Oklahoma football: Look who's the (surprise) first Big 12 player projected to go in the NFL Draft

Published: February 8, 2013 Comment on this article

Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson's impressive performance in the Senior Bowl has pushed him up to No. 16 on Mel Kiper's latest NFL mock draft.

photo - OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, right, talks with Tony Jefferson during action against Kansas this past season. According to a WalterFootball.com draft scouting report, OU coaches have told NFL scouts that Jefferson, who has entered the NFL Draft, had “horrible practice habits and a lack of work ethic in the weight room.” Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

OU defensive coordinator Mike Stoops, right, talks with Tony Jefferson during action against Kansas this past season. According to a WalterFootball.com draft scouting report, OU coaches have told NFL scouts that Jefferson, who has entered the NFL Draft, had “horrible practice habits and a lack of work ethic in the weight room.” Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Here's what the ESPN draft analysis has to say about Johnson, and the team he projects will draft him, the St. Louis Rams:

"The Rams can afford to go a few different ways here because they have that other first-round pick. I think the offensive line has to be a priority at one of these spots. Johnson is a steady tackle who upgrades the team on the right side immediately and has the ceiling of a very good NFL left tackle. He has the long arms you look for, gets into good position immediately and slides really easily to derail speed-rushers. The Rams have skill-position questions, and those could be answered here. But they need to block better, period, or it won't matter how much skill they have."

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