Ronnell Lewis, Junior, OLB/Defensive End, Oklahoma
Overview:
There were voices proclaiming Ronnell Lewis would have been better served returning to Oklahoma considering he is a rush end who did not get to the quarterback very often in his junior season. However, if prior drafts are any indication, this does not preclude Lewis from being drafted very early, as teams are more apt to draft potential over production when it comes to 3-4 outside linebackers or 4-3 defensive ends.
Lewis tallied 5.5 sacks in 2011, while also missing the final three games of the season, for a disappointing Sooners squad who had aspirations of a National Championship. Although Lewis was upstaged by his senior counterpart Frank Alexander in terms of sacks and tackles for loss on the year, perhaps playing across from Ronnell aided Alexander’s success. Oklahoma as a team finished in the top 12 nationally in both categories.
Final Projection:
Teams go crazy (read: reach) for rush ends. If Aldon Smith and Von Miller are best case scenarios, teams will continue to do so in coming drafts, hoping to strike the same gold that San Francisco and Denver did last year. Because of this, Ronnell Lewis, even after an average production season, can expect to hear his name called by the beginning of the second round, if not on day one.
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