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NFL Draft tracker: How former OU football players fit with new teams

The 2023 NFL Draft began on Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri.

Here's a look at the OU players who were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft and how they fit with their new teams:

More: Tramel's ScissorTales: Big 12 fares well in first round of NFL Draft, with six picks

Anton Harrison, offensive lineman

Pick: Round 1, No. 27 overall

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Harrison became the first OU offensive lineman to get drafted in the first round since Lane Johnson went No. 4 overall to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013.

Harrison spent three seasons with the Sooners. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound left tackle recorded 24 starts during that time and earned a 2022 All-Big 12 first team selection.

Harrison impressed at the NFL Combine. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.98 seconds and posted a vertical jump of 28.5 inches.

Harrison could fill an immediate need for the Jaguars, who'll likely begin the upcoming season without Cam Robinson. Multiple reports stated Thursday that the starting left tackle is facing a multi-game suspension for violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drug policy.

Robinson could be suspended for two, six or eight games depending on which prohibited substance is found in his B sample. And while Robinson is expected to appeal any suspension, Harrison could see time on the field if that appeal is unsuccessful.

More: Why OU football's DeMarco Murray says Eric Gray is poised to be an NFL Draft 'steal'

Marvin Mims, wide receiver

Pick: Round 2, No. 63 overall

Team: Denver Broncos

Mims spent three seasons with the Sooners. The 5-11, 183-pound receiver hauled in 123 passes for 2,398 yards and 20 touchdowns during that time.

Mims ranks eighth in OU program history in receiving yards thanks in part to his speed, which gives him big-play potential. He averaged 19.5 yards per catch throughout his career.

Mims now joins a Denver team that ranked 15th in the league in total receiving yards this past season (4,007).

Mims can also carve out a role in the return game with the Broncos, who signed free-agent cornerback/kick returner Tremon Smith to a two-year deal in March but still needed more depth. Mims averaged 36 yards per kick return and 11.8 yards per punt return during his time with OU.

More: NFL draft picks tracker 2023: Live updates, analysis of second and third rounds

Wanya Morris, offensive lineman

Oklahoma's Wanya Morris (64) lines up during a spring football game for the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 24, 2021.
Oklahoma's Wanya Morris (64) lines up during a spring football game for the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, April 24, 2021.

Pick: Round 3, No. 92 overall

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Wanya Morris began his career at Tennessee before spending two seasons at OU.

The 6-6, 310-pound right tackle made eight starts this past season, and he earned an All-Big 12 second team selection.

Morris joins the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs, and he should be able to compete for the starting right tackle spot right away. His biggest competition is third-year pro Lucas Niang.

If Morris is able to get the starting nod in Kansas City, he'll join former Sooner Creed Humphrey, who is the team's Pro Bowl center.

More: Tramel: Cale Gundy tells the inside story of Kyler Murray's recruitment to OU football

Eric Gray, running back

OU running back Eric Gray (0) talks with teammates on the bench during the second half of a 27-13 win at Iowa State on Oct. 29, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.
OU running back Eric Gray (0) talks with teammates on the bench during the second half of a 27-13 win at Iowa State on Oct. 29, 2022, in Ames, Iowa.

Pick: Round 5, No. 172 overall

Team: New York Giants

Gray’s pick extended the Sooners streak of having at least four players drafted in every draft since 2008.

Gray ran for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, perhaps the brightest spot for the Sooners offensively.

Gray finished his career with 3,089 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons in Norman and two at Tennessee.

He also showed the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, with 99 catches for 827 yards and five touchdowns receiving during his career.

With star running back Saquon Barkley in a standoff with the team, Gray gives the Giants more depth at the position.

Gray is the second running back picked by the Giants since Barkley was drafted in 2018, joining 2021 pick Gray Brightwell.

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Brayden Willis, tight end

Pick: Round 7, No. 247 overall

Team: San Francisco 49ers

Willis played in 58 games for the Sooners over five seasons, but blossomed in 2023 in Jeff Lebby’s offense.

He finished his final season with 39 catches for 514 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns. Only Marvin Mims had more catches or receiving yards for the Sooners this season.

He also spent time as a wildcat quarterback after Dillon Gabriel’s injury early in Big 12 play.

Willis had 75 catches for 998 yards and 13 touchdowns during his career.

He’s the first OU tight end drafted since Mark Andrews was picked in the third round in 2018.

Free-agent signings

Several other Sooners went undrafted but have already signed with NFL teams. Here's a look:

Justin Broiles, Chicago Bears

C.J. Coldon, Minnesota Vikings

Chris Murray, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jalen Redmond, Carolina Panthers

Michael Turk, Miami Dolphins

—Justin Martinez and Ryan Aber, Staff writers

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NFL Draft 2023: How Oklahoma football players fit with their new teams