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Heisman Trophy 2016: Predicting each candidate’s NFL future

By John Buhler

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) walks off the field after a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) walks off the field after a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) celebrates his touchdown catch in front of Iowa State Cyclones band members at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) celebrates his touchdown catch in front of Iowa State Cyclones band members at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Of the five 2016 Heisman finalists, Westbrook’s NFL prospects is easily the hardest to forecast. Peppers and Watson are can’t-miss first-rounders in the 2017 NFL Draft. Jackson and Mayfield have work to do in school next year to elevate their 2018 NFL Draft stock.

So, what do we make of Westbrook?

Westbrook came on this season shortly after the Red River Rivalry game against the hated Texas Longhorns. Mayfield had been looking for his primary receiving weapon after Sterling Shepard graduated and went in the second round to the New York Giants, and he certainly found that.

Westbrook came to Norman in 2015 after two years of junior college, and he has emerged as the best vertical threat in college football in 2016. On the year, Westbrook has 74 receptions for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is averaging 19.8 yards per catch and 12.0 on the ground running a few jet sweeps out of the Oklahoma backfield.

Receivers that star in Air Raid offenses in college have a better chance of succeeding in the NFL than do Air Raid quarterbacks. Westbrook may only have the knowledge of a limited Air Raid route tree, but his breakaway speed will elevate his draft stock. He feels like a guy that can climb up draft boards with a big bowl game, a big performance in the Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine.

We’ve seen that Westbrook has great hands and can high-point the ball in man coverage vertically. He is elusive between the hash marks, and while Westbrook doesn’t have the physicality to be a possession receiver, the senior can make plays in all areas of the field.

His biggest draft criticisms are that he’s slight of build (6’0″, 175 pounds ) and that the Big 12 doesn’t play all that much defense. Westbrook could definitely get pushed around in the NFL, and could have serious trouble getting open in press man coverage. He’s not the return man of a Tyler Lockett, but could be that type of a vertical complement to an NFL offense.

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Westbrook will need to go to a team with a great offensive coordinator that loves to run play action or likes to go vertical with an Air Coryell attack. If he goes to a bubble screen team, he has no chance. He feels like a day to pick with serious boom-bust potential as an NFL prospect.

Ceiling: DeSean Jackson
Median: Ted Ginn Jr.
Floor: Sammie Coates

2017 NFL Draft prospects: Day two. Bowl game, Senior Bowl, and NFL Scouting Combine makes him an early to mid-third round pick.

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