NFL

2015 NFL Draft: Evaluating Shawn Oakman’s Stock After Week 14

Fresh Videos

By @Spencer_NFL

Shawn Oakman Baylor

Getty Images

Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman is hard to miss. Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing 280 pounds, Oakman looks like a man among boys on the football field. His frame and freakish athletic ability have placed him in the first-round conversation, but those traits are also the reason why he is considered a huge boom or bust pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Position coaches and coordinators dream of the opportunity to develop a prospect like Oakman. He has all the physical tools a defensive end needs to become an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Even though he’s one of the biggest defensive end prospects, he’s also one of the most explosive. Oakman has a great first step and uses his long arms to fight off offensive tackles. Coaches will love his motor as well.

Much like Jadeveon Clowney, when Oakman wants to dominate, he does. His two most recent games against Oklahoma State and Texas Tech are prime examples of how well he plays when dialed in.

Consistency is the biggest on-field issue for Oakman. In a conference lacking star left tackles, he should be dominating on a weekly basis. In 11 games this season, which includes non-conference opponents SMU, Northwestern State and Buffalo, Oakman only has 46 tackles and eight sacks. Only once this year did he line up across from an OT projected to be drafted. That was against Tyrus Thompson of Oklahoma. With scouts from over 10 NFL teams in attendance, Oakman was held in check.

In fact, it appeared as though Oakman had no interest in the game at all. He failed to create any pressure on the QB and was ineffective against the run. He finished with three tackles, all of which were scrambles for positive yardage by Sooners QB Trevor Knight.

Another area of concern is his off-field behavior. Oakman was dismissed from Penn State by current Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien after three separate incidents. There haven’t been any reports of behavioral issues in his three years at Baylor, so his time with the Nittany Lions likely won’t hurt his draft stock.

Many mock drafts and rankings have Oakman as a first-round pick. This isn’t because of his play at Baylor. Oakman is a first-year starter who has been very inconsistent. His projection is based on potential and what he’s expected to do at the combine. The annual NFL Scouting Combine has turned mid-round picks into first-rounders and vice versa. Oakman is one of those expected to shine due to his all-around athletic ability.

Players who fit into the DE/OLB hybrid role have been coveted in recent drafts and have seen their stock soar. Clemson‘s Vic Beasley is the best of the bunch this year and will likely be a top-10 pick. If Oakman can perform as expected at the combine, he won’t have to wait much longer than Beasley to hear his name called on draft day.

Personally, I don’t believe Oakman should be an early pick. He’s currently the No. 6 DE on my board behind Leonard Williams (USC), Randy Gregory (Nebraska), Shane Ray (Missouri), Dante Fowler, Jr. (Florida) and Alvin Dupree (Kentucky). Oakman is a very raw prospect who will need time to adjust to the NFL game. Experienced offensive linemen will use his size and high pad level against him.

As high as his ceiling may be, the likelihood of him being a bust is even higher.

Shawn Spencer is an NFL Draft writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Spencer_NFL, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

Related:

Evaluating Leonard Williams NFL Draft Stock

Share Tweet
Trending Now on