The first round of the 2015 NFL Draft kicks off Thursday, April 30 from the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago and will continue through May 2.
Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the NFL Draft would be moved from Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the draft’s usual venue, after the league began taking bids to host the event.
Nine Oklahoma players have received draft grades from the NFL, with defensive tackle Jordan Phillips clocking the highest at 5.9 out of 10. At the combine, Phillips completed the 40-yard dash in 5.17 seconds, managed to bench press 225 pounds 28 times and recorded a 30-inch vertical leap.
NFL Draft scouts project Phillips will be taken late in the first round or the second.
Additionally, wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham is expected to be an early-round prospect. Although he has never played a down for the Sooners, Green-Beckham said at the Sooners’ Pro Day that he will say he is from Oklahoma in the NFL.
“I’m going to say Oklahoma,” he said. “This is my last location, that’s where I’m at. I’m an Oklahoma Sooner, that’s it.”
At pro day, Green-Beckham did not work out for scouts and participated in just one drill. However, the prodigy with an embattled past proved to NFL scouts that yes, he is still tall. Yes, he is still strong. Yes, he can still snatch a ball midair.
Green-Beckham received a rating of 5.8.
Early-round prospects notwithstanding, tight end Blake Bell offers what could be the most interesting Oklahoma story line of the draft.
The former quarterback impressed scouts at the combine, posting the best numbers in three categories — the 40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle.
Despite having just one year of positional experience under his belt, an anonymous NFL tight ends coach told NFL.com that he liked what he saw from Bell to close the 2014 season.
“I think he'll be one of the three best tight ends to come out of this draft,” the coach said.
Among the other Oklahoma prospects are defensive end Geneo Grissom, fullback Aaron Ripkowski, cornerback Julian Wilson and offensive linemen Adam Shead, Tyrus Thompson and Daryl Williams.
The 2015 NFL Draft begins April 30 at 7 p.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN.
