Big 12- Oklahoma

Sam Bradford, QB. Jr- I would be willing to guess Sam Bradford really wishes he had come out early last year, instead of opting for another season. Unfortunately Bradford suffered the worst fate that can happen for a top notch prospect that decides to come back for another season, and he got hurt. It really gives me pause as the shoulder he has hurt is his throwing shoulder, which makes this that much worse. Even with this concern, I still keep going back to the previous two years of watching him play. I still stand by what I said last year in that I would have taken Sam Bradford number one overall in that draft. While the shoulder injury is a very valid reason to knock him from this pedestal, I think that you have to give him the benefit of doubt considering the value of the position he plays. He showed up physically bigger at the combine, and if his shoulder checks out fine and he throws well at his pro day, there is no question he should be the Rams choice at #1 overall. They have a glaring need for a QB, and I unequivocally think that Bradford is a franchise caliber QB. He’s the most accurate college QB I have seen in some time, and I don’t care if the naysayers will say he’s a system QB. For every spread QB that fails, there is a pro-style QB that fails as well. Throwing guys open is a skill that you either have or you don’t. You can coach guys to improve their accuracy, but there is a difference between being accurate and being precise with where the throw should be from a textbook point of view. Sam Bradford gives you that. I still think Ndamukong Suh is a better overall prospect, but Bradford is a top shelf prospect at a more important position, so he should take precedent.

Landry Jones, QB, rsFr- Jones has some growing to do, but has time for this. He is accurate in the short to intermediate and shows a good enough arm. It’s his deep throws that need work. He seems to have the arm, he just needs to know when to put it on a line or loft it up. He’s actually pretty good on the roll out, and will probably be doing a lot of that next year as his remaining OL does not look good. If he continue to progress, he could be right up there with the top QBs of his class.

Trent Williams, OT, Sr- Williams does not have the feet to play LT, but that doesn’t mean he can’t play RT. What worries me about his ability on the right side as well is that he doesn’t do a great job of recognizing blitzes, and he also lets guys get across his face too easily as well. On the plus side, once he’s locked in on a block, he can manhandle DEs. There are those small things that make me hesitate to think he should go in the top 15 picks, but he’s the best RT prospect of the first round area guys. I really liked when he showed his versatility in the Sun Bowl. With injuries causing major problems with the OL, Williams actually played center in this game. While by no means should he play this position at the next level, it did show his quickness and ability to get out of his stance and to the second level to make blocks. It’s why I think he’d ultimately be best suited for a zone blocking scheme. So while I would hesitate to take Willaims in the top 15 picks, I believe someone will (like the 49ers, who do make sense for fit and need).

DeMarco Murray, RB, Jr- I was very surprised to see Murray return for his Senior year as RBs can use as little wear on their bodies as possible at the next level, but it may have been a very smart business decision. With a solid year of being the feature back for Oklahoma, I think he can really push his grade up next season. Murray has incredible burst, and he hits top speed quicker than most backs I saw on film this year. Another big plus in Murray’s favor is that he has fantastic hands coming out of the backfield, which will push his grade up even further for teams like the Eagles and bears who throw to their backs a lot. The only concern I have with him is his durability at the next level. Murray runs a bit upright and is a leaner back. It’s not a huge deal though as he still gets good positive yards after contact, and he seems to know when to lower his shoulder to take a hit. If he can get a bit bigger and stronger this off-season and still maintain that top notch initial burst, he should be one of the better running backs in all of college football (if not the best). I have really liked what I saw in Murray the past two seasons, so I am expecting big things from him.

Chris Brown, RB, Jr- Brown is a between the tackles runner who does more with effort than natural talent. He’s not exactly the biggest runner though, which worries me that he will wear down quickly at the next level trying to make it between the tackles. He doesn’t show enough burst or flash, nor the hands, to warrant anything more than a late draft pick. He is the quintessential role player though, and I think he will find a way to contribute and make a roster as a third back and special teamer.

Brody Eldridge, TE/OC, Sr- Eldridge started the season at center and then moved to TE. It’s funny that this is the case as this is pretty fair description of him as a player. He’s too small to play OL and too slow to play TE. If anything, he’s a situational blocker at the TE position, but I don’t know if he’s worth spending a draft choice on. There are other TE’s that can be had late that are just as good at blocking as Eldridge but can also catch passes if needed.

Brian Simmons, LG, Sr- I like Simmons a lot as a sleeper guard pick. He gets great initial push off the LOS (line of scrimmage) and really moves the defensive lineman to the second level. The only knock I have is that he can overextend at times instead of sinking his hips more. It’s a simple knock though, and even though he’s not an outstanding pass blocker, he’s good enough that I think he can start in the NFL. Simmons can probably be had for a 6th round pick, and that would be an excellent value.

Adron Tennell, WR, Sr- Could make a nice possession receiver, but he’s not special. Late rounder at best.

Ryan Broyles, WR, So- Broyles is a bit shorter and smaller in stature than you’d like, but he’d make a great slot receiver. He’s a very good route runner, has great hands, and he’s quicker than he is fast. He can really makes plays in the open field though, and he’s tough enough to go right over the middle, take a shot, and get back up. Broyles seems to have a good connection with Landry Jones, so I’m excited to see what thepair of them can do over the next two years.

Gerald McCoy, DT, Jr- McCoy can easily be described in one word- Beast. He’s the best 3-technique I’ve seen since Sapp, which means I do think he’s better than Tommie Harris was when he came out. I’d even go as far as to say I think at this point in his career he has more natural talent than Sapp did (that does not mean I think he will end up being better than the potential HOF defensive tackle). He lives in the opposition’s backfield, he is so fast he’s almost impossible to single block, and even when double teamed he can split this easily. Teams actively schemed away from him yet he still managed to make plays and disrupt the offense with his quickness into the backfield. McCoy simply has everything: power, speed, technique, size, and great field awareness. It’s rare to see a draft where you can honestly say a DT may be one of the best, if not one of the top three, overall prospects. Yet in this class we have two DTs who are worthy of being mentioned as the top overall pick. The difference between Suh and McCoy is like picking between your favorite flavors of ice cream. They are both outstanding at what they do, but they do different things. What they do is make a difference on the interior of a defensive line, which is very rare and very valuable.

Jeremy Beal, DE, Jr- Beal will need to move to rush OLB at the next level but he can excel there. He is asked to drop into zone coverage at times in this defense and he showed he can peel and chase if needed, and he did a more than adequate job of covering backs on swing passes. Beal is an impact pass rusher with a great counter speed move. Once he corners, he closes the gap incredibly fast. He also does a good job with quick recognition and either bailing and covering the short throw or getting his hands up and blocking the low ball. If he can get stronger at the point of attack, it may change my thoughts on if he can or cannot play down DE at the next level. He should be one of the better returning pass rusher in next year’s draft though, and he has potential to push his way into the first round.

Auston English, DE/OLB, Sr- English is definitely an OLB in a 3-4 at the next level. He’s undersized but he does well because he’s relentless and never gives up on a play. He seems like an ideal guy for a team like the Pats, Jets, or Ravens in that he can play a few positions, he can rush the passer, and he plays the game hard at all times. His injury history is scary though, and this will push him down at least a round or two later than he probably should go. If a team can snag him in the 4th or 5th round, he’d make for an excellent developmental player and situational pass rusher.

Keenan Clayton, OLB, Sr- Clayton is poor in coverage, but decent against the run. Clayton’s biggest issue is his lack of instincts (especially in pass coverage). On the plus side, he does show decent speed on film, and is a solid tackler. He’s nothing more than a late rounder with upside to contribute on coverage teams.

Ryan Reynolds, MLB, Sr- I really like Reynolds. The major issue with Reynolds is he’s physically limited, and his instincts are good but not good enough to make up for this. I think he would definitely need to play in a 3-4 so he can be covered up a bit and not have to do everything in the middle on his own. On the plus side, it seemed as though in every game I watched (and I have seen well over 10 Oklahoma games over the past two seasons) he seems to always be around the ball. Reynolds is one of those old school gamer types that just doesn’t fit what you’d think is an NFL ILB, but he finds a way to stick around on a team for years and be a steady contributor. I don’t see him going earlier than the 4th or 5th round, and I think he’s going to be a solid but not spectacular player at the next level.

Travis Lewis, WLB, Jr- Lewis has all of the makings of a potential super star. He has unreal instincts, he reads his keys incredibly fast, and he has the speed and athleticism to really make impact plays when coupled with his field awareness. He does everything well and has everything you want in a first round caliber OLB. He can blitz, he has strong hands and stacks and sheds well in the run game, he explodes into his tackles and rolls his hips forward to take the ball carrier down securely, and he looks great in pass coverage. He reminds me of a young Lance Briggs or Derrick Brooks, the ideal WLB in a Cover-2. If he remains flat to what he showed this year, he’s still a first rounder. If he can get a bit bigger and stronger, he might just push his way into the top half of the first round.

Frank Alexander, DE, Jr- Alexander is a back up DE right now, but he’s got great promise. He will have a chance to start next year and I expect big things from him. He’s got good length, good size, long arms, and he can get after the passer. I think that with Beal, and Lewis, Alexander should see plenty of single blocks and he should really make a name for himself.

Brian Jackson, CB, Sr- This guy will make a great nickel corner for a team that likes to blitz. Jackson does a great job disguising the blitz off the corner and he knows how to get to the ball when he hits the QB to force a fumble. He shows fluid hips in his drops when playing in deep zone coverage, so he can cover as well. I think his stock will steadily rise come draft day, but I am a bit concerned about his injury history as he missed time this season. He’d be a great fit for a team like the Bears, who like to use the nickel back as an ‘enforcer’ at times by blitzing them off the corner.

Dominique Franks, CB, Jr- I was a bit surprised to see Franks declare early. But it’s not a terrible decision either. This year’s crop of corners lacks real star power, but has very good depth and Franks can be considered part of that. He’s a solid all around corner who is physical against the run and can cover as well. While I think another year to refine his technique would have been ideal, I don’t see Franks making it past the late second or early third rounds.

Quinton Carter, SS, Jr- I really like Carter and see him as one of the top returning safeties in all of college football. He’s effective in the pass and run game, he hits hard and makes guys think twice about coming over the middle, and he’s wraps up with good form on his tackles. Carter also showed the speed to get deep, so he’s versatile enough to play in a two-deep scheme as well. If he can maintain or improve even slightly, he should carry a first day grade (that being the old first day, so a 1-2 round grade).