3 draft prospects with ties to Chase Young for Commanders

2. Nicholas Petit-Frere

The Buckeyes aren’t known for pumping out elite offensive line prospects, but they’ve had at least one drafted in eight of the last nine years. That streak figures to continue this month when Nicholas Petit-Frere hears his name called.

Petit-Frere played left tackle for the Buckeyes this past season, but he has experience at right tackle, where he started for most of the shortened 2020 campaign. That versatility will play just fine in the NFL, so it’s not surprising he has pre-draft visits lined up with the Titans, Bills and Buccaneers.

The former Buckeye didn’t help his stock at the Combine, but he rebounded with a positive showing at OSU’s pro day, ripping through 24 reps in the bench press and posting a 30.5-inch vertical, six inches higher than he jumped in Indianapolis.

At 6-foot-5 and 315 pounds, Petit-Frere played like a readymade offensive lineman this past season. On top of being an Outland Trophy semifinalist, which is given to the nation’s best interior lineman, he was a first-team All-American and allowed just two sacks on the year, according to Pro Football Focus.

Petit-Frere will need to develop before he can be trusted as an NFL starter, but his blend of versatility, size and speed makes him a compelling fourth-round pick (No. 113) for the Commanders if he’s still hanging around.