The NFL has released the league’s Top 100 Players for the 2022 season, and six former Buckeyes are featured among the honorees.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is the top-ranked Buckeye, checking in at No. 25 on the list. He finished last season with 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles, and though the 49ers’ season ended in the NFC Championship Game against the Los Angeles Rams, Bosa still finished with 1.5 sacks in the loss.
The next Buckeye on the list could take issue with his ranking, as Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa – older brother of Nick – was No. 30 on the list. Joey finished with 10.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles in 16 games for the Chargers, and he moved up from No. 32 on last year’s list.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward was the next Buckeye on the list, moving up to No. 42 from No. 57 last year. Last season was Heyward’s 11th in the NFL, and he turned in one of his best campaigns with 89 tackles, 10 sacks, nine pass breakups and a forced fumble in 17 games.
The only offensive player on the list was Los Angeles Chargers center Corey Linsley, who maintained his ranking of No. 60 on this year’s list. Linsley was named Second-Team All-Pro and was selected to the Pro Bowl last season.
Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward was next up at No. 87, making his debut on the NFL Top 100. Ward finished last season – his fourth in the NFL – with 43 tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions, one of which he ran back 103 yards for a touchdown.
The final Buckeye on the list was New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who fell to No. 89 from No. 86 last year. Lattimore had a career-high 68 tackles and finished with three interceptions, the most since he nabbed five picks in his rookie season in 2017.
Former Ohio State players on last year’s list that did not make the cut this year are New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas, who was No. 72, and Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young, who was No. 61 in his first appearance on the NFL Top 100. Both Thomas and Young missed time last season with injuries.
