With just two weeks until the 2022 NFL draft, draft experts and scouts across America are working overtime evaluating prospects, sharing information, and keeping their ears close to the ground. As front offices finalize their draft boards, they’re trying to stay in tune with all the latest movements and rumors about prospects as we get closer to the moment of truth.
For the Oklahoma Sooners looking to get drafted, it becomes quite simple. Up to three possible Sooners will have the chance to likely be selected in the first three rounds of the draft. [autotag]Perrion Winfrey[/autotag], [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag], and [autotag]Brian Asamoah[/autotag] have been routinely selected in rounds two and three of NFL mock drafts. [autotag]Marquis Hayes[/autotag] and [autotag]Isaiah Thomas[/autotag] have an outside shot at joining them as well.
Winfrey solidified himself as a second-round pick with his Senior Bowl performance, which led many to believe he was held back at Oklahoma. If properly utilized we may have seen Winfrey go first round. That wasn’t the case. However, it was evident how talented Winfrey was along the defensive front for the Oklahoma Sooners.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper sees a player that wasn’t necessarily utilized in the best way. In his latest mock draft, Kiper has Winfrey heading to the Minnesota Vikings with pick 46 (ESPN+).
Winfrey is more of a classic 3-technique penetrating tackle, and he was one of the biggest risers after his performance at the Senior Bowl. Linemen couldn’t block him. He didn’t always get the chance to create havoc at Oklahoma. Winfrey could be great next to nose tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. – Kiper, ESPN
Previously, we saw Winfrey and Bonitto both mocked to Atlanta. The common denominator is that these teams need impactful day-one starters along the defensive line and that’s exactly what Winfrey offers. Winfrey has the size, speed, and length to set a firm foundation on a depleted Vikings defensive line. His tenacity is something that defensive line coaches and defensive coordinators are going to love at the next level and in the right scheme, Winfrey will have a chance to be a big-time player his rookie season and beyond.
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