Oklahoma State Cowboys 2014 NFL Draft Prospect Preview

Jan 1, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys receiver Josh Stewart (5) runs with the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers at the Cotton Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

99 DT Calvin Barnett (6’2″ 299 pounds, SENIOR)

Barnett burst onto the scene as a junior in 2012 after spending two seasons playing junior college football, leading the Cowboys with nine tackles for loss. On the season, he finished with 30 total tackles, nine for a loss, a sack, and four QB hurries. His performance last season earned him the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award, and he looks on his way to being a high draft pick in 2014. This is a quick and powerful defensive tackle with a good first step, but he can be over-aggressive at times and he has a bit of a temper on the field, which caused him to get called for a few personal foul penalties. NFL teams aren’t going to be too excited about that. But, you can see with Barnett there is a lot to work with. If he can show some improvement in his senior season, he could be one of the top 100 players selected come time for the Draft.

8 FS Daytawion Lowe (5’11” 205 pounds, SENIOR)

Productive starter for the Cowboys’ defense and a safety with pretty good size and a nice resume’ building. He was one of the team leaders as a junior with 75 tackles, and had two interceptions and a fumble returned for a touchdown. Missed the entire 2010 season but had a huge 2011, finishing with 97 tackles and three forced fumbles. His long track record and the fact that he’s played in so many games in college will at least get him noticed in the later rounds by NFL teams. He is very physical and a great asset in run support, but there are questions about his speed and ability to cover consistently at the NFL level. He may have to break into the league as a special teams stud.

7 SS Shamiel Gary (6’0″ 210 pounds, SENIOR)

Senior Shamiel Gary is a former Wyoming Cowboys transfer who is a tackling machine at the strong safety position. He was a freshman All-American at Wyoming where he had 98 tackles, three picks, and three tackles for loss. He is a big hitter who has NFL size and potential. The Tulsa, OK native transferred to play for Oklahoma State where he had a really nice junior season, notching 72 tackles and two picks.

4 CB Justin Gilbert (6’0″ 194 pounds, SENIOR)

Gilbert has the size and speed that you’d look for in an elite NFL cornerback, but there are questions abounding about his inconsistency at the position. He is a physical corner who has pretty inconsistent technique and needs to show much more consistency as a senior to attract NFL scouts. Where Gilbert is most dangerous is as a kick returner, where he has five touchdowns in his first three collegiate seasons. He is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands who looked like he was well on his way to super-stardom as a sophomore when he had five picks and 10 passes broken up, but he took a significant step back as a junior. If he can show his technique is refined, he has top 75 qualities. He is a big, long-striding corner with good speed and ability after the catch. If he proves coachable and fixable, NFL teams will be really enticed by this playmaker.

5 WR Josh Stewart (5’10” 178 pounds, JUNIOR)

Stewart was extremely productive as the Cowboys’ number one receiver in 2012 as a sophomore, catching 101 passes for 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns, also rushing for a touchdown. He is a smaller receiver, but plays tough and isn’t afraid to make some contact. He is a quick and very well-rounded possession receiver who runs good routes and finds ways to get open. Obviously his size and speed don’t blow anyone away, but his production is undeniable, and Oklahoma State has made him the focal point of their offensive attack. This is a receiver prospect I really like and I think he could be a very valuable selection in the draft, whether he chooses to come out as a junior or wait until 2015.

87 WR Tracy Moore (6’2″ 215 pounds, SENIOR)

Moore sat out all but four games in 2012 with an injury, but is a very talented player. In those four games, he looked like a potential top target with 20 catches for 259 yards and four touchdowns. Just one year sooner, he caught 45 passes for 672 yards and four touchdowns with Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball, and the Cowboys are hoping he can return in 2012 healthier and better than ever. He has really good size at 6’2″ 215 pounds and is a physical receiver who is quick in and out of his breaks, creating separation from DBs. The biggest problems with Moore at this point are durability and off-field concerns. He has had three separate run-ins with the law. That combined with his injury in 2012 could force teams to let him go undrafted in 2014 if he doesn’t light it up this year.