Tag: Sooners in the NFL

Tyler Guyton among Dane Brugler’s top-50 prospects for the 2024 NFL Draft

Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton is the lone Sooner in Dane Brugler’s initial 2024 top 50 draft board.

Oklahoma is just a week away from kicking off its 2023 season. They’ll take on Arkansas State at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. The  Sooners look to distance themselves from a squad that started 3-0 but struggled inside Big 12 play.

Along the offensive line, the Sooners lost three starters from last year. Chris Murray graduated, and the tackles Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris were drafted in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL draft.

Enter Tyler Guyton, a former transfer from TCU who played in 10 games and made five starts last year. His best performance came against Jared Verse and Florida State in the Cheez-It Bowl.

Verse would have been a top-ten pick in the 2023 NFL draft, but opted to stay in school one more year. It’s likely he’ll be a top-ten pick in the 2024 draft.

It was a nice back and for the battle between the two, with both Guyton and Verse winning snaps.

That performance and his noteworthy physical traits have caught the eye of the NFL and draft aficionados. Dane Brugler, one of the best scouting and draft experts in the business, released his initial top 50 draft board for the 2024 NFL Draft (subscription required). Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton was the lone Sooner to crack the top 50.

If he were to be drafted there, Guyton slotted in at No. 31. He’s currently Dane Brugler’s No. 6 offensive tackle in the 2024 class. With a premium placed on offensive tackles in the draft, there’s a good chance Guyton could be a first round pick.

Now, there are a couple of ways to look at that. As it stands, Guyton is comfortably a top-100 pick. Anton Harrison was similarly in the same range to start last season and stayed in the top 50 range until the draft before being selected 27th by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Guyton has more to prove than Harrison, as this year would be his first full season as a starter. Harrison started the 2021 season and played a lot in his true freshman season in 2020.

This is a prove-it year for Guyton. Pro Football Focus said he played 400 snaps and allowed two sacks and no hits on 191 pass-blocking plays in 2022. Those numbers work, but how will they play when teams consistently gameplan for you? That will be one of Guyton’s challenges.

Offensive line coach Bill Bedenabugh had a glowing review for his starting right tackle. “He’s got all the ability in the world,” Bedenbaugh said. “He’s one of the most talented guys I’ve ever seen, and we’ve had some pretty talented guys come through here.”

Guyton’s size and athletic traits will make him one of the more intriguing prospects in draft circles next spring. The stage is set for Guyton to become one of the best players on Oklahoma’s roster. He can also position himself as a first-round draft choice next April.

If he can take his game to the next level and secure Dillon Gabriel’s blindside, he has a great chance of becoming Oklahoma’s next first round offensive tackle.

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Trio of former Oklahoma offensive linemen among PFF’s top 32 for 2023 at offensive tackle

Oklahoma sees three former Sooners inside PFF’s top offensive tackles. Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, and Orlando Brown Jr. ranked.

Oklahoma’s track record over the last 15 years with the offensive line in the NFL is only matched by Notre Dame and Wisconsin. However, right now, when it comes to offensive tackle, no school is doing it better than the Sooners.

Pro Football Focus continued their rankings of the best 32 players at each position ahead of the 2023 season, and when looking at offensive tackle, Oklahoma has the top two.

[autotag]Trent Williams[/autotag] and [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag] slot in at No. 1 and 2 in PFF’s offensive tackle rankings, and it’s hard to argue with either. No tackle has been as dominant and consistent as Trent Williams, who, at 34, is comfortably one of the league’s best players regardless of position.

Here is what the curator of the list, Gordon McGuinness, had to say about Trent at the top spot.

Williams has been with the 49ers for three seasons now and has finished all three with the highest PFF grade among offensive tackles. From 526 pass-blocking snaps in the regular season and playoffs last season, he allowed 19 total pressures, just three of which were hits or sacks. – McGuinness, PFF

Williams’ consistency at left tackle has helped propel San Francisco’s offense in new ways. Trent’s ability to win against any opposition makes it much easier for head coach and play caller Kyle Shanahan to orchestrate his dynamic offense.

Elsewhere in the NFC, Lane Johnson holds down the right tackle spot for the defending NFC champs, the Philadelphia Eagles. Johnson came to Oklahoma as a quarterback and tight end. He switched briefly to defensive end before ending up on the offensive line. That switch changed his career. Since then, he’s been magnificent at right tackle.

Johnson dealt with injuries throughout the 2022 season but still put together his best season in pass protection since entering the NFL. His 90.1 PFF pass-blocking grade trailed only Laremy Tunsil at the position, with Johnson not allowing a single sack or hit through the regular season and playoffs. – McGuinness, PFF

Johnson has the responsibility of protecting former Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and Johnson held it down all last season. He didn’t give up a single sack or quarterback hit in 2022. Johnson also thrives as a physical and dominant force in the running game which is a significant part of the Eagles’ offensive attack.

Oklahoma’s list of talented offensive tackles does not end there. Orlando Brown also slots in on the list at No. 14.

Brown has developed into a high-floor NFL player, with his PFF grade sitting between 73.0 and 78.0 in each of the past four seasons. Five seasons into his NFL career, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll ever be a top-10 tackle. But at the very worst, he is a more-than-capable starting player on the left side.

Brown was a starter on the Chiefs team that won the Super Bowl last year and is a four-time Pro Bowler. He’s plenty been a really good player for the Ravens and Chiefs and now moves from protecting Patrick Mahomes to protecting Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. He signed a four-year, $64 million deal this offseason to head north to Ohio.

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PFF ranks CeeDee Lamb the No. 9 WR in the NFL ahead of the 2023 season

Oklahoma star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb ranked among an elite group of players in PFF’s top 32 receiver in the NFL ahead of the 2023.

Considered one of, if not the best and most complete receivers in Oklahoma history, production has never been an issue for CeeDee Lamb. In three seasons, Lamb finished top three among Oklahoma wide receivers in yards and touchdowns.

It’s possible that with one more full year, he would’ve eclipsed the legendary Ryan Broyles in both categories. Instead, Lamb opted to forgo that final season and head to the NFL, where he has become a star for the Dallas Cowboys.

Lamb’s finest professional season came last year as he ascended to the No. 1 receiver role for America’s Team. Lamb didn’t disappoint.

He finished 2022 with 107 catches for 1,359 yards and scored nine touchdowns. His 107 catches are the third-most in franchise history, while his 1,359 yards are the fifth-most in a single season in Cowboys history.

Couple that with his production the two years prior, and it makes sense why Pro Football Focus believes he’s one of the 10 best receivers in the NFL.

In the rankings of each position group, Lamb came in as the No. 9 wide receiver in the league. He slots in behind Davante Adams, Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill, Ja’Marr Chase, Stefan Diggs, Cooper Krupp, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin.

Sam Monson said this of CeeDee Lamb.

Lamb’s production should only go up in 2023 now that Brandin Cooks is on the roster to keep defenses on their toes. Last season, with no Amari Cooper, Lamb set career highs in targets, catches, yards, touchdowns and yards per route run. He posted the lowest drop rate of his career and looked like one of the best receivers in the game. This season could be even better. – Monson, PFF

Monson brings up a point that many are overlooking when discussing Lamb’s prospects for this season. Lamb flourished last year despite a legitimate No. 2 receiver opposite him.

With Brandin Cooks handling the other side of the field, Lamb should see more single coverage. Cooks is a bonafide playmaker in his own right and will force teams to stop doubling Lamb nearly as much as they attempted to last year.

All in all, Lamb’s stock as a alpha receiver in the NFL should rise as he prepares for his fourth season playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

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CeeDee Lamb one PFF’s best NFL players under 25

CeeDee Lamb was named one of Pro Football Focus’ best players under 25 ahead of the 2023 season.

A legendary Oklahoma Sooner in his own right, CeeDee Lamb has become every bit the star anyone a fan of the Crimson & Cream imagined he would be when he declared for the NFL Draft.

He enters his fourth year in the NFL and has become a star for the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys are trying to regroup from another playoff loss. They haven’t reached the NFC Championship in nearly 30 years.

For Lamb, last year was a major turning point in his NFL career.

Lamb was tasked with becoming the number-one receiver in the Cowboys’ receiving corps after a pre-draft trade sent former No.1 receiver Amari Cooper to the Cleveland Browns. The front office and his coaches put the onus on the Cowboys’ newest No. 88 to live up to the illustrious standards held by receivers who wear that number.

Early on, Lamb struggled with the task and lost his starting quarterback Dak Prescott to a thumb injury on his throwing hand for five games. Lamb had to adjust to backup QB Cooper Rush.

The season rumbled on, Prescott returned, and the duo unlocked a chemistry they hadn’t before.

The result?

Lamb finished 2022 with 107 catches for 1,359 yards and scored nine touchdowns. His 107 catches are the third-most in franchise history, while his 1,359 yards are fifth-most for a single season. Lamb also did this with defenses keyed in on him weekly. The remaining Cowboys receivers were ranked at or near the bottom of the league in separation. Meaning they struggled to get open, allowing opposing defenses to double CeeDee without fear of paying for it elsewhere in the passing attack.

Lamb answered the bell, and now, with a year under his belt as the alpha in the room, he will look to build on that and take his game to another level.

Pro Football Focus believes Lamb is the ninth-best player in the NFL under 25. His teammate and fellow All-Pro, Micah Parsons, is No.1. Trevor Sikkema of PFF also believes Lamb is the third-best wide receiver under 25 behind two former LSU Tigers in Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.

Lamb has been an immediate impact player for the Cowboys since they drafted him in 2020. He recorded just under 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie years and has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two seasons. His receiving grade has increased rapidly, from 72.6 in 2020 to 84.8 in 2021 and 87.0 in 2022. The only player with more explosive plays of 20 yards or more in the past two years is Justin Jefferson. – Sikkema, PFF

What’s next for CeeDee Lamb? Aside from the pursuit of a Super Bowl, an extension is looming for the talented wide receiver out of Richmond, Texas. The Cowboys picked up his fifth-year option, something only available to first-round picks. He’s coming off a career season in which he was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro and is expected to count $17.99 million against the cap in 2024, assuming Dallas doesn’t get a long-term deal in place before that season. Lamb will count just $4.45 million against the cap in 2023, with a $2.52 million base salary.

Owner Jerry Jones has been a proponent of paying guys drafted by the team. With an ever-increasing salary cap, the Cowboys will pay the money necessary for CeeDee. It’s simply a matter of when.

In the interim, Lamb’s attention will be on 2023. He has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Schottenheimer and now a new play-caller in head coach Mike McCarthy.

As Oklahoma fans have learned, change doesn’t stop CeeDee Lamb. From a different quarterback every year in college to playing with multiple in the NFL, Lamb has delivered.

The 2023 season should be no different.

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Eric Gray on his way to the Big Apple after being selected by the New York Giants

Oklahoma’s Eric Gray is headed to the Big Apple after being selected by the New York Giants in the 2023 NFL draft.

After having two Sooners off the board on Friday night, Oklahoma finally sees their first Sooner off the board on Saturday as running back Eric Gray will head to the northeast and join the New York Giants.

Gray was taken in the fifth round with pick No. 172.

The New York Giants took a step forward this year behind first-year head coach Brian Daboll. Daboll earned his stripes helping transform Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense into a machine over the last few years.

He entered the facility light on playmakers, aside from former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley, one of the league’s most gifted athletes, has struggled with injuries since coming into the NFL. While he put together a relatively healthy year culminating in a Giants playoff berth, Eric Gray’s provides significant value to the Giants roster.

 

Gray offers insurance in the event of an injury or Barkley’s contract negotiations stall. New York gave their star running back the franchise tag, but the two sides have until mid-July to work out an extension. Otherwise they’ll do the dance again in the 2024 offseason.

Gray’s effortless-looking running style provided the catalyst for a breakout season in 2022.

He ran for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 229 receiving yards on 33 catches. Gray was arguably Oklahoma’s best player on the offense. For his efforts, he earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition from PFF and was an All-Big 12 second-team selection by league coaches and the Associated Press.

Gray earned Academic All-Big 12 first-team honors while being one of three recipients of the program’s coveted Don Key Award (presented for excellence on and off the field).

Gray’s final season in Norman was a marked improvement from his first year where he struggled to establish himself behind running back Kennedy Brooks. The numbers and production weren’t there, but a full offseason working with running backs coach DeMarco Murray and more opportunities gave him the runway to take off. Now he’s taking his talents to the next level with the New York Giants.

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5 Sooners selected in latest CBS Sports 7-round NFL mock draft

Led by Anton Harrison, five Oklahoma Sooners were selected in CBS Sports’ latest 7-round mock draft.

With the NFL draft starting on Thursday, several Sooners are getting looks in the draft. The two that stand out are offensive lineman Anton Harrison and wide receiver Marvin Mims. Wanya Morris, Eric Gray, and Jalen Redmond will get looks too, and should hear their name called at some point during this weekend.

In Josh Edwards Jr.’s latest mock draft, five Sooners found new homes at the NFL level. One surprise is that tight end Brayden Willis wasn’t considered. Here’s a look at where the five Sooners went in the mock draft.

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Anton Harrison, Marvin Mims projected in the top 35 of Touchdown Wire’s latest mock draft

In his latest mock draft for the Touchdown Wire, Doug Farrar projects a pair of Sooners to go off the board in the top 35 picks.

The NFL Draft is right around corner. The first round is this Thursday and goes through Saturday. Several Sooners should expect to hear their name called along the way.

Anton Harrison is the Sooner most likely to get drafted in the first round of the draft on Thursday. He has a great combination of size, athleticism, and power at a position like offensive tackle that has NFL teams salivating over his potential.

Marvin Mims is a lock to go at minimum in the early 2nd round because of his combination of speed and pass-catching that’s rarely seen in receivers coming out of college. He really helped his chances of going high when he posted a 4.38 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine too.

In Doug Farrar’s latest mock draft for Touchdown Wire, he projects both Sooners to go off the board in the first 35 picks.

31. Kansas City Chiefs select OT Anton Harrison

Andy Reid lost both of his starting offensive tackles (Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie) in free agency, and responded to that by signing former Jaguars tackle Jawaan Taylor to a four-year, $80 million contract with $60 million guaranteed. Now, Taylor is a right tackle, and while the Chiefs have made all the right noises about his ability to move to the left side, we’re of the opinion that they should leave Taylor where he’s most comfortable, and get a guy who has already proven to be a natural to his quarterback’s blind side. That would be Harrison, who is as clean a pass-protector in this class, has run-blocking potential, and is consistent in his mechanics and technique. With this move, Kansas City’s offensive line should rival the NFL’s best. – Farrar, Touchdown Wire

Anton Harrison in Kansas City would be a match made in heaven. Harrison would go to the most electric offense in the NFL and get to protect Patrick Mahomes’ blind side at left tackle. After Kansas City lost some of its offensive line depth, Harrison would fit right on the Chiefs’ offensive line.

35. Indianapolis Colts select WR Marvin Mims

Farrar has Marvin Mims going early in the second round of his latest mock draft. His speed shown at the combine really helped his case. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him shoot up NFL teams’ draft boards.

Mims’ issue is that he’s under 6 feet. However, he’d be a good addition to an Indianapolis Colts team that needs as much help on offense as possible. If the Colts were to go quarterback at the top of the first round, grabbing Mims in the second would provide a reliable target on the outside for the foreseeable future.

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Oklahoma Sooners on the move in NFL free agency

Several Oklahoma Sooners on the move in the first week of NFL Free Agency.

Oklahoma recently sent seven Sooners to the NFL Scouting Combine to participate in the most extensive interviews of their lives. They hope to hear their names called at the end of April in the 2023 NFL draft.

While their careers are just getting started, Oklahoma’s representation in the NFL is rich. Several Sooners have established solid reputations but had interesting decisions to make early in the NFL free agency cycle.

We’ve taken the liberty and rounded up all the news about current Oklahoma Sooners and their situations with regard to free agency and new deals this offseason so far.

Baker Mayfield is headed to Tampa Bay on a one-year deal

Baker Mayfield is headed to Tampa Bay on a one-year deal with the chance to be Tom Brady’s successor with the Buccaneers.

One of Oklahoma’s most beloved players in recent memory has found his new home.

Former No. 1 pick [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached an agreement on a one-year contract worth up to $8.5 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

It signals a significant opportunity for Mayfield to revitalize a career that has had some tumultuous moments over the last few years.

Mayfield, the No. 1 pick in 2018, was playing in the final season of his rookie contract after the Cleveland Browns picked up his fifth-year option April of 2021. The Browns then acquired the controversial Deshaun Watson from via trade last summer. They shipped Mayfield off to the Carolina Panthers, where he played seven games in Carolina before he was released midseason.

 

He had a rough season up to that point statistically, but the Los Angeles Rams desperately needed healthy QB play and signed him for the final five games.

In those five games, Mayfield found a groove while completing 63.6% of his passes for 850 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. He helped the Rams win a thrilling Monday Night Football game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

With Mayfield headed to Tampa Bay, it also signals that the Bucs are less committed to former Florida Gators QB and third round selection Kyle Trask than they led on.

With Mayfield in the building, there will be a legitimate QB competition. Mayfield has far more NFL experience, which should give him a leg up as they both compete to learn the nuances of a new offense under new offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

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5 takeaways from the Oklahoma Sooners performance at the NFL Scouting Combine

Five takeaways from Oklahoma Sooners at the 2023 NFL Scouting combine.

One of the biggest weekends for the football world just came to completion. This weekend served as a massive evaluation tool for determining the future of the next stars of the NFL.

Oklahoma has no shortage of stars in the pro ranks at the moment but has the opportunity for a number of players to hear their names called in April.

Seven Sooners made the trek to Indianapolis to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Oklahoma Sooners, as a whole, put on a fine display of athleticism as multiple players put up great testing numbers. Social media was set ablaze watching [autotag]Anton Harrison[/autotag], [autotag]Marvin Mims[/autotag], and [autotag]Jalen Redmond[/autotag] test. With the combine over, these former Sooners will begin preparing for their pro day.

Here are five takeaways about the Oklahoma Sooners from the NFL Scouting Combine.