Oklahoma State capped off a successful year, despite a title game snub, with a thrilling Fiesta Bowl win over Stanford this past year. That success will also translate to the 2012 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys are expected to have at least one, and potentially two, first-round picks with wide receiver Justin Blackmon and quarterback Brandon Weeden.
Coming into the NFL's offseason, Blackmon was considered an elite prospect at the wide receiver position. His stock has slipped, though. So much so that SB Nation now projects Notre Dame's Michael Floyd to be the first wide receiver taken on Thursday night, at No. 8 overall to the Miami Dolphins. Blackmon is still projected to be a top ten pick, going No. 10 overall to the Buffalo Bills, who are looking to challenge the New England Patriots and New York Jets for AFC East supremacy.
SB Nation doesn't have Weeden projected to be a first round pick, but he is likely going to be an early second rounder. Weeden has been linked to the Cleveland Browns, who might be eyeing him with their early second round selection. If he does end up in Cleveland, Weeden will have a chance to immediately step into the starting role.
Markelle Martin will likely be selected in the early rounds of the draft as well. CBS Sports ranks Martin as the No. 2 free safety available in this year's draft, and the No. 105 prospect overall. With the emergence of tight ends as a major offensive weapon, safeties will almost certainly be at a premium in the NFL going forward as cogs to slow down tight ends.
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