Blake Miller, OT, Clemson
The 49ers’ run game lost some venom last season despite a Herculean effort from Christian McCaffrey. Perhaps this is the season that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch add some pedigree to their offensive line. The 49ers paid Colton McKivitz and he’s under contract for a couple of more seasons, but Miller projects to be a tier or two better than McKivitz at right tackle. Miller’s agility makes him a good fit for a Shanahan offense. He played only the right side in college, but he has the athleticism and length to give the left side a shot in case the 49ers need a Trent Williams insurance/succession plan, too.
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28. Houston Texans — Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
Offensive line help arrives for the Texans, who take one of the biggest players in the draft who has a wide range of potential outcomes. Proctor is talented, but his play was a bit inconsistent this season and he’s a bit of an outlier in weight, at 370 pounds in-season for the Crimson Tide. Still, he’s an immense talent and is worth the swing at this point.
29. Los Angeles Rams — Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
NOW is when the Rams add to their defensive backfield, this time with Cisse, who my friend Derrik Klassen from The Athletic described as “a safety playing the cornerback position.” I think Cisse needs to improve in his game recognition, but he has the feistiness and explosiveness to help out somewhere, whether it’s on the outside or with a move into the slot (the Rams loved their dime personnel packages under d-coordinator Chris Shula). His scrappiness and tackling ability will give him fans.
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30. Denver Broncos — Akheem Mesidor, Edge, Miami
Another pass rusher for the Broncos because that’s what we do with teams at the bottom of a mock draft. Mesidor showed he can put heat on the quarterback on the edge and the interior of Miami’s defensive line, registering 12.5 sacks in the Hurricanes’ run to the national championship game. Pro Football Focus gave him a 92.5 pass rush grade, which is third among edge rushers. His PFF run defense score was 88.3, which ranked in the 91st percentile.
31. New England Patriots — KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
The Patriots could go offensive line, but they need to add explosiveness to their pass catcher corps. Hello, KC Concepcion! While DeMario Douglas has been able to contribute big plays from the slot, Concepcion could provide the type of yards after catch and downfield ability that would give Drake Maye an explosive option to work with (along with the improved Kayshon Boutte and explosive, but raw, Kyle Williams).
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32. Seattle Seahawks — Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
Seattle may have a bit of a shakeup in its cornerback room this offseason, so adding another cost-controlled, long-term deal in the room might make sense. Hood had a great workout in Indianapolis — Next Gen Stats ranked his athletic score fourth among cornerbacks at the combine — and was a productive player on the ball for the Vols’ pass defense.
Ohio
9 people injured, 1 critical, after Cincinnati mass shooting
Footage shows people run from Riverfront Live after shooting
Cincinnati police say nine people were injured after a mass shooting at Riverfront Live on March 1, 2025.
Enquirer media partner Fox 19
Nine people were injured after a shooting broke out at Riverfront Live on Cincinnati’s East Side early Sunday.
The shooting was reported about 1 a.m. March 1 at the Kellogg Avenue music venue on the border of East End and Linwood, according to Cincinnati Interim Police Chief Adam Hennie.
Dozens flooded out from inside the venue in a panic as gunshots rang out, according to a neighboring business’ surveillance camera footage obtained by Enquirer media partner Fox 19.
Eight of the people shot were taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center and one person was brought to Good Samaritan Hospital, Hennie said.
One person at UC Medical Center is in critical condition, according to hospital spokeswoman Heather Chura-Smith. Five people are in stable condition and two have been treated and released, she said.
The status of the person at Good Samaritan Hospital is unknown. Hospital staff declined to provide an update on the person’s status.
An event was in progress at the venue, Hennie said, but he did not say what it was. A description on the venue’s website lists it as a “nightlife concert venue.”
Mayor Aftab Pureval called the shooting “unconscionable” in a statement.
This story will be updated.
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