NFL draft prep: Cotton Bowl prospects

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AT&T Cotton Bowl

No. 13 Oklahoma State vs. No. 8 Missouri (7:30 p.m., FOX)

*Denotes juniors
**Denotes redshirt sophomores

Justin Gilbert - CB, Oklahoma State, No. 4
Gilbert, a senior, is one of the most dynamic players in the 2014 draft. The 2013 Walter Camp first-team All-American and AP All-Big 12 first-team selection had six interceptions and three scores (two INT returns and a 100-yard kickoff return) this season. His three TDs gave him eight total (five KO returns coming into the season) during his career in Stillwater.

As a corner, Gilbert's size, ball skills and speed are his best attributes. He tends to freelance a bit and generally appears to rely on his athletic ability rather than technique, but that can be corrected with some NFL coaching. Gilbert is also a willing and capable tackler.

Gilbert is the No. 1 play-making CB in the draft and will most likely battle the more technically-sound Ifo Ekpre-Olomu of Oregon and Darqueze Dennard of Michigan State to be the first corner off the board. The Birds could be in the market for one of these three in the latter stages of the first round. Look for Gilbert to wow at the NFL Combine.

Watch: Gilbert Highlights

Kony Ealy - DE, Missouri, No. 47
Ealy has good size for a defensive end (6-5/275) and plays the run well. He gets off the ball quickly and changes direction with ease, pursuing ball carriers down the line of scrimmage relentlessly.

As a pass rusher he could do a better job at disengaging from blockers with his hands. Ealy allows blockers into his body too easily and stays blocked. He doesn't have much of a pass rush arsenal, relying on beating the offensive linemen off the snap. If that doesn't work, he doesn't seem to have a Plan B.

Missouri lines him up inside often where he seems to have better luck getting to the passer. Ealy had 7.5 sacks during the season.

The redshirt junior hasn't officially announced that he's coming out, but the 2013 first-team All-SEC performer and cousin of New York Jet and Missouri alum Sheldon Richardson seems to be leaning that way. If Ealy comes out, I see him as an early second-round pick. I just don't see the defining skill set that warrants a higher selection. The size and quickness are good, but I just see a solid, but not spectacular run-stuffing DE at the next level.

Watch: Ealy vs. Florida 2012

Michael Sam - DE, Missouri, No. 52
It was a big year for the redshirt senior, as Sam was named the Associated Press SEC Defensive Player of the Year after amassing an SEC-leading 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for loss. He is one of the quickest players off the snap I've seen all season. But like his bookend DE Ealy above, Sam relies very heavily on that burst off the ball rather than developing an arsenal of pass rush moves.

He doesn't strike me as especially flexible (the ability to bend the corner), a trait the great pass rushers seem to have, but there's certainly no denying his tenacity. He reminds me of Brandon Graham -- an all-out effort player. At only 6-foot-2 and 255 pounds, Sam may be looked at by some 3-4 teams as an OLB and pass rusher. I don't see it because of the lack of bend (a problem Graham is having too). Still, there's a place for Sam in the league, and some 4-3 team in the second round will grab him to play the left side of the line for a lot of years.

Watch: Sam vs. Florida 2013

Others to Watch

E.J. Gaines - CB, Missouri, No. 31
Voted a first-team All-SEC by both AP and SEC coaches, Gaines has quick hips and good size (5-10/195). The battle-tested cover man could go as high as the late second round.

Dorial Green-Beckham - WR, Missouri, No. 15
The former Rivals No. 1 overall-ranked high school prospect is now a sophomore and starting to live up to his hype. Green-Beckham (6-6/225) could be a top-10 pick in 2015. Gilbert is going to have his hands full.

Calvin Barnett - DT, Oklahoma State, No. 99
A junior college transfer in 2012, the senior defensive tackle was named AP first-team All-Big 12 in 2013. Barnett (6-2/300) is a load to move, and plays the run very well. Doesn't offer much in terms of pass rush though. Off the board in the fourth round.

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