COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio saw multiple draft picks come with Ohio connections during the opening round of the 2022 NFL Draft, with both offense and defense being represented.
Rd. 1: Pick 4 - New York Jets
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner, CB, University of Cincinnati
Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner is a Detroit native who played his college career as a cornerback at the University of Cincinnati. Gardner earned first-team AP All-American and American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors while finishing the 2021 season with 40 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, three interceptions and four pass breakups in 14 starts. He did not allow a receiving touchdown during his three-year career with the Bearcats.
WE GOT SAUCE.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 29, 2022
Welcome to New York, @iamSauceGardner!! pic.twitter.com/X0FBAfCnz9
Rd. 1: Pick 10 - New York Jets
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State University
Garrett Wilson spent his childhood in the Columbus area but moved to Austin, Texas in 2011. Wilson played three seasons at wide receiver for the Ohio State University, including punt returning duties. He was a second-team AP All-American and second-team All-Big ten selection in 2021 after tying for eighth in the FBS with 12 receiving touchdowns in 11 starts and returning punts.
MORE WEAPONS.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) April 29, 2022
Let's get it, @GarrettWilson_V!! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/9ahZ5Kg2T3
Rd. 1: Pick 11 - New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State University
Chris Olave is a California native and played four seasons at wide receiver for the Ohio State University. During his senior season with the Buckeyes, he received second-team AP All-American and first-team All-Big Ten, tying for sixth in the FBS with 13 receiving touchdowns to become Ohio State’s all-time touchdown catcher. Olave caught 65 passes for 936 yards, more than 14 yards per reception, in 12 starts for the Buckeyes. He also was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award for excellence on and off the field.
With the 11th pick of the #NFLDraft, the #Saints select Ohio State WR Chris Olave!#SaintsDraft ⚜️ @CoxComm pic.twitter.com/42WEciBo7X
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) April 29, 2022
The Cleveland Browns did not have a first round pick as a result of the trade to get quaterback Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans.
After making the Super Bowl, the Cincinnati Bengals had the 31st pick in the first round.
Rd. 1: Pick 31 - Cincinnati Bengals
Daxton Hill, S, University of Michigan
Daxton Hill played three seasons as a defensive back for the University of Michigan. Hill was a first-team All-Big Ten selection for his junior season in 2021, finishing with 70 tackles, 4.5 for loss, two interceptions and nine pass breakups while starting 14 games. Coming out of high school, he was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year after his senior senior.
🗣 Welcome to The Jungle, @daxhill5!
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 29, 2022
#RuleTheJungle | #RuleTheDraft pic.twitter.com/Rc90vAlOxg