Mike Renner of CBS Sports is out with his 2026 NFL mock draft 2.0 and Ohio State is well represented. Caleb Downs is projected as the No. 6 overall pick, which would be the highest for a safety in nine years (when Jamal Adams was also the No. 6 pick). Three other Buckeyes made the cut as projected first-rounders, including wide receiver Carnell Tate (No. 14 overall), defensive tackle Kayden McDonald (No. 30) and linebacker Sonny Styles (No. 31).

Here is what Renner wrote about Downs, who is well on his way to being a back-to-back first-team All-American selection:

Even if the Giants have a full-up secondary, Downs is too talented to pass up at this spot. He’s the kind of all-around defender you can line up anywhere in the back seven and he’ll get the job done. The Giants defense is close to being a dominant unit, and Downs would push them over the edge.

Here is what Renner wrote about Tate, who could become the sixth Ohio State wide receiver to be taken in the first round in the last five years:

Tate has risen in Emeka Egbuka’s stead as the high-end No. 2 across from Jeremiah Smith. He’s caught 12 of 14 targets for 219 yards and three scores in three games this season. He’s got the kind of vertical ability the Seahawks offense is missing.

Here is what CBS wrote about McDonald who is having an excellent season thus far as a first-time starter:

McDonald has taken over for Tyleik Williams as the run-stuffer on the Buckeyes defensive front, and it’s been like Williams never left. He overpowered the middle of Texas’ line in a big Week 1 win.

And here is what Renner wrote about the uber-athletic Styles:

Styles is Sean McDermott’s next Tremaine Edmunds: a jumbo athlete at linebacker who can run faster than any tight end he’ll be asked to guard. He’s a former safety who looks much improved in only his second season at the position.

Another OSU player that we think has a very good chance at being a first-round pick is junior linebacker Arvell Reese.

Can you guess who is projected as the No. 1 overall selection? That would be Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who transferred this year from Cal:

I had Mendoza No. 1 overall in my preseason mock draft, and after passing his first real test against Illinois over the weekend with flying colors, that’s not changing. The Cal transfer finished with 17 straight completions against the No. 9 Illini and now has 14 passing touchdowns (16 total) with no picks on the season.

Four other QBs are projected as first-round picks: LSU Garrett Nussmeier at No. 4 overall, Oklahoma’s John Mateer at No. 7, Oregon’s Dante Moore at No. 12 and TCU’s Josh Hoover at No. 25.

Keep it locked to Bucknuts for full coverage of Ohio State football.