Versatility boosted the draft value of Brailford
STILLWATER — Jordan Brailford had the ability. Jim Knowles provided the opportunity.
With a season of the two together at Oklahoma State, Brailford was given the chance to show a wider range of skills. When Knowles arrived in Stillwater to be the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator last winter, he immediately recognized Brailford as a versatile player who fit
perfectly into Knowles’ creative style.
He used the 6-foot3, 250-pound Brailford as a traditional defensive end, as a stand-up edge rusher, as a middle linebacker, and on a few occasions, in pass coverage.
Brailford will play his final OSU game when the Cowboys take on Missouri in the Liberty Bowl at 2:45 p.m. Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tennessee.
After that, his focus will turn to the NFL, now that the fifth-year junior has announced his intentions to turn pro.
In his NFL pursuits, Brailford will be tagged with that increasingly more common term, “edge,” the category for players who could be an end on a four-man line, or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.
And the versatility only stands to increase his value on teams’ draft boards when the draft arrives April 25-27.
“Coach Knowles gave me a lot of freedom in the defense this year to move around and come from different parts of the field all year,” Brailford said. “I definitely think it’s gonna help me in the long run, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to play in this defense in my final year.”
Brailford remains grounded in assessing his draft value.
He says he’s talked to knowledgeable people, most of whom expect him to be a third-day pick, putting him in the fourth to seventh rounds.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Brailford as the No. 9 defensive end in the class at a deep and talent-filled position.
Brailford’s injury issues early in his career will likely lead to some extensive examinations by NFL teams.
But he has remained healthy for two full seasons, finally getting the chance to showcase his speed in pass rushing situations and in pursuit of ball-carriers.
The Draft Network’s Brad Kelly praises Brailford’s long body and ability to “reach and press on his pass rush,” Kelly wrote. “Solid hand usage with an array of moves, using swift and active swipes against opposing blockers. Shows an ability to read and react from both the a 3-point stance and as a stand-up outside linebacker. Flashes pursuit quickness in pass rush. NFL-ready body and frame.”
With the bowl game still remaining, Brailford has 9.0 sacks and 16.0 tackles for loss, both of which rank in the top 25 nationally.
He’ll have the Liberty Bowl, OSU’s pro day, and likely the NFL Combine to showcase his talents further before the draft arrives.
“He has a combination of speed and power and he has really good flexibility,” OSU coach Mike Gundy said. “Even in the NFL, those guys that are good pass-rushers that can carry a certain speed up til they need to get under the blocks. At this point, he has shown that he can accomplish that goal and stay healthy to do it.”