[Lefty Noob]

Big day for THE Ohio State University on Saturday, with five former Buckeyes going in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft. A.J. Hawk went fifth to the Packers, Donte Whitner went 8th to the Bills, Bobby Carpenter went 18th to the Cowboys, Santonio Holmes went to the Steelers at #25 and Nick Mangold became a NY Jet with the 29th selection. What do you guys think about these former OSU standouts, how will they -- and the other Buckeyes drafted this past weekend -- translate into the NFL?

[cjg11582]

They should all excel, the only one I am mildly skeptical of is Carpenter, but he is with Parcells who knows how to get the best out of his players. Several experts think Mangold is better at his position than fellow Jets first round pick, D'Brickshaw Ferguson; who was drafted fourth overall based on potential (which is asinine too me).
Donte whitner going 8th overall, while I like it The Bills are a little inept at maximizing efficiency. If that is the guy they really wanted they could have traded down to the twenties to someone who was really in the market for a D-lineman or quarterback and still have drafted Whitner in addition to what they would have received with dropping in the first round. The Bills love their OSU DB's, after this draft it makes four that will have played for them in the past three years with Whitner Youbody (Whom they drafted in the third round) Nate Clements and Antoine Winfield (Now on The Vikings).
Holmes was an absolute steal for The Steelers. Most people do not realize what a talent he is due to that ever looming shadow of Ted Ginn. But it would not surprise me at all if Holmes is the better pro. I am really looking forward to watching The Steelers next year.
As for AJ Hawk, the guy is a monster. I always contested if The Texans did not want to draft Reggie Bush, they should have traded spots with The Jets for both of their first round picks and drafted Hawk fourth overall, who will probably have a bigger impact on the game than Mario Williams based on the nature of his position (Linebacker) versus Williams' (Defensive End).

[Lefty Noob]

Holmes was an absolute steal for The Steelers.

Absolutely agree with you on this one, cjg. I too felt that he has more pure pro potential than Ginn, and was vastly underrated due to Ginn's potential to be another do-everything, Reggie Bush type. Holmes was just a pure WR, and in my opinion he was far and away the best overall player at his position in the draft.