Big Ten Roundup: Conference Produces Nine First-Round NFL Draft Picks

The Big Ten tied the SEC with a conference-high nine first-round NFL Draft picks on Thursday night, led by Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Big Ten football alumni had a busy Thursday night in Kansas City as their NFL dreams came true.

Led by Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2, nine players from the Big Ten heard their names called during the first round of the NFL Draft, which tied the SEC for most of any conference in 2023.

Here's a breakdown of 2023 NFL Draft picks from the Big Ten.

No. 2 – QB C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

• Stroud finished top four in Heisman voting in 2021 and 2022, passing for 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with a 69.3 completion percentage at Ohio State. He stands at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "A mature, highly intelligent, pocket-passer who makes smart decisions, does a phenomenal job of reading through his progressions and understands when to add zip or touch."

No. 5 – CB Devon Witherspoon, Seattle Seahawks

• Witherspoon was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year in 2022. In 12 games as a senior, the 6-foot, 181-pound cornerback made 41 tackles, 14 passes defended, three interceptions and 2.5 tackles for loss.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "Witherspoon has a quick trigger and excellent closing speed on short routes and screens. He’s also willing to come downhill and stop the run. He actively fights through wide receiver blocks and converts speed to power at the tackle point." 

No. 6 – OT Paris Johnson Jr., Arizona Cardinals 

• Johnson was a first-team All-Big Ten player for Ohio State in 2022. According to PFF, at 6-foot-6 and 313 pounds, Johnson allowed just one quarterback hit in his college career.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "Johnson is an excellent athlete who boasts high-level movement skills and power. His ability to pull and seal, lead block, climb, reach, and get to space indicates he can be used liberally. Additionally, he has the lateral agility and overall athleticism to mirror defenders before and after engagement."

No. 11 – OT Peter Skoronski, Tennessee Titans

• At 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, Skoronski won Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year for Northwestern in 2022. He was the only offensive tackle in college football with 830-plus snaps and six or fewer pressures allowed.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "Skoronski possesses exceptional athleticism, great passion and high character. His quick feet and fundamentally sound technique are two of his more favorable attributes."

No. 13 – EDGE Lukas Van Ness, Green Bay Packers

• Van Ness was a second-team All-Big Ten selection for Iowa in 2022 at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds. He made 70 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss and 13.0 sacks in 2021 and 2022.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "He fires off the line with a quick, low, explosive drive that helps him win the initial leverage battle. Van Ness loads power with his compressed lower body before exploding into the lineman. He successfully builds and maintains speed and momentum on stunts. The Iowa product’s powerful hands and upper body stun offensive linemen."

No. 18 – LB Jack Campbell, Detroit Lions

• Iowa's second first-round pick, Campbell was the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year in 2022 at 6-foot-5 and 249 pounds. He made 299 total tackles in his Iowa career.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "An all-world tackler, Campbell uses length, range, and instincts to impact the game. Useful blitzer that uses downhill explosion to disrupt the quarterback's timing or pop in his pads to displace linemen."

No. 20 – WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

• Smith-Njigba hauled in 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns as sophomore at Ohio State in 2021, including 347 yards and three touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. A hamstring injury limited the 6-foot-1, 196-pound receiver to three games in 2022.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "Though he was buried behind two 2022 first-round draft selections in the 2021 season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba showed excellent agility and route running to go with above-average lateral burst and work after the catch. While his overall speed, play strength, and hands do not move the needle, Ohio State’s new top receiver is a high-floor player who can start early in the NFL."

No. 24 – CB Deonte Banks, New York Giants

• The 6-foot, 197-pound cornerback was an All-Big Ten honorable mention for Maryland in 2022, making 38 tackles with eight passes defended and one interception.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "He’s a well-built corner with good but not elite arm length. Banks has the mass and play strength to contribute as a run defender. He challenges wide receiver blocks with aggressive hands and fights through them to the ball carrier."

No. 26 – DL Mazi Smith, Dallas Cowboys

• One of the most physically-imposing players in the Big Ten last year, the 6-foot-3, 323-pound defensive lineman was a first-team All-Big Ten selection for Michigan in 2022.
• SI NFL Draft Bible: "Smith is a freakishly athletic and powerful interior defensive lineman capable of wrecking running games and providing interior pressure. Still, he needs to play with better leverage and show development in his pass-rush plan."