The Ohio State Pro Day kicks off Wednesday in one of the most anticipated workouts on the NFL Pro Day schedule. The Buckeyes boast three potential first-round picks, including a pair of top-10 choices and another trio of players expected to be selected on Day 2. There expects to be 118 representatives from 30 NFL teams on hand for OSU’s Pro Day, including 10 general managers and seven head coaches.

The Pittsburgh Steelers were always expected to have a large contingent in Columbus, but Dan Quinn, John Schneider, and Scott Fitterer were also all seen out and about Tuesday evening.

Here’s the early word from on the ground, including updates on Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr.

Pro Day News and Rumors | Ohio State Pro Day Takes Center Stage

C.J. Stroud, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Set To Headline

As posted on Twitter yesterday, Harrison is expected to participate in today’s workout and will be one of the targets Stroud throws passes to. This will give teams the ability to do some advanced scouting on Harrison, who is expected to be a top-10 selection in 2024. NFL Network’s James Palmer confirmed there “will be plenty of eyes” on Harrison already.

Stroud will, of course, be the center of the show, and the Carolina Panthers already “met” with Stroud, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Prospect Watchlist

I’m told the Buckeyes draft-eligible receiver, Smith-Njigba, is preparing to run the 40 today. Smith-Njigba ran the shuttles and three-cone at the Combine, posting sensational marks of and 3.93s and 6.57 seconds, respectively.

Don’t expect blazing times from Smith-Njigba when he runs today — something possibly in the range of the high 4.4-second area. He’s football fast, not 40 fast. And for those keeping track, Smith-Njigba dined with the New York Giants on Tuesday evening.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers’ brain trust took a private jet to Columbus, Ohio, from yesterday’s Iowa State workout. When they arrived, they cornered the market on the Buckeye linemen. The Steelers had dinner with offensive tackles Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson Jr., as well as center Luke Wypler.  Also at the meal was pass rusher Zach Harrison.
One note on Wypler. The Combine results at NFL.com incorrectly listed his 10-yard split as 1.83 seconds. The official report sent to NFL teams has a time of 1.73 and 1.74 seconds as the 10-yard splits on his 40 attempts. This is a significant difference for a center that most project as a zone-blocking lineman.

Cade Stover is Also Set to Participate on Wednesday

Junior tight end Cade Stover will also participate in pro day and catch passes from Stroud. Stover initially had designs on entering this year’s draft, but a late-season injury, which I was told he suffered during the semi-final playoff contest against Georgia, made him reverse course.

Paris Johnson Stars in Offensive Line Drills

Offensive line drills are over. Dawand Jones did not participate.

Paris Johnson was nothing less than spectacular. He showed great bend, athleticism, and agility. During pulling drills he moved like a very athletic defensive end. His footwork in pass protection drills was outstanding. Johnson looked every bit like the top offensive lineman in this draft and a top-10 pick.

The New York Jets ran both Johnson and center Luke Wypler through additional offensive line drills. Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel kept close watch while this was going on.

Wypler also had a fine day. He wasn’t as athletic or quick compared to his teammate yet very much looked like he has starting potential on Sunday for a team that needs a center.

Zach Harrison Shows Athleticism

Zach Harrison looked smooth and athletic. He easily moved through the bags and had a quick, fluid change of direction. He did wear down a bit and didn’t show much punch. Harrison has a long, thin frame that he has to add bulk to.

I thought Tarron Vincent, a Shrine Bowl participant, looked really good. He’s not as athletic as Harrison nor as long but is super quick and moved with balance. Vincent told PFN during an interview at Shrine practice, the rotational style used by the Buckeyes on the defensive line made it difficult for him to get into a rhythm during games.

As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the dynasty rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of Deon Jackson.

Deon Jackson’s Dynasty Outlook and Value

My initial thought was to completely dismiss the notion of Deon Jackson ever mattering. The problem with that outlook is he did matter…a lot. Granted, it was a very short period of time, but during that time, Jackson was a must-start RB2.

In 2021, Jackson signed as a UDFA and exclusively played special teams as a rookie. Even earning a role on an NFL roster is a major accomplishment for a UDFA.

As a sophomore, his role was exactly the same. Jackson was technically the Indianapolis Colts‘ RB3 behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, but he only played special teams.

MORE: Dynasty Rankings 2023 — Top Fantasy Options at Running Back

Then, in Week 5, a very specific series of events forced Jackson into a featured role. Taylor was out with an ankle injury, and Hines was concussed on his first touch of the game. The Colts were down to two UDFAs, Jackson and Phillip Lindsay.

Jackson ran well, carrying the ball 13 times for 62 yards. He also caught all four of his targets for 29 yards. When Taylor and Hines were unable to return the following week, Jackson operated as the Colts’ RB1. In fact, he finished as the overall RB1 that week, scoring 28.1 fantasy points.

Indianapolis traded away Hines at the trade deadline, and Taylor never really got right after aggravating his ankle injury in Week 13 (and again in Week 15). But Jeff Saturday was more inclined to push the newly acquired Zack Moss as the team’s lead back ahead of Jackson.

Deon Jackson’s Fantasy Ranking

The thing with Jackson is we have no idea what the new coaching staff will do at running back behind Taylor. Fantasy managers should have no aspirations of Jackson potentially becoming the lead back if Taylor leaves in 2024. That’s not going to happen. But if Jackson is able to win the RB2 role, at the very least, he’ll have RB handcuff value. It would be enough to justify rostering him in deeper dynasty leagues.

Ultimately, Jackson is not a must-roster RB right now. There are likely several options available with more plausible upside. With that said, I’m not ready to completely write off a 24-year-old RB who has proven capable of producing at the NFL level when given volume. Still, I’m not exactly looking to select Jackson in dynasty startup drafts. He’s currently our RB81 (No. 240 overall) in our dynasty Superflex rankings.

As we inch toward the new season, the ever-changing NFL landscape has player fantasy values constantly on the move. Whether you’re used to the dynasty platform or are still learning the rules, let’s dive into the latest dynasty fantasy football value of Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Dynasty Outlook and Value

One of the biggest mistakes in the history of my fantasy career was underrating how much of 2017 Kareem Hunt stemmed from Hunt being good at football. Taking Edwards-Helaire in the first round of 2020 redraft leagues was the epitome of bad process.

By all accounts, CEH was not a particularly good prospect. He had one good collegiate season playing with Joe Burrow in arguably the most talented college offense of all time.

Edwards-Helaire is slow (4.6 40-time) and undersized at 5’7″, 207 pounds. He profiled as a satellite back, at best.

MORE: Dynasty Rankings 2023 — Top Fantasy Options at Running Back

The Chiefs tried the bell-cow thing with him in 2020, and he was fine. CEH totaled 1,110 yards from scrimmage and averaged 13.5 ppg in fantasy. That would end up being his best season.

CEH only played in 10 games in each of his past two seasons, but that’s not why he struggled to matter in fantasy. The Chiefs were already looking past him for superior options.

In 2022, Edwards-Helaire’s snap share was 6% and 8% in his final two games before getting hurt, and he was headed toward being inactive weekly, regardless of injury.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s Fantasy Ranking

The former LSU Tiger is still just 24 years old, and I’m not about to declare his career over. But he is in the final year of his rookie contract, and there’s no shot the Chiefs pick up his fifth-year option. Edwards-Helaire should get another opportunity somewhere, but unless they cut him, it won’t be on the Chiefs, and it won’t be until 2024.

It still feels a bit hasty for fantasy managers to outright cut CEH, but if someone dropped him in a league I was in, I wouldn’t pick him up.

We currently have CEH at RB46 (No. 143 overall) in our dynasty Superflex ratings. That feels a bit high. And by a bit, I mean a lot. There’s no realistic round in which I’d select him in dynasty startup drafts.