2014 NFL Draft: Best case scenarios for Oklahoma’s prospects

Oct 12, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Damien Williams (26) runs with the ball with a lead block from center Gabe Ikard (64) against the Texas Longhorns during the Red River Rivalry at the Cotton Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Today is the big day. The 2014 NFL Draft begins tonight with the first round airing on ESPN. While the Sooners are not expected to see any names called until Day Two, we take one of our final looks at who will and who won’t get drafted over the weekend.

Tonight’s first round is expected to be a positive one for the Southeastern Conference, who have a handful of players that could be taken within the first ten picks.

Regardless, the Sooners will look to light up the later rounds with a few seniors who helped OU to knock off Alabama in the 2014 Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Here is our rapid-fire, confidence meter for each player with the potential to be taken (in alphabetical order). The percentage is how confident I am in this projection.

Brennan Clay, Running Back

• 5’10”, 196 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 957 rushing yards, six rush touchdowns
• Best Case Scenario: Un-Drafted Free Agent
• Prediction: Un-Drafted Free Agent
• Reasoning: Solid back in college, but never separated himself from the rest of the pack on a consistent basis. Still has a good shot to be picked up in free agency.

Aaron Colvin, Cornerback

• 5’11”, 177 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 55 tackles, one sack, one interception
• Best Case Scenario: 4th-5th Round
• Prediction: 6th Round
• Reasoning: Injury, or no injury, Colvin is a great CB who was a major obstacle to any offense. He’s worth the risk, however, he will likely hear his name late in to Day Three.

Lacoltan Bester, Wide Receiver

• 6’0″, 205 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 392 receiving yards, two rec. touchdowns
• Best Case Scenario: Un-Drafted Free Agent
• Prediction: Un-Drafted Free Agent
• Reasoning: Bester made a few nice plays, and has the potential to evolve in to an even better receiver. Scouts do not seem to be high on him, however, and I would not be shocked if he doesn’t get a contract offer at all.

Gabe Ikard, Center

• 6’3″, 304 pounds
• Best Case Scenario: 3rd Round
• Prediction: 4th Round
• Reasoning: Ikard has all the intangibles to succeed at the next level. His skill set makes him one of the best centers coming in to the league, though, he appears to be a mid-round guy at best. Still should see a fruitful NFL career with the right organization.

Trey Millard, Fullback

• 6’2″, 247 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 97 rushing yards, one touchdown
• Best Case Scenario: Late 4th Round
• Prediction: Sixth Round
• Reasoning: Millard has the build of an NFL back, however, his durability is a big question mark. He’s the top-ranked FB in his class, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see him taken in the mid-rounds, but it just seems unlikely with an injury ending his senior season early.

Corey Nelson, Outside Linebacker

• 6’1″, 220 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 27 tackles, one sack, one interception
• Best Case Scenario: 7th Round
• Prediction: 7th Round
• Reasoning: A great leader, I anticipate a team willing to use a pick on Nelson. He had solid career with the Sooners, and was the leader of the defense before suffering a season-ending injury.

Jalen Saunders, Wide Receiver

• 5’8″, 165 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 729 rec. yards, 8 rec. touchdowns
• Best Case Scenario: 6th Round
• Prediction: 6th Round
• Reasoning: Even though he’s undersized, some NFL team will see Saunders still on the board and use a pick on him. He’s too much of a playmaker to risk waiting for free agency.

Damien Williams, Running Back

• 5’11”, 222 pounds
• 2013 Stats: 553 rush. yards, 7 rush. touchdowns
• Best Case Scenario: 7th Round
• Prediction: 7th Round
• Reasoning: Williams was dismissed from the team, but he still was a difference maker for OU’s run game. He had a decent 40-time (4.45) and would have a serviceable build for an NFL running back. However, his off-the-field issues may raise some flags and send Williams to free agency.

Bronson Irwin, Roy Finch, Tyler Evans, Gabe Lynn, Jaz Reynolds, and Austin Woods will hope to be picked up in free agency.

The NFL Draft starts tonight at 7 p.m. CST on ESPN. Coverage will continue Friday night at 7 p.m. with Day Two ending  at 11:30 p.m. Day Three will pick up at 11 a.m. and run in to the night.