Todd McShay goes bold with Oklahoma defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey

Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey is a big riser on ESPN NFL Draft expert Todd McShay’s draft board. Winfrey impressed McShay with a strong showing during Senior Bowl week earlier in the month. The former JUCO star turned Oklahoma star could find himself selected much earlier than expected once the draft arrives in late April.

McShay believes that Oklahoma’s defensive scheme doesn’t really show off Winfrey’s strengths, but that he did a good job of showcasing his assets at the Senior Bowl.

“The third player that really jumped out to me in terms of moving up my rankings, Perrion Winfrey from Oklahoma,” McShay said. “Where you been my man? And I know part of it was the scheme. They do a lot of slanting at Oklahoma. it didn’t really feature his strengths.

“His first step, quickness was the best of any defensive lineman, or defensive tackle I should say in Mobile all week long. It was like every single drop, flying off the ball, penetrating, getting on the edge of offensive linemen. And by the time offensive linemen could get set, they had no chance. He was already working around the edge of them. He was productive throughout the week in practice, he had a sack in the game on Saturday.”

McShay bumped Winfrey up a whole round after the Senior Bowl

Winfrey began his collegiate career at the JUCO level, starring for Iowa Western. In two years there, he totaled 55 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and one forced fumble. During his first season at Oklahoma in 2020, Winfrey played in nine games, totaling 17 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and three passes defended. This past season, he had 23 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 11 games.

Even though Winfrey’s stats at Oklahoma don’t jump out in comparison to some other prospects, McShay believes that he is talented enough to warrant a second round selection.

“I’ve bumped him up to number 43 overall in this class,” added McShay. “I think he could be an early second round pick. Some people may say the nose tackle slash three technique defensive tackle could wind up going late in the first. But that was a big move up for me from the third round to the early second round range as the third defensive tackle in this class.”

The 2022 NFL Draft is set to take place from April 28-30 in Las Vegas.