NFL Mock Draft: Sooners at the 2013 NFL Combine
Jan 22, 2013; Mobile AL, USA; Senior Bowl South Squad quarterback Landry Jones of Oklahoma (14) passing under pressure from defensive lineman Everett Dawkins of Florida State (93) during practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
One of the most important events for NFL prospects is the NFL Combine and the 2013 version takes place from Feb. 23-26 in Indianapolis. This year, six Oklahoma football players are headed to the combine, a few that are guaranteed a draft spot and a couple that might need a great showing in order to even get draft consideration at all.
Here is a look at who is going to the 2013 NFL Combine and where they should end up going in pre-Combine 2013 NFL Mock Drafts.
Lane Johnson, OT
Lane Johnson is the hottest Sooner player coming into the NFL this year. While it is doubtful he goes anywhere near the high spot that Trent Williams went in 2010 (fourth overall), he will end up as a first round pick with any kind of good showing in Indianapolis at all. At 6-7, 303 lbs and with a speed of a 4.7 in the 40, Johnson will be a highly sought after player. If he really impresses at the Combine, he could go Top 10. Expect him to go no later than the 11th or 12th spot, with either the San Diego Chargers or Miami Dolphins grabbing him.
Tony Jefferson, FS
This year’s Sooner class may have more players than any heading to the 2013 NFL Combine, but this is not one of the better classes when it comes to top of the line NFL prospects. While Tony Jefferson was an exciting player in the Sooners’ defense, he will always be compared to Roy Williams, a comparison he never lived up to. He is still a hard hitter, but lacks speed and misses too many tackles. A team will look at him in the third round, but don’t expect him to climb much higher unless something miraculous happens at the Combine.
Landry Jones, QB
Sam Bradford was the overall No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft and Landry Jones broke all Sammy’s records. However, Jones has never reminded fans of Bradford, making silly mistakes and cracking under pressure in big-time games. He has NFL size (6-4, 218), but he doesn’t come across as an NFL starting quarterback. He is smart and should make a nice backup for a team, but will probably fall to the third or fourth round. A solid Combine might push him to the lower second, but that is a long shot.
Kenny Stills, WR
Ryan Broyles tore his ACL and still saw his name called in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Kenny Stills is not Ryan Broyles. Stills is a quick receiver, who can play anywhere on the field, but he is not a superstar by any means. He is a solid role player and might make a team a good third receiver, but at that position he is a middle round pick at best. Unless he can show good route running and avoid drops at the Combine, he could find a team willing to take a chance. Otherwise, he is going to have to fight for a position for whoever drafts him.
Tom Wort, LB
One of the biggest shocks for the Sooners was when Tom Wort decided he was heading to the NFL. Wort has been a solid, if unspectacular linebacker for Oklahoma. However, he has been hurt a lot in his college career. Maybe he felt he needed to make the jump now before another serious injury hurt his chances even more. He has good instinct and is a class act but he is a long shot to even hear his name called. He is a late pick at best if he impresses at the Combine.
Stacy McGee, DT
The player with the most to prove at the 2013 NFL Combine is Stacy McGee. He was suspended numerous times at Oklahoma. He was arrested for marijuana possession in his junior year, was suspended for half of his senior year, and didn’t even get to play in the final bowl game of his college career after a DUI arrest. He has the athleticism to succeed at the next level, but his head is not in the right place. He will impress a lot of people with his skills, but his interviews will be the most important part of the Combine for McGee if he wants a team to gamble a pick on him.