The name of DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle will be contested by Alabama fans. The LSU fans will be quick to mention JaMarr Chase, Justin Jefferson, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr. However, it is difficult to disregard what the Buckeyes have done in recent years. Since Garrett Wilson became the inaugural winner of the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, Ohio State wideouts are already making a splash in the NFL.
The following is a list of the best Buckeye receivers in the league today – placed in order of Jaxon Smith-Njigba through Curtis Samuel. (Note: Jameson Williams, who moved to Alabama in the form of a transfer, and then to Alabama, prior to the draft, is not counted.)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks
Drafted: 2023, No. 20 overall
A bit of patience was required but Smith-Njigba has established himself as the go-to man in Seattle. Spending time with DK Metcalfe in 2024 led him to become much bigger, and now he is doing well as the undoubted No. 1 target of Sam Darnold. Former first rounder is moving towards career highs once again this season.
He still does not match McLaurin or Wilson in terms of accomplishments that he has achieved in his career but should teams be tasked to choose one Buckeye receiver of the present, Smith-Njigba may be the first to be listed.
Garrett Wilson, Jets
Drafted: 2022, No. 10 overall
Wilson did not take long to show that he is a fit. The shaky quarterback play did not prevent him because he started his career with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in New York. The 2022 first-rounder has increased the number of his touchdowns two-fold in 2024 and is still capable of making highlight-catches that can only be made by a true No. 1 receiver.
However, his full potential is yet to be realized by the Jets. Having a more consistent QB play or another trustworthy weapon by his side, Wilson may even become the 1,100-yard mark.
Terry McLaurin, Commanders
Drafted: 2019, No. 76 overall
The most established Buckeye wide out in the league is McLaurin. He has piled six 1,000-yard seasons, two Pro Bowl invitations and he had all of it with a rotating door of quarterbacks in Washington. Hard, steady, and hardy, he has been the best offensive weapon of the Commanders so long.
McLaurin is in his 30s and remains productive but is slowly ceding ground to other young talents such as Smith-Njigba and Wilson.
Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers
Drafted: 2025, No. 19 overall
Too soon to crown him? Maybe. But Egbuka already looks like one of them. According to the scouts, he was among the safest picks in the 2025 draft, and the initial indications in Tampa Bay could show that he could be even greater than he is being touted.
The national champion is a quarterback who has a tendency of hitting the end zone and extending the field. In case his hot start persists, he may be the next Buckeye rookie to be followed by Wilson and Smith-Njigba to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals.
Drafted: 2024, No. 4 overall
Harrison is the few college wideouts to join the NFL with such a hype. And his first year as a pro was not so bad 885 yards and eight TDs, however, he only caught 53.4 percent of his 116 targets.
The drops have been transferred to Year 2 and it begs the question how soon he can become an elite player as many thought. The Cardinals continue believing that he can be that superstar but he is yet to reach his stride.
Chris Olave, Saints
Drafted: 2022, No. 11 overall
Olave was selected in the league a pick later than Wilson and the two appeared to be bound in comparisons over years. He left more than 1,100 yards as a rookie and supported it with 1,000-yards season. However, he was slowed down by recurrent cases of concussions in 2023, and his output has been varied since then.
The shaggy offense of the Saints has not given it a boost, yet when he is healthy, Olave is a formidable weapon. It is still unclear whether he will ever be able to achieve his heights in the early stages of his career.
Curtis Samuel, Bills
Drafted: 2017, No. 40 overall
Samuel might not have become the star that Carolina wanted, but he has established a firm eight-year career. In 2020, he had the best season with 851 yards with the Panthers. He would later post consecutive 600-years in Washington and then made a switch to gadget position with the Bills.
Although he is not among the new generation of stars of Ohio State, Samuel has a talent to be versatile and sticky.
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