Following up off of NFL draft weekend, we’ve been conducting our own draft, picking current Big 12 players with the premise of filling out three 22-man lineups.
So far, this draft has been revealing, accentuating the prospective strength of the conference (defensive line) in 2014, as well as some of the potential shortcomings.
As a reminder, this is NOT a top-25 player ranking. It’s only an exercise in determining where the value of the league lies, and the different strategies to cobbling a team together from the league’s present talent pool.
Below is a recap of the first seven rounds of the draft from Monday, followed by rounds 8-15. We’ll conclude the draft Thursday by picking the final seven rounds.
Jake Trotter:
1. QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
2. LT Spencer Drango, Baylor
3. OLB Eric Striker, Oklahoma
4. DE Ryan Mueller, Kansas State
5. RT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma
6. WR Jakeem Grant, Texas Tech
7. WR Sterling Shepard, Oklahoma
Brandon Chatmon:
1. WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas State
2. DE Charles Tapper, Oklahoma
3. DE Cedric Reed, Texas
4. LT Le'Raven Clark, Texas Tech
5. DT Malcom Brown, Texas
6. DT Chucky Hunter, TCU
7. CB Daryl Worley, West Virginia
Max Olson:
1. DE Devonte Fields, TCU
2. WR Antwan Goodley, Baylor
3. DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor
4. QB Davis Webb, Texas Tech
5. LB Frank Shannon, Oklahoma
6. CB Quandre Diggs, Texas
7. SS Sam Carter, TCU
Round 8
Olson: LB Bryce Hager, Baylor
Chatmon: CB Kevin White, TCU
Trotter: TE E.J. Bibbs, Iowa State
Analysis: "In Grant, Shepard and now Bibbs, I have three of the most difficult matchups for opposing defensive backfields in the league. With Petty at QB, and two of the best pass-protecting tackles in the country, I feel like I'll be able to fling the ball at will." -- Trotter
Round 9
Trotter: RB Malcolm Brown, Texas
Chatmon: OG Cody Whitehair, Kansas State
Olson: DT Andrew Billings, Baylor
Analysis: “Whitehair should help solidify my offensive line. His ability to play multiple positions up front will be valuable and I had to start addressing my offensive line before all of the top guys were off the board. He’ll join Clark to give me a solid foundation.” -- Chatmon
Round 10
Olson: LT Daniel Koenig, Oklahoma State
Chatmon: SS Dante Barnett, Kansas State
Trotter: DT Travis Britz, Kansas State
Analysis: "Time to start building my offensive line. I don't love that many linemen in the league this year, honestly, so that's why I waited. But Koenig is a good one, and he can play either tackle spot." -- Olson
Round 11
Trotter: DT James Castleman, Oklahoma State
Chatmon: C Tom Farniok, Iowa State
Olson: CB Zack Sanchez, Oklahoma
Analysis: "With my offense looking strong across the board, I'm circling back to my defense. I have two of the league's very best getting to the quarterback in Striker and Mueller. Now, it's time to solidify the interior run defense. I got just the guys in Castleman and Britz." -- Trotter
Round 12
Olson: RB Shock Linwood, Baylor
Chatmon: LB Dominique Alexander, Oklahoma
Trotter: CB Kevin Peterson, Oklahoma State
Analysis: "I went with Alexander because I love his versatility and instincts. He should be able to hold up in coverage at times but can blitz too. To top it all off, he's just a sophomore who has barely scratched the surface of his ability. Win, win." -- Chatmon
Round 13
Trotter: SS Karl Joseph, West Virginia
Chatmon: CB JaCorey Shepherd, Kansas
Olson: C BJ Finney, Kansas State
Analysis: "After loading up on defense early, I'm collecting pieces offensively. I think I got two good ones in the veteran Finney, and the budding Linwood." -- Olson
Round 14
Olson: OG Quinton Spain, West Virginia
Chatmon: RT Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma
Trotter: FS Chris Hackett, TCU
Analysis: “I got my lockdown corner a couple rounds ago in Peterson, and with these last two picks, got safeties capable of being All-Big 12 performers this season.” -- Trotter
Round 15
Trotter: LB Ben Heeney, Kansas
Chatmon: WR Daje Johnson, Texas
Olson: DE Geneo Grissom, Oklahoma
Analysis: "Daje makes plays. A lot of them. Nothing more needs to be said here." -- Chatmon