Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers picked in the last 5 NFL draft

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Ohio State Buckeyes wide receivers picked in the last 5 NFL draft

Angel Atienza-Romero · The Big Lead

Wed, Apr 29, 2026 ·

7 min read

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Few programs in college football have built a reputation for producing elite wide receivers quite like the Ohio State Buckeyes. Over the last five NFL Drafts, Ohio State has turned its wide receiver room into one of the most respected pipelines in the sport, consistently sending polished, high-level talent to the first round. As highlighted by CBS Sports , six Buckeye receivers— Garrett Wilson , Chris Olave , Jaxon Smith-Njigba , Marvin Harrison Jr. , Emeka Egbuka , and Carnell Tate—have either been selected or are projected to be selected in the opening round from 2022 through 2026, a remarkable stretch that reflects both recruiting excellence and elite player development. Each player brought a different skill set to Columbus, from Wilson's explosiveness and Olave's smooth route-running to Harrison Jr.'s dominant all-around game and Tate's rising star potential.

What makes this run especially impressive is the consistency. These were not isolated prospects or one exceptional recruiting class—they represent a sustained standard of excellence under Ohio State's offensive system and wide receiver development.

NFL teams have come to trust that Buckeye receivers arrive prepared, technically advanced, and ready to contribute early at the professional level. Whether lining up as deep threats, slot technicians, or true No. 1 outside targets , these players have carried the same expectation: immediate impact. This streak has not only strengthened Ohio State's national brand, but it has also set a modern benchmark for receiver development in college football, proving that the Buckeyes remain the gold standard at the position.

Garrett Wilson — New York Jets (10th overall, 2022)

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) warms up during an NFL Week 10 game between the New York Jets and the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Credit: © Julian Leshay Guadalupe/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Garrett Wilson reestablished Ohio State as a true first-round wide receiver factory when the New York Jets selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. A dynamic route runner with elite body control and sudden change-of-direction skills, Wilson left Columbus after posting 143 receptions, 2,213 yards, and 23 touchdowns in just three seasons. He was widely viewed as the kind of receiver who could separate at all three levels of the field and immediately become a quarterback's security blanket. For the Jets, he represented more than a draft pick—he was expected to become the foundational No. 1 target for a rebuilding offense, and he quickly justified that belief with high-end early production.

Chris Olave — New Orleans Saints (11th overall, 2022)

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (12) waves to fans after scoring a touchdown against New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Chris Olave came off the board one pick after Wilson, giving Ohio State back-to-back first-round receivers in one night and reinforcing the program's national reputation for elite pass-catchers. Olave was the polished technician of the group—an effortless vertical separator with outstanding pacing, precision, and football intelligence. He finished his Buckeye career as one of the school's most accomplished deep threats, known for turning routine routes into explosive plays with subtle movement and timing. For the Saints, he arrived as a ready-made pro, the type of receiver whose refinement suggested a smooth transition to the NFL from day one.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Seattle Seahawks (20th overall, 2023)

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field. Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Jaxon Smith-Njigba entered the league with perhaps the most unique résumé of the group, thanks largely to one of the greatest receiving seasons in Ohio State history in 2021. Even while sharing the field with Wilson and Olave, he posted 1,606 receiving yards and consistently looked like the most uncoverable option on the field, especially from the slot. His game was built less on pure speed and more on elite spatial awareness, short-area quickness, and an advanced understanding of leverage and timing. Seattle viewed him as a modern high-volume separator—someone capable of moving chains, controlling tempo, and eventually becoming a centerpiece of the passing game.

Marvin Harrison Jr. — Arizona Cardinals (4th overall, 2024)

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) walks off the field after the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Marvin Harrison Jr. entered the 2024 draft as one of the cleanest wide receiver prospects of the decade, and Arizona selecting him fourth overall reflected exactly that. With prototype size, rare catch-point dominance, and the technical polish expected from the son of a Hall of Famer, Harrison looked like a franchise-changing talent long before draft night. At Ohio State, he blended explosive playmaking with remarkable consistency, often making difficult sideline catches and contested grabs look routine. For the Cardinals, he was not simply a top prospect—he was viewed as the future WR1 and a player capable of immediately reshaping the offense around him.

Emeka Egbuka — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (19th overall, 2025)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Raymond James Stadium. Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Emeka Egbuka extended the Buckeyes' remarkable streak when Tampa Bay selected him 19th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, making it five straight drafts with a first-round Ohio State receiver. Unlike some of the flashier outside threats before him, Egbuka built his reputation on reliability, versatility, and polish—qualities NFL teams trust immediately. He left Ohio State as the program's all-time leader in receptions with 205 and second in receiving yards with 2,868, a reflection of both production and consistency across multiple seasons. Tampa Bay valued him as both a present contributor and a long-term investment, someone capable of thriving in the slot while also expanding across the formation as the next generation of the Bucs' passing attack.

Carnell Tate — Tennessee Titans (4th overall, 2026)

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs in a touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines in the second half of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Credit: © Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Carnell Tate became the latest elite Ohio State receiver to hear his name called early in the first round when the Tennessee Titans selected him with the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. A smooth, long-framed playmaker with outstanding ball skills, Tate developed into one of the most polished outside receivers in college football, combining vertical explosiveness with the body control needed to consistently win in contested situations. His route-running matured significantly during his time in Columbus, and evaluators praised his ability to create separation without relying solely on raw speed, a trait that often translates well to the NFL. For Tennessee, Tate represented the kind of true WR1 prospect franchises build around—a receiver capable of changing coverages, elevating quarterback play, and becoming the centerpiece of the passing game for years to come.

Conclusion

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Lumen Field. Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Ohio State's first-round wide receiver streak is more than an impressive statistic—it is proof of a program built on elite development and sustained excellence. From Garrett Wilson to Carnell Tate, each player reflects the Buckeyes' ability to prepare receivers for the highest level of football. As long as that standard remains in place, Ohio State will continue to be the premier destination for future NFL stars at the position.

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