Oklahoma Sooners Football: Ranking the Possible 2012 Draft Picks

College football is officially back in action next Thursday. Next weekend will be our first glimpse at the University of Oklahoma, who is currently ranked No. 1 in both preseason polls.

The stakes are high for OU because of the plethora of talent the team has this season. The Sooners should have at least two guys coming off the board in the first round come draft day, but where does everyone else rank? 

In 2010, the Sooners had four first round (and seven total) draft picks. Last season, DeMarco Murray was taken in the third round, Quinton Carter was taken in the fourth round and Jonathan Nelson and Jeremy Beal were both taken in the seventh round. 

Needless to say, there was a noticeable difference between the two years. 

This season looks to be more reminiscent of 2010, and if some guys play up to their potential, OU could have as many as 12 guys waiting to be drafted. 

12. James Hanna (Tight End)

The first of many seniors on this list, James Hanna will be coming into this season with something to prove. 

After starting 12 of the Sooners' 14 games last season, Hanna finished with only 18 receptions for 292 yards.

However, of those 18 receptions, seven came as touchdowns. 

This shows Hanna's ability to be a great red-zone target. His size, 6'4" and 243 pounds, makes him a big target that's easy for QB Landry Jones to find. 

This season, Hanna should get the opportunity for more looks in the open-field. Hanna runs a 4.5 40, which is great speed for a tight end. He has improved his blocking since being at OU, but that will have to develop if he ever wants to be an every-down TE in the NFL. 

Right now, the best case scenario for Hanna looks to be a late round draft pick to a team that can spend some time developing him. He doesn't have the size or strength yet to be an Antonio Gates type of player, but if he improves, that isn't out of the question.

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Seventh Round, Pick No. 204 to the Oakland Raiders

11. Dejuan Miller (Wide Receiver)

Dejuan Miller has had a very underwhelming career at OU, but a lot of that has to do with injuries. 

Last season, Miller proved to be a valuable receiver for the Sooners for the first six games, but unfortunately he then suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Now healthy, Miller hopes to have a great senior season that will propel his draft stock into late round consideration. 

Miller has great size for a wide receiver: 6'4" and 217 pounds. This makes him a perfect red-zone target for quarterbacks, much like NFL WR Plaxico Burress. 

Playing in what will likely be a pass-heavy offense with a potential Heisman candidate will only benefit Miller's chances. He will get plenty of looks, as he is likely to start opposite of sophomore WR Kenny Stills. 

This year's theme for Miller should be redemption, and he will be plenty motivated for a break-out season. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Sixth Round, Pick No. 178 to the Chicago Bears

10. Frank Alexander (Defensive End)

Frank Alexander will be the leader of the Sooners' defensive line this season.

He will be the only senior on the line, and his experience and toughness should anchor the entire defense while All-American Travis Lewis is out with an injury. 

Last season, Alexander finished with some pretty decent stats: 39 tackles (13 for loss), seven sacks and one fumble caused. 

In order to improve his draft stock, Alexander will have to make more sacks and prove that he is a force on the end. Even though he is a balanced DE and a great run-stopper, he needs to show that he has worked on his pass rushing ability. 

Every NFL team wants a pass-rushing DE. That's just common knowledge. Alexander will definitely have something to prove during his senior season, and that's just what he's going to do.

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Sixth Round, Pick No. 170 to the Arizona Cardinals

9. Jarvis Jones (Offensive Tackle)

Jarvis Jones is a great prospect. He has the size, strength and athleticism any team would want in an offensive tackle.

But like Miller, Jones will be coming off of an injury, so he will have to prove himself during his senior season. 

Unlike Miller, Jones is going to be out until the Red River Rivalry game, so his window of opportunity will be very small. 

Jones played in every game for the Sooners last season and showed that he had the potential to be a starter in the NFL. He recorded 81 knockdowns last season, including a game-high 17 against Florida State.

At 6'7" and 289 pounds, Jones is a lot like former OU Tackle Phil Loadholt, who is currently a starter for the Minnesota Vikings.

If Jones can come back from his injury at full strength and speed, there is no reason why scouts shouldn't be able to see his potential.

2012 Draft Prediction: 

 Fifth Round, Pick No. 157 to the Philadelphia Eagles  

8. JaMarkus McFarlund (Defensive Tackle)

JaMarkus McFarland came to OU as one of the highest ranked recruits in the country. He has yet to live up to his potential.

In his first two seasons, McFarland has only started three games, all of which were last season.

He did look improved from his freshman season, though, as he recorded 23 tackles and 1.5 sacks. 

He should be a full-time starter this season, so McFarland may finally have the opportunity to live up to what we all thought he could do. 

McFarland is the first junior on this list, so there's a chance that he may just stay in school another year, but that all depends on his play throughout the season. 

He's a great character guy who has a level head on his shoulders. He also finished as an Academic All-Big 12 player last season. 

Even though he's likely to stay, if he has a big season and proves his worth, there's a good possibility McFarland will leave early.

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Fifth Round, Pick No. 150 to the Baltimore Ravens 

7. Jamell Fleming (Cornerback)

Jamell Fleming is another senior who will be trying to improve his draft stock throughout the season. 

As a full-time starter for the first time last season, Fleming recorded 71 tackles (8.5 for loss) and five interceptions (for 59 yards). 

Fleming has average size for NFL cornerbacks, 5'11" and 191 pounds, so he's really going to have to show that he can improve on his man coverage. 

Even with his impressive stats, Fleming was the most vulnerable defensive back for the Sooners last season. He had more balls thrown his way than fellow CB Demontre Hurst (who will show up on the next slide).

On an experienced Sooner defense, Fleming should be able to show the scouts that he has improved this season. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Fifth Round, Pick No. 131 to the Cincinnati Bengals 

6. Demontre Hurst (Cornerback)

Demontre Hurst is the second junior on this list, and he's another player that may choose to return for his senior season.

With that being said, Hurst is the best cornerback on the Sooners' roster and he has a lot of potential to be a good player in the NFL. 

As a sophomore, Hurst started all 14 games for the Sooners. He was second on the team with 11 passes broken up, and he tied the team lead with three forced fumbles. 

He also recorded 50 tackles (4 for loss, 42 unassisted) and one interception. 

Like I said on the last slide, Hurst was more feared among opposing quarterbacks last season than Fleming, so he had less opportunity for interceptions. 

Hurst was Academic All-Big 12 last season, and his play this season should make him a candidate for All-Big 12, not just Academic. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Fourth Round, Pick No. 124 to the New England Patriots 

5. Donald Stephenson (Offensive Tackle)

Donald Stephenson has all the potential to be a great offensive tackle in the NFL.

First off, he has great size at 6'6" and 307 pounds. Secondly, he showed said potential in the 10 games he started last season. 

Stephenson recorded 103 knockdown blocks, which was good enough for second on the team.

Stephenson has been compared to former OU star Trent Williams, who now plays for the Washington Redskins. 

Unlike Jones, Stephenson will have the entire season to prove his value as a starting tackle for the Sooners. 

When Jones comes back from injury, OU should have a rather formidable offensive line, which should make QB Landry Jones more than happy. 

If Stephenson stays healthy, he should be a highly-touted offensive line prospect. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Third Round, Pick No. 90 to the Atlanta Falcons 

4. Ronnell Lewis (Defensive End/Linebacker)

Ronnell Lewis, or "The Hammer" as he is known to his teammates, is a freak of nature. 

He is 6'2", 244 pounds and runs a 4.5 40.

His versatility and athleticism have made it hard for him to find a full-time starting spot on the Sooners, but he finally seems to have found a niche as a hybrid DE and LB. 

According to nfldraftscout.com, Lewis is currently the fourth highest rated OLB prospect in the 2013 class.

So, staying for his senior year may turn him into a legitimate first round draft pick. 

But if he turns in an incredible junior season, that might bump up his stock enough for him to leave a year early.

The problem, right now at least, is Lewis' off-season troubles. First, he faced eligibility issues that seemed like it might force him to miss the season opener. Now, Lewis is having "personal issues" that are keeping him out of spring practice. 

Head Coach Bob Stoops has yet to report on anything significant, saying that there have been no absolute decisions made on whether or not Lewis will be playing in the season opener. 

Regardless, Lewis will have a starting spot waiting for him when he "officially" comes back, and he is line to have a tremendous season.

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Second Round, Pick No. 58 to the Indianapolis Colts 

3. Travis Lewis (Linebacker)

Travis Lewis is the leader of the Sooners' defense. He is an All-American linebacker who led the team in tackles last season with 109. 

In three seasons with the Sooners, Lewis has recorded 360 tackles. He is a big-time player.

Unfortunately, Lewis suffered a toe injury during practice which has put him on the shelf until the Red River Rivalry game.

Until then, other seniors, like Frank Alexander, will have to step up and lead the defense.

Lewis has the potential to be a first round draft pick, but since he's coming off an injury and playing a shortened season, it's likely that his stock will fall to the second round. 

He's got great size and speed for an outside linebacker, and his athleticism and smarts will make him a great addition to any NFL team. 

If the Sooners can get past Florida State and Missouri in weeks three and four, they should be sitting pretty when Lewis and Jarvis Jones return to the lineup. 

Lewis will make the most of his time this season, and he will be a player who performs really well at the combine. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

Second Round, Pick No. 38 to the Jacksonville Jaguars 

2. Ryan Broyles (Wide Receiver)

Ryan Broyles will have the biggest impact on his future team of all the OU draft picks, but he will still be the second OU player taken off the board. 

Broyles has had an amazing career at OU. Last season alone, Broyles recorded 131 receptions for 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns. 

It was almost shocking that Broyles decided to return for his senior season, but by doing this, Broyles has almost guaranteed himself a first-round selection.

The knock on Broyles will be his size and lack of breakaway speed. He is listed as 5'11" and 188 pounds, but that's probably being nice. That shouldn't take away from his great hands and elusiveness. 

Broyles is a top five WR prospect in the draft, and if he has a great workout at the combine, he could be the second WR taken in the draft. 

He is going to be a valuable slot receiver in the NFL and will likely be compared to Wes Welker. Broyles has a chance to have a long and prosperous career. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

First Round, Pick No. 21 to the St. Louis Rams

1. Landry Jones (Quarterback)

It almost seems written in stone that Stanford QB Andrew Luck will be picked No. 1 in the 2012 draft, but there's a good chance that Landry Jones will be the second QB taken. 

Jones has Heisman Trophy candidate written all over him this season.

He's playing on the No. 1 team in the country, who will stay No. 1 throughout the season and go on to play in the National championship game, and he will have very impressive stats.

Those two things always equal Heisman Trophy potential. 

Last season, Jones was more than great statistically.

He completed 405 of 617 passes for 4,718 yards and 38 touchdowns. Remember, this was only his sophomore season. That means that Jones will actually have to make the decision of staying for his senior year or leaving early.

Unfortunately for Sooners fans, Jones will have Top-10 potential and will likely leave. Of course, the same thing could have been said about Sam Bradford after his junior season, but everything still worked out for him. 

Jones is a different story. While his stats may be comparable to Bradford's, he is not the same player. He still makes bad decisions, but that is to be expected from a guy who just finished his sophomore season.

But if OU wants to win a National championship this year, and if Jones wants to be a Top-10 pick, he will have to improve even more. 

2012 Draft Prediction: 

First Round, Pick No. 9 to the Buffalo Bills