Oregon State Beavers Top NFL Draft Prospects for 2013 and Beyond

Oct. 06, 2012; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers player Jordan Poyer (14) heads up field against the Washington State Cougars during the first quarter at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-US PRESSWIRE

14 Jordan Poyer, Cornerback, Senior  6’0″ 190 pounds

One of the top senior cornerbacks in the country, Poyer is a playmaker with and without the ball in his hands. Based on his last two seasons of play, Poyer is going to significantly climb up NFL Draft boards, especially with the emergence of Oregon State as a legitimate national title contender in 2012. The 2nd team All-Pac 12 performer (2011) finished his junior year and first season as a starting cornerback with a career-high 57 tackles, 12 passes broken up, and four interceptions, one that was returned for a touchdown. He’s also got great special teams versatility, returning a punt for a touchdown as a junior. The former backup safety has emerged as arguably the best cover corner in the Pac 12, and through four games (time of this writing) in 2012, has four interceptions already. He is a fantastic athlete, and the only question surrounding him right now is whether or not he’s mature enough to play with an NFL contract after a bar fight and arrest in May.

2 Markus Wheaton, Wide Receiver, Senior  6’1″ 182 pounds

Wheaton is probably the top offensive playmaker on the Beavers’ roster, and their current/returning leading receiver. As a junior, Wheaton caught 73 passes for 986 yards and just one touchdown, adding 190 yards rushing. So far as a senior (four weeks) Wheaton has 36 catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns. He is definitely one of the focal points on the OSU offense, and he sort of reminds you of a poor man’s Percy Harvin. He can run the ball out of the backfield, and where he really excels is after the catch. Oregon State likes to get him the ball in space where he can make plays with his quickness, speed, and field vision. He has good, reliable hands and is a solid route runner. I think in the NFL, he could be a really valuable slot receiver type, with the ability to also make plays on the outside. He reminds you of those receivers up in Pittsburgh a little bit.