Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State: Grading the 2012 NFL Draft Talent on Both Teams

When Oklahoma State and Oklahoma take the field on Saturday, not only will they be playing for the Big 12 Championship, an automatic berth to a BCS Bowl and bragging rights but it will be one of the last times the copious amounts of NFL talent on each team will get a chance to showcase their abilities.

The two biggest names in terms of the draft are OU’s quarterback Landry Jones and State’s wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Jones was the consensus No. 2 quarterback behind Andrew Luck but his stock has dipped some this season largely in part because of USC’s Matt Barkley who has been absolutely sensational this year. Still, Jones’ physical tools project him to be a high first-round pick, especially considering the dramatic increase in value the quarterback position has had in recent years.

For Blackmon, there is nothing the guy hasn’t done during his time in Stillwater. He led the nation in receiving yards last year and is eighth this year—second in total receptions—despite receiving a lot more attention from opposing defenses.

There is absolutely no denying his ability to make plays and while many draft analysts have him as a high first-round choice, I’m not so sure. He has shown moments of arrogance and his lack of elite speed could drop him. Regardless, he still should be a first-round choice based simply on production.

But they are far from the only talented guys who will be playing. Ryan Broyles won’t have the opportunity to show off his skills because of injury and neither will defensive end Ronnell Lewis who is projected to go to linebacker in a 3-4 system.

Both of these Oklahoma players are projected first-round choices but Lewis can return for his senior season whereas Broyles will graduate.

There are three other big names on Oklahoma State: safety Markelle Martin, offensive tackle Levy Adcock and quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The value of tackles is at an all-time high and Adcock could sneak into the first round because of his run blocking and durability. In a rather weak safety class, Martin is one of the top guys available, especially if Miami’s Ray-Ray Armstrong opts to stay for his senior year.

There is no denying Weeden’s abilities as a quarterback but he is 28 so his playing time would be seriously limited and that’s assuming he can transition to a pro-style offense. Considering that 12 quarterbacks were drafted last year and five are in in Todd McShay’s first round, he’ll go somewhere between the late second round and fourth round.

The only other prospects of note are Oklahoma’s linebacker Travis Lewis and defensive end Frank Alexander. Both are mid round picks but Lewis could move up if he can show he can overcome a foot injury that appears to have seriously diminished his output, he could move into the second round depending on a team’s need.

Any way you look at it, this Oklahoma-Oklahoma State game is something you won’t want to miss out on.