With the Bengals on a bye week this week, and Ohio State traveling to face the defending National Champion Indiana Hoosiers, it feels like a good time to sneak a little draft talk into the mix. There are a ton of talented skill position players in this game, including Heisman favorite Jeremiah Smith.
However, the Bengals are not going to be in the market for a first round wide receiver. Even if they were, they are not going to be in a position to take Smith. Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh are ultra-talented
receiver prospects for the Hoosiers, but enough about the skill players.
Austin Siereveld
Siereveld has played all over the line for the Buckeyes the last few seasons. He has experience playing everywhere but center for Ohio State. Ultimately, his best position may be at guard at the next level. The Bengals Dalton Risner is playing good football, but is scheduled to be a free agent after the season.
The Bengals drafted Brian Parker II in the sixth round, and he will have an opportunity to be a future starter somewhere on the Bengals line. When you want to compete for Super Bowls, you will need depth on the offensive line regardless. A player like Siereveld with his versatility should be of interest to every team in the league.
Amare Ferrell
Jordan Battle is coming off a really solid performance against Miami. However, that doesn’t take away from some of his early-season struggles in the secondary this season. Battle still misses too many tackles and is scheduled to be a free agent after the season. The Bengals could decide to bring in another day two safety to fill his spot.
Amare Ferrell is an experienced safety prospect for the Hoosiers, having already eclipsed 2,000 snaps during his career. He has good enough size for the position at 6’2” and 205 pounds. He possesses impressive ball skills with 8 interceptions over the previous two seasons. Ferrell is a player to keep an eye on at safety. The Buckeyes have a couple of players at the position that could be mid-round draft selections also. Those guys are Earl Little Jr. and Jaylen McClain.
Jermaine Mathews
Mathews is another experienced defensive back. He has played over 1,600 career snaps earlier at corner. He has the flexibility to play in the slot or on the outside. He currently has a 76.0 coverage grade during the 2026 season. He played pretty well going up against the Texas Longhorns’ talented receivers during week two. This week will be another big test for Mathews against Becker and Marsh.
Mathews doesn’t have the greatest size at around 5’11” and 195 pounds, but he is a physical player. Mathews is a more than willing tackler, instinctive in zone coverage, and should test fairly well at the combine this year. The Bengals will have a decision to make at corner with both DJ Turner and Dax Hill scheduled to hit free agency after the season. Even if they bring both of those guys back, you can never have too much depth at the corner position.
I would expect an early-round investment at the position come April.
Other draft-eligible prospects to note for Ohio State: Julian Sayin (QB), Ja’Kobi Jackson (RB), Jeremiah Smith (WR), Devin McCuin (WR), Brandon Inniss (WR), Luke Montgomery (OG), Carson Hinzman (OC), Kenyatta Jackson (DE), Qua Russaw (DE), Beau Atkinson (DE), John Walker (DT), Eddrick Houston (DT), James Smith (DT), Christian Alliegro (LB), Payton Pierce (LB), Jaylen McClain (S), Earl Little Jr. (S), Terry Moore (S)
Other draft-eligible prospects to note for Indiana: Josh Hoover (QB), Turbo Richard (RB), Lee Beebe Jr. (RB), Charlie Becker (WR), Nick Marsh (WR), Carter Smith (OL), Drew Evans (OG), Joe Brunner (OG), Bray Lynch (OC), Tobi Osunsanmi (DE), Stephen Daley (DE), Chiddi Obiazor (DE), Tyrique Tucker (DT), Mario Landino (DT), Rolijah Hardy (LB), Isaiah Jones (LB), Jamari Sharpe (CB)
