Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton joins former Sooners in Mel Kiper’s 2024 NFL mock draft

In his first Mock Draft for the 2024 NFL Draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper sends Tyler Guyton to join former Oklahoma star.

The 2024 NFL draft is just a few months away. Prospects have begun training for their individual workouts, and the NFL scouting combine. The highest-rated prospect for the Oklahoma Sooners this draft cycle is offensive tackle [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag].

Guyton has a chance to be selected in the first round this April. In Mel Kiper’s first mock draft for ESPN (ESPN+) on the 2024 NFL draft, he has Guyton joining former Oklahoma Sooners [autotag]Kyler Murray[/autotag], [autotag]Marquise Brown[/autotag], and [autotag]Marquis Hayes[/autotag] in Arizona.

We’re finally back to Arizona, which almost certainly thought this pick would be much higher when it made the trade with Houston last April. I gave the Cardinals a WR1 at No. 4 overall, and this pick could be a way to solidify their bookends, as they drafted Paris Johnson Jr. at No. 6 a year ago. Johnson spent his rookie season on the right side, but he’s suited to play left tackle, as that’s where he played his final season at Ohio State. Guyton, however, spent almost all of his time at right tackle for the Sooners; he allowed zero sacks in 2023.

As I wrote in my scouting report on Guyton, NFL teams will covet his physical tools, even though he started just 15 games in college. – Kiper, ESPN

Kiper’s doing what he can to provide Kyler Murray with the tools to take the next step in his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Providing Murray with Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 4 overall gives the Cardinals another fantastic wide receiver threat that can do it all. Guyton to Arizona gives Murray an ascending tackle who excels as a pass protector.

Guyton would be the second Sooner in as many drafts to be selected in the first round, following [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag]’s selection by the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 27 overall last year.

It would be quite the feather in the cap for offensive line coach [autotag]Bill Bedenbaugh[/autotag]. [autotag]Tyler Guyton[/autotag] started his career as a defensive lineman before switching to tight end at TCU and then offensive tackle. When he arrived in Norman, he was a raw but superb athlete who transformed into a starting offensive tackle for one of the nation’s best offenses.

Any concern about Bedenbaugh’s ability to recruit and develop is unmerited as he continues to help offensive linemen find their way to the NFL.

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Cardinals training camp roster preview: OL Marquis Hayes

We look at second-year OL Marquis Hayes and his chances of making the final roster for the Cardinals.

The Arizona Cardinals open training camp at the end of this month, so we will do a roster review, highlighting each player currently on the roster, going over last season, their salary and cap number, questions they face and what their expected roster status will be.

Next up is OL Marquis Hayes.

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5 2022 drafts picks for Cardinals with uncertain future with team

These 5 Cardinals draft picks from last year will have extra to prove with a new coaching staff and front office, in addition to new competition.

The Arizona Cardinals have a new front office and coaching staff. That means they were not the ones who necessarily liked the players the team drafted in 2022.

Some of their draft picks seem destined to bigger roles in 2023 — tight end Trey McBride and linebackers Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders. However, the other players have uncertain futures for the coming season.

They are players to watch in training camp and the preseason coming up later this month and next month.

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‘He works hard’: McKade Mettauer a critical addition to Oklahoma’s offensive line

The Oklahoma Sooners added a veteran presence to their offensive line in guard McKade Mettauer.

One of the more critical additions that the Oklahoma Sooners made via the transfer portal this offseason was that of offensive lineman [autotag]McKade Mettauer[/autotag] from Cal.

The former Golden Bear played 1,768 snaps over three seasons, including the Pac-12’s condensed 2020 season. He started 28 games at right guard. Landing with the Sooners, Mettauer is making the switch to left guard, replacing Tyrese Robinson, now with the Arizona Cardinals.

Mettauer’s experience, work ethic, and leadership have stood out since joining the Sooners.

“Yeah, I love how he works,” offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh said during OU Media Day. “Smart guy, loves playing football, passionate. He’s been a leader. He came in here and led from the beginning, worked hard. And obviously you can see it on his tape from the previous place he came from. And he’s getting a little bit bigger, a little bit thicker, which I think he needs. I don’t think it’s gonna hurt his athleticism. But [he’s a] really, really smart dude, plays hard. He’s consistent.”

Coach Bedenbaugh made no bones about the expectations for Mettauer when the offensive line coach spoke with the media back in the spring, and it seems like he’s living up to those expectations thus far.

“He works hard. He loves being here. He’s a great guy. He loves all the guys,” offensive tackle [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag] said. “He’s a guy you could chill with outside of football. And he’s always gonna work hard. So, that’s a guy I love playing beside me.”

Communication and chemistry are key along the offensive line. Especially among players who line up alongside each other. Offensive linemen have to have a feel for timing double-team releases, passing off pass rushers in stunts, and need to be able to communicate well before and during a play. Like a quarterback and a wide receiver, offensive line teammates must have a certain chemistry playing alongside one another. With fall camp underway, it sounds like the left side of the offensive line has worked hard to build that chemistry.

Harrison talked about what it’s been like working with a new left guard after Robinson left for the NFL. “It’s been good. We started in spring, like when McKade Mettauer first got here, really like when we find out he was gonna be left guard the first week in spring; me and him, we talked a lot. We went through the playbook a lot. We watched film from last year, even though we didn’t have the same playbook. We really just communicated. It’s a lot of communication, and then we’re going day-by-day. At practice, we got better every day. And now I feel like he’s been here for two years like I have. So, it’s just like it’s a great connection.”

With a new quarterback (though an experienced one), a new starting running back, and in a new offensive scheme, adding Mettauer has helped mitigate the losses of Robinson and Marquis Hayes. Replacing players on the offensive line is not an easy task and Coach Bedenbaugh and the Sooners were able to add one of the most experienced players in the portal in Mettauer.

Adding him to the returning Harrison, Andrew Raym, and Chris Murray should help the Sooners’ offense be ready to roll when they take the field week one against UTEP.

There’s no substitute for experience and McKade Mettauer’s years of experience at the Power Five level has been a welcomed addition to the Oklahoma Sooners.

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Anton Harrison embracing leadership role for Oklahoma Sooners offensive line

Filling the void left by Marquis Hayes and Tyrese Robinson, tackle Anton Harrison is taking on leadership role for the Oklahoma Sooners.

Turnover at the college level comes around every year. It’s the reality that each and every college football program deals with each offseason. At offensive line, where continuity, chemistry, and communication are keys to successful units, that turnover can have a huge impact year-to-year.

In the case of the Oklahoma Sooners, they lost Marquis Hayes and Tyrese Robinson, taking nearly 5,000 collegiate snaps with them to the NFL.

That’s a lot of experience and leadership to lose along the offensive line. But the Sooners aren’t without leaders to step in and fill the void. Left tackle Anton Harrison is embracing the opportunity to lead along the offensive lile

“We all looked up to them. Like they lead us,” Harrison said at OU media days. “But now it’s me, Chris (Murray) and Andrew (Raym). We’re leading the group. So it’s like, we’re the leaders now. So all the young cats want to look up to us. So we got to make sure we’re on point and make sure we do everything right. So they know what to do in the future.”

Anton Harrison, Chris Murray, and Andrew Raym return to solidify an offensive line that will welcome transfer addition McKade Mettauer and a right tackle competition that will provide clarity as fall camp proceeds.

Entering his third season, Harrison is an anchor for the Oklahoma Sooners and is looking to improve upon a strong 2021, learning from the things that didn’t go well in the losses to Baylor and Oklahoma State.

“You try not to think about the losses because they suck, but you need them to get better,” Harrison said. “Like for me, I didn’t feel like in the losses that I played my best. So I watched those games to get better. So those won’t happen this season coming up.”

Early in the 2023 NFL draft cycle, Anton Harrison is getting buzz as a top 50 prospect in mock drafts and is considered the No. 6 offensive tackle prospect according to Pro Football Focus.

Oklahoma’s offense is going to be really good in 2022 and with Harrison, Raym, and Murray leading the way on the offensive line, the guys up front will be a big reason why they have so much success.

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McKade Mettauer ranked as one of the top 5 most impactful OL transfers for 2022 per On3 Sports

Brought into to help fill the void created by Marquis Hayes’ departure for the NFL, McKade Mettauer is among the top OL transfers in 2022 per On3.

Every team goes through a certain amount of turnover in college football. It’s the nature of the beast. Players graduate, declare for the NFL draft or find a new home via the transfer portal. The Sooners have been one of the bigger beneficiaries of the transfer portal over the last decade and will benefit greatly again in 2022.

Arriving in Norman via the portal this offseason was California Golden Bears offensive lineman McKade Mettauer. Mettauer, a three-year starter for Cal, played more than 1,700 snaps during his tenure. It would have been more if not for the COVID-shortened Pac-12 season in 2020.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh was clear about the Sooners’ intentions when they brought in Mettauer.

“You know, who knows how he’ll contribute right now, but really, really good first impression. We didn’t bring him in here to be a backup. Now, obviously, he’s got to earn it. We’ll see. He started, I want to say, 30-something games at Cal. Obviously had a bunch of tape to study. Knew him from high school. We didn’t recruit him out of high school, but he’s really developed. Extremely smart kid, tough kid. He’s competitive. He’s doing all the right things right now. So, we’ll see once we get the pads on,” Bedenbaugh said.

Nothing changed the expectation that Mettauer is the starting left guard for the Oklahoma Sooners, replacing Marquis Hayes, who’s now with the Arizona Cardinals. And with an opportunity to start and play significant snaps, there’s an expectation that Mettauer will be one of the most impactful offensive line transfers in 2022.

On3’s Mike Huguenin has been going position-by-position, ranking the top transfers for the 2022 season, and McKade Mettauer comes in at No. 4. Here’s what Hugueinin had to say.

The skinny: McKade Mettauer was a three-year starter for Cal before he entered the transfer portal. Mettauer, who is from the Houston area, played in 27 games at Cal and started the final 26 of them. Mettauer (6-4, 303) was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 selection in 2021 and had a strong spring in OU’s revamped offense. Oklahoma had some issues running inside last season, and the hope is that Mettauer can help in that regard. – Mike Hugenin, On3 Sports

In 414 pass block snaps in 2021, Mettauer allowed just 11 pressures and zero sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

The Oklahoma Sooners are looking to replace two starters on their offensive line in 2022. If Mettauer can be the player they’re hoping for, it would solidify a group that is still looking for its right tackle ahead of the 2022 season.

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Where does 4-star OL commit Cayden Green rank among Oklahoma’s best OL recruits all-time?

Taking a look back at where 2023 four-star commit Cayden Green ranks among Sooners all-time according to the 247Sports composite ratings.

For years, the Oklahoma Sooners have been a hot spot for talented offensive linemen. With Bill Bedenbaugh leading the position, Oklahoma’s developed a reputation for putting together some of the best offensive lines in college football over the last decade.

And Bedenbaugh hopes to take this next crop of linemen and turn them into the next great Sooners’ offensive line.

The Oklahoma Sooners 2023 recruiting class got a jolt over the last week and a half, picking up six recruits (three along the offensive line) since June 27. Heath Ozaeta kicked off, but since they’ve added Cayden Green and Logan Howland to the mix.

Green was one of the more highly anticipated commitments for the Oklahoma Sooners and his pledge had social media buzzing. Green is a talented prospect that gives the Sooners a huge boost in their team recruiting ranking, which has risen to No. 13 in the wake of his commitment.

With Green’s commitment, let’s take a look at where he ranks among Oklahoma Sooners’ offensive linemen all-time in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

78 days till the Cardinals’ 2022 season opener vs. Chiefs

Have a look at some of the payers over the years for the Cardinals to wear No. 78.

We are one day closer to the start of the 2022 NFL season. On this fine Saturday, we are 78 days away from the Arizona Cardinals’ regular-season opener. In 78 days, the Cardinals will take the field in State Farm Stadium to open the season against the Kansas City Chiefs.

No. 78 belongs now to rookie offensive lineman Marquis Hayes, the Cardinals’ final draft pick in the seventh round this year.

Hayes and other players who have worn No. 78 for the Cardinals over the years are below.

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OL Marquis Hayes salary, contract details, cap hit

Hayes, the Cardinals’ final draft pick, gets a four-year deal worth almost $3.74 million.

The Arizona Cardinals’ final selection of the 2022 NFL draft was offensive lineman Marquis Hayes, who played at Oklahoma and was a former teammate of quarterback Kyler Murray and receiver Hollywood Brown. He signed his four-year rookie contract recently.

We now have the details of his contract, from Over the Cap.

We go over those details below — salary, signing bonus and cap hit.

Marquis Hayes contract details

Hayes’ contract is four years and worth a total of almost $3.74 million. He receives a signing bonus of $77,012. He will earn the league’s minimum salary each of the four years of the contract and has no salary guarantees. His salary in 2022 is $705,000, and that increases to $870,000 in 2023, $985,000 in 2024 and $1.1 million in 2025. There are no other bonuses built in.

Salary cap implications

His signing bonus will be charged in a prorated fashion over the four seasons. His cap hit each year equals his salary plus the prorated signing bonus charge.

His cap hit each year will be as follows:

  • 2022: $724,253
  • 2023: $889,253
  • 2024: $1.0 million
  • 2025: $1.12 million

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Trey McBride, 2 other draft picks sign rookie contracts

The Cardinals now only have their two third-round picks, Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders,

The Arizona Cardinals announced last week that three of their draft picks signed their rookie contracts. Another trio of draft picks has now signed their rookie deals, the team announced Wednesday.

The team announced that second-round pick Trey McBride and seventh-round picks Christian Matthew and Marquis  Hayes signed their four-year rookie contracts.

That leaves only their two third-round selections, linebackers Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, as their only unsigned draft picks

These are the player bios the Cardinals gave in their press release for the signings.

McBride (6-4, 246) was the John Mackey Award winner in 2021 as the nation’s top tight end after starting all 12 games and finishing with 90 receptions for 1,121 yards, the fifth-most yards by a tight end in FBS history. He was also a unanimous first-team All-American selection last year, becoming the first player in Colorado State history to earn that honor. McBride appeared in 40 games (32 starts) in his college career and had 164 receptions for 2,100 yards and 10 touchdowns. He established school career and single-season records for receptions, receiving yards and 100-yard performances (8) by a tight end. A Fort Morgan, CO native, McBride was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Mountain West Conference selection while at Colorado State.

Matthew (6-2, 195) played in 42 games during his collegiate career at Georgia Southern (2016), Samford (2018-19) and Valdosta State (2021) and finished with 85 tackles, two interceptions, 22 passes defensed, a half sack and a blocked kick. Last year at Valdosta State, Matthew helped lead the Blazers to an appearance in the Division II National Championship game after appearing in 14 contests and collecting 37 tackles (26 solo), one interception and 15 passes defensed. A Columbus, GA native, Matthew played in 19 games at Samford and appearing in nine games at Georgia Southern as a freshman in 2016. 

Hayes (6-5, 318) played in 40 games (37 starts) at Oklahoma and was a three-year starter with the Sooners. In 2021, he earned second-team All-Big 12 honors after starting all 13 games at left guard and helping Oklahoma average 451.5 yards per game and finish with 62 total touchdowns. As a junior in 2020, Hayes started all 11 games and allowed just two sacks on 416 pass-blocking plays according to Pro Football Focus. In 2019, he started all 13 games and helped the Sooners make the College Football Playoff. A St. Louis, MO native, Hayes was a first-team Academic All-Big 12 selection as both a junior and senior. 

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