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To the surprise of absolutely no one that has been paying attention this season, on Sunday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported that Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins had officially received a first round projection from the NFL college personnel advisory board.
Ohio St. QB Dwayne Haskins received a first round projection for 2019 NFL Draft from the NFL's college personnel advisory board, according to league and school sources. He is discussing his options with coaches and family but still plans to play in Rose Bowl, sources added.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) December 23, 2018
Draft-eligible college football players are able to request information from the board to get a general sense as to where they are expected to go in the NFL Draft. Haskins’ position is to be expected, as he has moved up the draft boards of pretty much every prognosticator. Nearly all legitimate mock drafts now have Simba going in the top 10, if not the top 5.
Earlier this month, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. pegged him to go seventh over all, SBNation’s Dan Kadar has Haskins at fifth, as does The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iyer. The main question surrounding Haskins’ draft position at this point is whether or not he will be the first quarterback taken. Oregon’s Justin Herbert is the other QB currently in contention.
In addition to Haskins, the Buckeyes are expected to have another early-first round pick in Nick Bosa, the anticipated first overall selection.
As Haskins has said since winning the Big Ten Championship Game, he still reportedly plans to play in the Rose Bowl against the Washington Huskies on Jan. 1, and will make a decision about his remaining collegiate eligibility thereafter; although, at this point, it would be shocking if he did not declare for the draft.