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Joey Bosa News Already Drastically Alters 2016 NFL Draft

By Erik Lambert

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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Joey Bosa (97) in action against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

It’s still months and months away from becoming must-see television but already the 2016 NFL draft  took on a colossal shift.  For the past few months, draft experts have put together a rudimentary idea of what the top 100 board will look like for next April and almost every one of them hold the same opinion.

Ohio State edge rusher Joey Bosa is a beast and is in firm contention to go #1 overall.

At least that looked like the case before recent news dropped.

So far the reasoning why the Buckeyes were willing to put their defensive star on the bench for the first game of the seasons remains in-house, stating it has to do with a violation of “athletic department policy.”  Sources for ESPN however have offered a clearer explanation.

"“A source told ESPN’s Joe Schad that the suspensions were due to marijuana and academics. Ohio State cited a violation of athletic department policy in announcing the bans.”"

Now college kids will be college kids and not all of them will be choir boys at this time of their lives, but when it comes to being a top 5 draft picks it takes more than just being really talented.  Maturity, making good decisions and having a productive final year in college are paramount as well.  Bosa is off to a really bad start this season.

Missing a game is bad enough, but imagine if he doesn’t come close to the 13 sacks he posted as a sophomore?  Teams will immediately go to that suspension and wonder about his work ethic.  This is the reality of the draft process.  It may or may not be overreacting, but when teams are about to throw a rare high draft choice and millions of dollars into a player, they want to be completely sure it’s the right decision.

Drugs, bad grades and disinterest in getting better are the fast track to falling down the board come draft day.  Ask Randy Gregory, the most recent victim of that cold truth.  There is still time for Bosa to regain his momentum, but rest assured his grip on the top of the 2016 NFL draft just weakened in a big way.

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