Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith could be poised to break a long-standing pattern in the NFL draft. For the past 30 years, the No. 1 overall pick has come exclusively from quarterback, edge rusher or offensive tackle. Smith, a 6-foot-4, 222-pound junior, has dominated since joining the Buckeyes as a freshman in 2024 and is having his best season yet. Through seven games in 2026, he has 52 catches, 984 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, ranking among the FBS leaders in each category.
ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid and senior college football writer Jake Trotter examined Smith's next-level projection. Smith combines size, top-level speed and reliable hands, and he averages 18.9 yards per catch, 15th in the nation. He has also made difficult catches in traffic, with 15 contested catches tied for second in the country and only one drop this season.
Smith's rise has been steady. As a true freshman in 2024, he led Ohio State with 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns, despite sharing a receiver room with future first-round picks Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate. Reid ranks him as his No. 1 overall player entering the 2026 season and sees no reason that would change before the draft, barring injury.
The analysts also weighed whether Smith could become the first receiver taken No. 1 since 1996 and which teams might be the best fit. Opposing defenses have tried double and triple coverage without success, a sign of how difficult he is to contain. The Buckeyes, ranked No. 2, face USC on Saturday.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing