Three Texas Longhorns Projected To Go In First In Latest ESPN NFL Mock Draft
We are officially less than a month away from the NFL Draft taking place, and Texas fans have never had a reason to be more excited than they do this year.
Obviously, Bijan Robinson going on the top 10 of last year's draft was significant for a program that hadn't produced a first-round pick since 2015, or a top 10 pick since 2006 when both Vince Young and Michael Huff went No. 3 and No. 7 respectively. This season could be even bigger for Texas. While they aren't projected to have a top 10 pick, in ESPN Matt Miller's latest NFL Draft they are projected to have three players go in the opening round.
Like most analysts, Miller is very high on Texas' wide receiver duo of Xavier Worthy and Adonai Mitchell who did nothing but make themselves money and help their draft stock during their combine and pro day showings. Worthy ran a record 40-yard dash time that has already put him in the Hall of Fame, while Mitchell also ran a blazing 40, and showcased his ability to bring in every ball in the same stratosphere as him.
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II has also been a staple in the first round in just about every single mock, and that didn't change for Miller who had him being taken with the No. 15 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Miller explained that Murphy would be a great pairing with Colts star defensive lineman, DeForest Buckner.
Mitchell was the next Longhorn off the board, as he was projected to go with the No. 28 overall pick by the Buffalo Bills. Miller explained that he can immediately be the deep ball threat they lost in Gabe Davis, and pair nicely with Stefon Diggs. He also hinted at the fact that with Diggs getting older and seemingly always calling for a trade, Mitchell is the perfect type of player to step into that WR1 role.
Just four picks later to close out the round was Worthy going to the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. This wouldn’t come as a surprise at all considering their wide receiver room was the weakest it had been in the Mahomes era, and the Chiefs' star quarterback was not shy about liking what Worthy brought to the table with his speed as he shouted him out on social media and reportedly messaged him. Worthy has also publicly stated he wants to get drafted by the Chiefs, so Miller like the rest of us, is penciling in the next dynamic connection in the NFL.
Aside from those three going in the first, defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat and running back Jonathon Brooks were projected second-round picks. Tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders, linebacker Jaylan Ford, and offensive tackle Christian Jones were all projected as thirds, and receiver Jordan Whittington is projected as a seventh-round pick. This would give Texas a monster class of nine players, which is a number that will likely only grow as years go by under Steve Sarkisian.
Texas fans have a lot of talent to be excited about to say the least.