Jack Sawyer NFL Draft Prediction: Top 3 landing spots for Ohio State DE after breakout Cotton Bowl performance

Defensive end Jack Sawyer made the play of the year for the Ohio State Buckeyes on Friday, forcing a Quinn Ewers fumble and taking it back 83 yards for the game-sealing touchdown. The 28-14 win over the Texas Longhorns guaranteed the Buckeyes a spot in the College Football Playoff Championship.

The senior came up big in that drive, pressuring Ewers a play before, forcing an incompletion. Sawyer and the Buckeyes will play the national championship game on Jan. 20, but the play against Texas may have boosted the Pickerington, Ohio native’s draft profile.

The 2025 NFL draft will be loaded with edge rushers, such as Penn State’s Abdul Carter, Ole Miss’ Princely Umanmielen, Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. and Georgia’s Mykel Williams.

Top 3 landing spots for Ohio State DE Jack Sawyer

The senior defensive end has helped his draft stock throughout the postseason. Jack Sawyer arrived at the Cotton Bowl with seven tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Against Texas, he added four tackles, the sack and the scoop-and-score, which should drive his stock even further upwards. According to the NFL Mock Draft database, he was expected to go at the bottom of the first round before this week's games. With his performance against Texas, he could go even higher. Here are three likely landing spots for Sawyer.

Jack Sawyer's mad dash should improve his draft stock. - Source: Imagn

#3. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons pick No. 15, which could feel a little high for Jack Sawyer. However, Atlanta has an obvious need for a pass-rusher and other top prospects might get drafted before the Falcons are on the clock.

Raheem Morris’ defense ranked 31st in sacks per game, with 1.6. Sawyer could make an immediate impact for a unit that has talent at linebacker and in the secondary but simply can’t get to the quarterback.

#2. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati might be picking closer to Sawyer’s projected range after the Cotton Bowl at No. 17. The Bengals defense was disappointing in 2024. It finished 25th in yards and 26th in points allowed. Part of the issue was that DE Sam Hubbard battled through injuries and could be let go.

Sawyer looks like a younger version of Hubbard: a high-motor edge rusher who uses power and has enough versatility to move around. Playing opposite NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson would also help Sawyer avoid double teams.

With the Bengals changing defensive coordinators for the 2025 season, it's still unclear who is replacing Lou Anarumo. From a personnel standpoint, the Ohio State product makes perfect sense.

#1. Detroit Lions

This looks like a perfect match. The Lions have had a barrage of defensive injuries this season, including leading pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson. Without Hutchinson, Detroit finished 23rd in sacks.

Jack Sawyer’s style of play would fit perfectly into Dan Campbell’s coaching style and give the Lions another edge rusher. With Za’Darius Smith on the roster, Sawyer could join the rotation in 2025, adding depth to an undermanned defense.