2023 NFL Draft Recap: Six Oregon Ducks Selected

Oregon continues sending players to the NFL and is on an upward trajectory under Dan Lanning.

The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, with seven rounds of selections unfolding over three days.

As has become the norm, Alabama and Georgia led the way with 10 draft picks, while Oregon was one of seven schools to have six players selected. 

Here's a brief rundown of who was draft and where Ducks signed as undrafted free agents.

CB Christian Gonzalez-New England Patriots

Christian Gonzalez poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell at the 2023 NFL Draft / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Gonzalez was selected by the New England Patriots with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft. He follows in the footsteps of Kayon Thibodeaux, Penei Sewell and Justin Herbert as former Oregon players to go in the first round.

He was projected to be a top-10 pick, but falling to the Patriots might not be the worst thing in the world since he'll play for a better team than those that were projected to draft him. Gonzalez is the first Oregon defensive back to be taken in the first round since Alex Molden in 1996 (New Orleans Saints).

OLB DJ Johnson-Carolina Panthers

Oregon outside linebacker DJ Johnson at the Ducks' 2023 Pro Day in Eugene :: © Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

To the surprise of many, Johnson was the next Duck off the board at No. 80 overall in the third round to Carolina. 

He tested well at the NFL Scouting combine and has a lot of upside as an athletic edge rusher. After bouncing back and forth between offense and defense prior to 2022, it looks like honing in on playing with his hand in the dirt paid off.

LB Noah Sewell-Chicago Bears

Oregon linebacker Noah Sewell at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine / © Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Noah Sewell was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 148th overall pick in the fifth round. 

Some in the Oregon community, myself included, thought Sewell would go before Johnson in the draft after a productive three years in Eugene. His upside as a jumbo athlete was part of what intrigued so many schools across the country when he was coming out of high school in 2020.

Now he's heading to the Windy City to play for a franchise that's been known for fielding historic defenses.

OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu-Baltimore Ravens

Oregon OL Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu at the Ducks 2023 Pro Day :: © Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Baltimore Ravens selected Big Sala with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round of the draft.

The former JUCO standout opted to stay another year in Eugene after initially declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft and it looks like it paid off. He'll get to play for one of the better offenses in the NFL and could carve out a role due to his surprising agility at 6'6", 317 pounds.

DL Jordon Riley-New York Giants

Oregon DL Jordon Riley goes through drills at Pro Day :: © Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The New York Giants selected Riley with the 243rd overall pick in the seventh round. 

Riley didn't have a massive role at Oregon but he did make an impact during his one season in Eugene. His move to the Big Apple puts him on the same squad as Oregon's first-round pick last year, outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

OL Alex Forstyh-Denver Broncos

Alex Forsyth goes through drills at Oregon's 2023 Pro Day :: © Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Denver Broncos selected Oregon's center with the 257th pick in the seventh round.

I was surprised that he was still on the board this late in the draft as one of the smartest and productive offensive linemen in the country. Forsyth doesn't project to start in 2023 but should stick around on an NFL roster for years to come.

Undrafted free agent signings

DB Bennett Williams-Miami Dolphins

WR Chase Cota-Detroit Lions

OL TJ Bass-Dallas Cowboys

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