NFL Draft
4/14/25
5 min read
Jordan Hancock 2025 NFL Draft: Scouting Report For Ohio State Buckeyes DB
Height: 6001 (verified)
Weight: 195lbs (verified)
Year: Senior
Pro Comparison: Dane Cruikshank
Scouting Overview
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Jordan Hancock offers some attractive versatility on the back end that should afford him ample opportunities to earn a roster spot. He’s ideally served to play in the nickel, thanks to a sturdy build and an improving run defense profile.
Hancock has sufficient length and wrap-up ability as a tackler but lacks appeal with coverage instincts to anticipate breaks and proactively claim space to play across the face of receivers. He’s got growth potential to lean on, and his pro day numbers boast impressive athleticism that can be further tapped into.
2025 NFL Combine Results
DNP
Positives
- Physical play demeanor is helpful for both playing press and deconstructing blocks
- Improved in each of his two seasons as a starter with the Buckeyes
- Coverage versatility to offer some value at safety in addition to in the nickel
Negatives
- Does not produce a lot of contested catches courtesy of his own creation
- Modest special teams profile with just over 100 career reps across kickoffs, punts, and return units
- Does not show anticipation of route combinations to shade and take away targets
Background
Hancock is from Suwanee, GA, and played high school football for North Gwinnett HS. Hancock was highly coveted as a high school recruit. He was classified as a 4-star recruit (247 Sports) and one of the top 50 recruits in the country. He initially committed to Clemson before flipping and converting his intentions to play for Ohio State.
Hancock committed to play for the Buckeyes as a member of the 2021 recruiting class. He would go on to play seven games as a true freshman in 2021 before missing half of the 2022 season due to a leg injury. He made his first career start late in that season before assuming a larger role for the Buckeyes secondary in 2023.
As a senior, he was a full-time starter for Ohio State, starting 15 times for the eventual National Champions. For his play, he was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
Tale Of The Tape
Hancock should have multiple pathways to a productive NFL career between his opportunities to play as a nickel and safety in the secondary. He’s a calculated player on the back end, so teams looking for more of a needle mover or splash defender may be left wanting by his demeanor and approach.
Hancock plays the game smoothly and slices in as a pursuit player to help finish plays and make tackles on the football. However, despite his sturdy size, he’s not a big-time striker and will make calculated tackle attempts that cut low and leave him at risk of dropping his head and coming up empty. He’s served primarily as a nickel and is used to fitting the D-gap, but motion checks and inverted coverages have put Hancock out into deep half assignments as a high-leverage player on the back end.
In both positions, Hancock lacks some of the required twitch in his transitions to jump plays and consistently create turnovers. He can be a half-step late to trigger on action in front of his face and does not key the quarterback or the run action as swiftly as some of his peers.
Jumpstarting this element of his game appears to be the key to unlocking his twitchy athletic profile — Hancock posted big-time explosion numbers and speed at the 2025 Ohio State Pro Day.
He projects as a sturdy run defender early, but the route recognition, angles out of his pedal, and ball skills should all be considered works in progress upon his leap to the pro game.
There’s a surprisingly modest special teams profile behind his nearly two years as a starter on defense. Hancock projects favorably for the kick coverage units for his hands and physicality to stave off blocks, his measured tackling, and his open-field speed.
However, with only sparing opportunities across his four seasons at Columbus, there’s a bit of a leap of faith required if you’re going to draft him earlier and expect game-day dividends as a rookie.
Ideal Scheme Fit, Role
Hancock projects best as a nickel defender at the NFL level. With his growth as a senior, he figures to be a high-upside bet but will need time and patience as he develops his route combination recognition skills to become more prolific in coverage.
Thanks to his tackling and short-area explosiveness, he projects favorably to a special teams role early in his pro career.
Grade: 69.50/100.00, Sixth Round Value
Big Board Rank: TBD
Position Rank: TBD
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