2017 NFL Draft: Oregon State’s Five Potential Next Level Prospects

A trio of gifted offensive linemen spearhead a group of five Oregon State talents, who are in the mix to hear their names called at the 2017 NFL Draft.

By The_Coach Jan 2, 2017, 7:50am PST

With the start of a new year, there’s no time like the present to begin to check in on the list of Oregon State players from last season’s 4-8 roster that may hear their name called at the 2017 NFL Draft in late April. As a program, Oregon State had just one player drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft (Center Isaac Seumalo: 16th Pick, 3rd Round - #79 Overall by Philadelphia Eagles), after not having a player selected in the 2015 NFL Draft. The program’s last first round draft pick was wide receiver Brandin Cooks, who went 20th overall to the New Orleans Saints in 2014.

[Projections and rankings from CBS Sports were used in this post]

161. Sean Harlow (OG - 6’ 4”, 310 lbs.)

Position Rank: #10 | Projected: 5th Round

The likely only “sure pick” from the Beavers in this year’s upcoming draft, Harlow returned from a broken leg injury to start the final nine games of the season for Oregon State, which was capped off by being named as a “Second Team All Pac-12 Selection”. While he’s projected to move from his left tackle spot to an offensive guard position at the next level, Harlow’s career-long production has been more than enough to keep his position situated firmly as a likely 5th round pick. Harlow is ranked by CBS Sports as the tenth-best offensive guard prospect, behind fellow Pac-12 stand-outs in UCLA’s Scott Quessenberry (#5) and USC’s Zach Banner (#8). Indiana’s Dan Feeney is projected to be the first offensive guard taken in the draft.

Oregon State v Colorado — Sean Harlow could be the first offensive guard/tackle taken from Oregon State since Andy Levitre was selected in the 2nd round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.

334. Treston Decoud (CB - 6’ 2”, 208 lbs.)

Position Rank: #39 | Projected: 7th Round/Free Agent

One for the few “heart and soul” players of the Beavers defense last season, cornerback Treston Decoud quickly became a staple of the Oregon State secondary, after transferring to the school from Northwest Mississippi CC back in 2015. The Covington, Louisiana native appeared in all twelve games during his senior campaign, tallying 58 tackles (46 solo), while also breaking up 10 passes and snagging 2 interceptions. Decoud was an interesting omission from the All Pac-12 teams but he did earn an Honorable Mention accolade from the conference. Ranked as the 39th-best cornerback by CBS Sports, Decoud may get a chance to rise his stock at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, a showcase game for potential NFL talents that will be played in late January in Mobile, Alabama, as well as at the NFL Combine, to which the standout cornerback was just recently invited.

NCAA FOOTBALL: NOV 26 Oregon at Oregon State — Treston Decoud was a game-changing presence for the Oregon State defense during his two seasons in Corvallis. Could a Senior Bowl invite help to secure his spot in the NFL Draft?

407. Gavin Andrews (OG - 6’ 5”, 328 lbs.)

Position Rank: #25 | Projected: Not Drafted

Another Oregon State offensive lineman who has a bit of experience at a few different spots along the front-five, injuries to both Gavin Andrews and his teammates caused the big man to gain the experience that he might need to fill an open vacancy on an NFL roster. It’s just getting that chance to prove himself that now could be the key for Gavin Andrews. While the jury may be out on if Andrews will be viewed as a guard or a center by NFL scouts, his versatility could make him an intriguing option for a team searching for offensive front depth in the latter rounds. CBS Sports ranks Andrews as the 25th-best offensive guard prospect, right behind two smaller school prospects in North Dakota State’s Zack Johnson (#23) and Wyoming’s Chase Roullier (#24).

480. Dustin Stanton (OT - 6’ 6”, 305)

Position Rank: #35 | Projected: Not Drafted

The type of offensive lineman that most coaches dream of having on their roster, Dustin Stanton was a stalwart on the end of the offensive line for Oregon State since the middle of his sophomore season and in his two-plus full years lining up in black and orange, few players embodied what it means to a Beaver more than Stanton did. With an imposing 6’ 6”, 305 pound frame, Stanton looks far different than the once-tight end prospect that first showed up on campus a few seasons ago but some of the natural mobility and footwork still remains inside this monstrous talent. Stanton is ranked as the 35th-best offensive tackle prospect by CBS Sports, a spot behind Arizona’s Freddie Tagaloa, a colossal 6’ 7”, 320 pound specimen in his own right. Alabama’s Cam Robinson is projected to be the first offensive tackle taken overall in the draft.

648. Victor Bolden Jr. (WR - 5’ 9”, 185)

Position Rank: #80 | Projected: Not Drafted

Exciting. Electric. Elusive. The adjectives to describe Victor Bolden Jr. could go on and on but at the end of the day, it’s nearly impossible to talk about Oregon State football over the past few seasons without his name coming up. Seemingly every time there was a big moment, Victor Bolden Jr. was there. Bolden Jr., who led the team in his senior season with 46 catches for 542 yards and two scores, is a consistent big-play threat who uses his glaring speed to constantly keep opposing defenses on their toes. Sounds like a perfect guy to be selected for an NFL roster, if the potential fit is there. An undersized receiver that could be used in the slot, Bolden Jr. could nicely mold himself into a hybrid flex-back/special teams returner role for an NFL team, who are looking for a late round steal. Largely underrated as the 80th-best wide receiver prospect by CBS Sports, Bolden Jr. is projected to be undrafted and will have to take his chances in making an NFL roster via an invite to training camp.

NCAA FOOTBALL: OCT 22 Oregon State at Washington — Victor Bolden Jr. was a highlight-reel playmaker who leaves behind a litany of memorable moments. Being selected by an NFL team? Now, that could cap off one of the most enjoyable Beavers careers in recent memory.