Why a NFL Team Should Give Shawn Oakman a Chance (@Broncos?)

Shawn Oakman, the former Baylor star defensive end has just closed the hardest chapter of his life. Oakman was found not guilty after a long winding court case that resulted in his accuser being exposed as a liar who tried (and succeeded) to end his career.

Oakman has been working out and playing semi pro according to reports but word is that he has also hit financial hardship. He had to pay out over $120,000 in cash to lawyers and sold his Bowl ring on eBay to do so.

Oakman sat down with Ben Raymond on ‘The Rebirth’ to discuss putting the pieces back together:

So why should a team take him on? There are guys playing in the NFL right now who I won’t name that have been in the headlines for much worse than being lied on.

Here is what I wrote about Oakman around the time he was a top prospect:

I’m not bashing the guy at all. Believe me, I really want to put him #1 on my next mock draft but I just can’t if I don’t see him executing the level of dominance the aforementioned Suh or Mingo displayed in college. Oakman has all the tools but lacks something that those great players had. Maybe its technique, maybe its instinct. Whatever it is I hope he figures it out and doesn’t turn into another case of “what should have been” in the Vernon Gholston and Jarvis Moss territory.

At only 27 Oakman has at lest 5 seasons of good football left in him. Teams should be knocking down the door to give the Big Oak a try out.