OU 2017 NFL Draft Recap By: Ryan Lewis Posted on: May 1, 2017

Image via USA Today

Another NFL draft has come and gone, and several more Sooners have gone to the next level. This is nothing new – OU has been sending players to the NFL consistently for years. The Sooners are fourth all time in NFL draft picks, and have been steady in recent years as well.

During Bob Stoops’ tenure at the University, no Big 12 team is even close in NFL Draft picks.

This year saw four former Sooners drafted, four sign free agent deals, and one honorary Sooner sign a free agent deal.

 

Draft Picks

The four drafted, in order, were: Joe Mixon, Dede Westbrook, Samaje Perine, and Jordan Evans.

 

Joe Mixon went as the 16th pick in the 2nd round (48th overall) to the Cincinnati Bengals. He is a top tier running back. Mixon has the size to run between the tackles, the quickness to get around the edge, the speed to take it to the house, the hands to factor into the passing game… the man can do it all.

Mixon’s stock was all over in recent months; everything from mid first round to undrafted seemed to be possible. While I’m sure you’re all as sick of hearing about it as I am, whoever drafted Mixon was sure to come under scrutiny. However, if Mixon continues on the path he’s created the past couple of years, his natural talent and hard work will carry him far in the league. With Jeremy Hill entering the final years of his contract, one would have to assume that the Bengals are hoping Mixon can solidify himself as their starting back going forward.

 

Dede Westbrook was the next Sooner drafted. The Jacksonville Jaguars picked him up 3rd in the 4th round (110th overall). The Biletnikoff winner, like Mixon, had both off-field drama and a wildly changing draft stock over the past few months; the Jaguars felt that his upside outweighed this. The latest in a line of small, sure-handed receivers out of Norman, Westbrook is a scoring threat whenever he’s on the field. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him used in the return game for Jacksonville. His speed and quick double moves often left him with a lot of green at OU. And for those telling you he’s not strong enough for the NFL…

 

Samaje Perine was picked up 4 short picks after Westbrook at 114th overall. The Washington Redskins picked up the strong back to gain yards and run hard. Despite some seeing all the carries Perine has shouldered as a deterrent, he will get a chance to show off how he became the single game rushing leader in NCAA history.

Perine will be in a battle with Rob Kelley to start for the Redskins in the backfield, and should see ample touches regardless.

 

Jordan Evans was the last Sooner drafted this year. He joined Joe Mixon with the Bengals as the 9th pick of the 6th round (193rd overall). After a rough start to his senior campaign, Evans turned out an incredibly productive second half of the season. Although he didn’t get an invitation to the NFL Combine, he turned heads at OU’s Pro Day; his numbers there would have been near the top for linebackers at the Combine. Evans will bring that athleticism to the Bengals and help a defense that had trouble defending the middle of the field last year. Although it seems unlikely that he will start this year, he should provide excellent depth for the Bengals.

 

Free Agents

Along with the four Sooners drafted, four Sooners signed free agent deals this weekend.

– Geno Lewis joined Mixon and Evans at the Bengals.

– Ahmad Thomas went to the Oakland Raiders.

– Jordan Wade joined Thomas at the Raiders.

– Charles Walker went to the New Orleans Saints.

The item of note here is the Charles Walker signing. After ending his time at OU midseason to focus on the NFL draft, going undrafted is tough. Hopefully all four Sooners to sign free agent deals go on to succeed.

In addition to these four, former Sooner Trevor Knight signed a free agent deal with the Arizona Cardinals. It will be interesting to see what position the Cardinals want to use him at.

 

What were your thoughts from the NFL Draft?