Breaking Down The Oklahoma Sooners Offensive Players At The NFL Combine

By Amanda Staver
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Now that the NFL Combine has come and gone, we get to talk about how everyone did and if they improved or hurt their chances.

This is just my opinion, but I don’t think results in a combine drill should hurt or improve anything. I know I’m in a minority here, but add some pads and watch real game footage of these players and you get a better picture.

I get the up-close and personal with the draftees aspect of the combine, though that you have people who have never watched one minute of film on a player, then say they are going to get drafted high because they had a great 40-yard dash time, is the part that doesn’t make sense to me.

Sure, they may be fast, but put them in pads and have defensive ends around them and see if you get the same results. But, we do go by combine results, so what I think is irrelevant.

Now that I have gone off on a tangent, let’s get back to how the former offensive Oklahoma Sooners did in the combine. Let’s start with quarterback Landry Jones.

As much as people wanted him to be one throughout his career with Oklahoma, Jones will never be a dual-threat quarterback.

He loves the pocket and I don’t think that is ever going to change. Jones did well in throwing drills, which was expected. His 40-yard dash was a bit mesmerizing, especially in slow-motion. I don’t know who told him to high-step it, but that’s what he did and ended up running a 5.11.

Jones’ biggest question mark for NFL scouts is how he is going to handle the pressure of an NFL defensive line. Put him behind an offensive line that gives him the time he needs, and he will do okay.

That may be a risk some NFL teams aren’t willing to take, though. He will get drafted, no doubt on day two most likely.

The rest of the country is catching up to what most Sooners fans already knew: Lane Johnson is a beast. The offensive tackle was one of the most talked about players in the entire combine. From his athletic ability, his three-cone drill and his 40-yard time he did nothing but impress.

He is coachable and willing to be moved around to help where needed. You can’t ask much more from a player. Johnson will go in the first round.

Wide receiver Kenny Stills had an okay combine. His 40 time was great, and he will get back to the grind to help improve that for the Sooners upcoming Pro day. He did decently enough in his drills, but that speed is what is going to keep scouts remembering his name.

When Stills puts in the effort, he is one of the best players on the field. I still expect him to go somewhere in the fourth round and depending on pro day results, he can only improve that.

The offensive players had a much better showing than the defensive players. You can check the defensive players breakdown, here.

It’s all about needs with some teams – ask Tom Brady about where he went in the draft and where he is today. It isn’t where you are drafted; it’s what you do afterwards.

March 13 is the scheduled date for Oklahoma’s Pro day.

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