Three Oregon Ducks Listed in Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 NFL Draft Prospects

Oregon is projected to be well-represented in this year's NFL Draft with another group of talented players heading to the game's highest level.

The 2024 NFL Scouting Combine gets underway this week at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week, which means we're one step closer to draft season.

A number of Oregon players received invites to the combine, headlined by quarterback Bo Nix, interior offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson and wide receiver Troy Franklin among others.

On Monday, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah released his second version of the top 50 prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.

A trio of Oregon Ducks made Jeremiah's list, which you can read in full here.

No. 26: QB Bo Nix

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

"Nix is an experienced quarterback (61 starts at Oregon and Auburn) with outstanding accuracy and toughness. He has average height and a thick/sturdy frame. He is at his best in the quick-rhythm passing game. He has quick feet in his setup, scans the field with urgency and accurately delivers the ball. He has a compact release and generates velocity to drive the ball to all three levels. 

"He shows touch to layer the ball over linebackers and under safeties. He is accurate on designed rollouts. He does need to improve habits under duress, though, as he occasionally fails to feel back-side run-throughs and also falls off some throws when faced with interior pressure. He’s an urgent athlete and is effective as a runner, especially on zone reads. His coaches rave about his leadership and toughness. Overall, Nix’s combination of competitiveness, intelligence and experience reminds me of Jalen Hurts coming out of college."

No. 29: IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

"Powers-Johnson has experience at all three interior offensive line spots and has spent time at defensive tackle, as well. He was outstanding at the center position in 2023, and that’s where I expect him to play at the next level. He has good size, exceptional quickness and steady balance. In pass pro, he sets vertically and is able to catch and absorb versus power rushers. 

"He does an excellent job reworking his hands to maintain position and is a nasty helper when uncovered. In the run game, he uses his upper-body power to torque/turn defenders, generating a lot of movement at the point of attack. He is quick working up to the second level and takes good angles. Overall, there aren’t many holes in his game. I love his bulldog playing style."

No. 37: WR Troy Franklin

Darby Winter/Ducks Digest

"Franklin is a tall, lanky wideout with big-time speed. He lines up outside and in the slot. A very smooth runner, he almost floats over the turf. He can destroy coverage cushions very quickly. Franklin understands how to set up defenders at the top of the route, and he is very efficient at the break point. 

"He caught a lot of fades and go balls in the system at Oregon. He can really track and high-point the ball, but does have some contact drops in traffic. He also struggles to corral balls on his back hip when he's running away on crossers. Franklin piles up yards after the catch because of his pure speed. Overall, he needs to be more consistent with his hands, but he's shown the ability to provide plenty of explosive plays for his offense."

Powers-Johnson and Franklin are the two Oregon players that have consistently appeared in the first-round of numerous NFL mock drafts, but a strong combine performance from Nix could help him solidify his standing in a loaded quarterback draft class.

Oregon has produced a first-round pick in each of the last four drafts but hasn't had two first-round selections since 2015, when quarterback Marcus Mariota and defensive end Arik Armstead were selected with the No. 2 and No. 17 picks respectively. 

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