The Oklahoma Sooners haven’t had a first-round pick in the NFL draft since [autotag]CeeDee Lamb[/autotag] and [autotag]Kenneth Murray[/autotag] were selected by the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers. Over the last two draft cycles, their highest selections with the last pick in the second round with [autotag]Creed Humphrey[/autotag] and [autotag]Nik Bonitto[/autotag] going to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at No. 64 overall.
This time last year, it was looking like the [autotag]2022 NFL draft[/autotag] would be another huge boon for the Oklahoma Sooners as [autotag]Spencer Rattler[/autotag] was projected to be the first overall pick. Just goes to show how much can change in one offseason.
In way-too-early season for the [autotag]2023 NFL draft[/autotag] however, it’s looking like the Sooners might break their first round pick drought. After [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag] was selected in the first round of the CBS Sports‘ and Fox Sports 2023 mock drafts, Anton Harrison is receiving some first-round love from Mike Renner of Pro Football Focus. Harrison is selected No. 11 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers in this mock draft.
Harrison is an athletic 6-foot-5, 309-pounder who has already shown well in pass protection. In his first year as a full-time starter, Harrison earned an 85.6 pass-blocking grade. – Renner, PFF
What’s notable about this is that Harrison is the first offensive lineman taken in the draft and the sixth offensive player selected, four of which are quarterbacks.
There are tools that stand out for Harrison as an offensive tackle. He’s got good size, speed, and agility and improved a lot from his 2020 season when he was a rotational tackle to becoming a full-fledged starter in 2021.
If he can improve yet again in the 2022 season, it’s not outside the realm of possibility to see the talented offensive tackle taken in the first round. Harrison plays a premier position and has the requisite size and ability to be a difference-maker for an NFL offense.
It’s incredibly early to make any kind of proclamations, but this provides an idea of where Harrison stands in the eyes of NFL draft analysts.
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