Game of the Week: No shortage of NFL talent in this edition of Bedlam
Each week during the season, Chad Reuter and Rob Rang will analyze the biggest game of the week featuring NFL prospects as part of the weekly Draft Slant product from NFLDraftScout.com.
Game of the Week: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma, Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET
The Sooners and Cowboys quickly stumbled out of the national title picture because of injuries, suspensions and other issues, but few games include more NFL prospects than the 2009 edition of Bedlam in Norman. Oklahoma's season was derailed by injuries to quarterback Sam Bradford and tight end Jermaine Gresham, who are still potential first-round draft picks next April. The Cowboys haven't won this rivalry game since 2002, but are 9-2 playing without star junior wide receiver Dez Bryant and a fully healthy Kendall Hunter at running back. OSU quarterback Zac Robinson (No. 11, 6-3, 218, 4.82-yard dash) also missed last week's game, but may return from a concussion suffered against Texas Tech despite his shoulder still being sore as well. But even with Robinson in the game, the Cowboys' passing attack has been less than explosive without Bryant. Sophomore wide receiver Hubert Anyiam leads the team in receptions, with running back Keith Toston (No. 5, 6-0, 214, 4.57) second, followed by Bryant (17 catches, 323 yards, 4 touchdowns in three games).
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| Quarterback Zac Robinson looks to get the Cowboys' passing attack back on track against Oklahoma. (Getty Images) |
The offense really runs through Toston and a healing Hunter right now. Toston is coming off a 172-yard effort in the comeback home win against Colorado, running behind top senior left tackle Russell Okung (No. 76, 6-5, 302, 5.26) and center Andrew Lewis (No. 54, 6-4, 292, 5.23).
The Sooners' defense has also struggled with injuries as tackle DeMarcus Granger and end Auston English are out and inside linebacker Ryan Reynolds won't play with a hamstring injury. But most teams would love to have Oklahoma's depth, as it still rolls out a top NFL prospect in junior Gerald McCoy, tall and quick junior tackle Adrian Taylor and pass rusher extraordinaire Jeremy Beal (11 sacks), a junior end. Lewis' strength and footwork will be tested by the quickness of McCoy and Taylor, and the matchup between Okung and Beal is important for the draft grade for both players. Okung is not considered a dominant pass protector or run blocker, but may have the best combination of both of any senior offensive tackle. Beal's ability to use leverage against taller tackles to push them back or disengage, as well as his consistent second and third efforts in coming after the quarterback, presents a strong challenge for Okung.
Even without Reynolds, the Sooners' linebackers will come to play against OSU's running and passing games. Sophomore Austin Box, a high-motor, intelligent player in the mold of Reynolds, takes over in the middle. Although a bit undersized at outside linebacker and not quite quick enough to switch to safety, Keenan Clayton (No. 22, 6-1, 221, 4.68) has showed exceptional athleticism in coverage and tracking down backs from behind. Redshirt sophomore Travis Lewis isn't a dominating force, but has a ton of speed to burn and leads the team with 99 tackles.
The other top senior tackle, Trent Williams (No. 71, 6-5, 318, 5.30), suits up on the left side for Oklahoma. Williams' improvement as a pass protector during his first season on the blind side, taking over for 2009 Minnesota Vikings second-round pick (and starting RT) Phil Loadholt, makes some scouts think he could play there next year (which could place him over Okung on draft boards). Most still consider him best on the strong side, however, because of his dominating strength as a run blocker.
Cowboys junior defensive end Ugo Chinasa has the length to get around Williams if his footwork isn't up to par. Sooners left guard Brian Simmons (No. 74, 6-4, 318, 5.19) missed time with an injured right knee, but shouldn't be overlooked in this Tackle Battle Royale; he has the athleticism and strength to be a starter in the NFL.
Redshirt freshman Landry Jones needs Williams and Simmons to step forward, as injuries to center Ben Habern and right guard Brody Eldridge are stretching the team's depth up front. He also needs NFL-sized but underachieving wide receiver Adron Tennell (No. 80, 6-4, 200, 4.45), sophomore Dejuan Miller and junior Brandon Caleb to be more sure-handed since explosive future NFL slot receiver Ryan Broyles, a redshirt sophomore, can't be Jones' only reliable target. Broyles' 67 catches for 861 yards and 12 touchdowns is almost twice that of Oklahoma's No. 2 receiver, junior running back DeMarco Murray.
OSU cornerback Perrish Cox (No. 16, 6-0, 198, 4.44) leads the FBS in passes defended with 19 (four interceptions, 15 pass breakups) and meets NFL size and straight-line speed requirements to be a top 50 pick. His return skills (six career scores; four on kickoffs, two on punts) are a nice bonus. However, scouts are concerned about his stiff hips and lack of suddenness against quicker receivers, so they'll pay close attention anytime he's lined up on Broyles. Easing those concerns by staying with Broyles could push him towards the first round. Cornerback Terrance Anderson (No. 23, 5-11, 180, 4.49) is feisty and has two interceptions this season while free safety Lucien Antoine (No. 31, 6-1, 215, 4.58) is not shy about making his presence felt, popping receivers coming into his area or coming downhill in run defense. Murray is also Oklahoma's second-leading rusher behind starter Chris Brown (No. 29, 5-11, 200, 4.54). Brown has been a steady, if unspectacular, ball carrier, who is efficient using blocks from his line and fullback Matt Clapp (No. 34, 6-2, 246, 4.70) but doesn't have great vision or breakaway speed. The 6-1, 214-pound Murray has more speed and runs over defenders when given the chance, but hasn't stayed healthy when carrying the load.
The Cowboys' front seven will gear up to slow down the run, forcing Jones and his inconsistent receivers to beat them downfield. Veteran defensive tackles Derek Burton (No. 98, 6-3, 282, 4.78) and Swanson Miller (No. 90, 6-4, 300, 5.09) aren't as athletic as OU's defensive tackles, but they are good enough to cause trouble for Simmons and the inexperienced right side of the Sooners' offensive line.
Also waiting for Brown and Murray will be Andre Sexton (No. 20, 6-0, 224, 4.58), a projected strong safety playing the strong-side linebacker position next to leading tacklers Donald Booker (No. 44, 5-11, 236) inside and Patrick Lavine (No. 4, 6-2, 226, 4.73) on the weak side. Sexton's aggressive tackling and quick diagnosing ability allows him to regularly appear around the ball and excel in covering slot receivers and tight ends. Booker lacks the height scouts like, but if those senior defensive tackles do their job he's very reliable as a between-the-tackles defender and is effective getting to the passer on inside blitzes (five sacks in '09). Lavine, a four-year starter, has also displayed for scouts an all-around game with 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and five interceptions in his senior season.
Prospect of the Week
WR Brandon LaFell, LSU (6-3, 205, 4.54) One of the more bizarre endings to a big-time SEC football game in recent memory never would have occurred without LaFell's secure hands and concentration to latch on to a desperation onside kick against Ole Miss last Saturday. Then, moments later, he showed again why he is likely to be drafted in the first round with a quick catch and strong run off a receiver screen. The grab, LaFell's fifth on the day, went for 26 yards and put LSU, down by two, at the Mississippi 42-yard line with 45 seconds left and two timeouts left. That the Tigers were unable to take advantage did nothing to harm LaFell's stock with scouts. There are few receivers of his size with the quick feet and feel for tight quarters to make these two plays. LaFell's great strength after the catch, as he broke tackles and dragged defenders to put the Tigers in position for the game-winning field goal, reminds scouts of former Tigers wide receivers and NFL first-round picks Dwayne Bowe and Michael Clayton. Considering his lateral agility and balance, LaFell is actually considered a better overall athlete than his predecessors, easing some of the concern that comparisons to these relatively disappointing wideouts bring.
LaFell is far from a flawless prospect, however. He has only marginal straight-line speed and has struggled with drops. Scouts would also like to see LaFell show more recognition when his quarterback is being pressured. On multiple occasions this year, LaFell has floated across the middle looking back toward his passer rather than recognizing the holes in coverage to settle or turn upfield to give a deep target.
For a receiver with his starting experience, LaFell is still relying too much on his natural ability, rather than technique. -- Rob Rang
Chad Reuter is a Senior Analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by the Sports Xchange. Rob Rang contributed to this story.
