NFL 3-Round Mock Draft: Longhorns Overlooked?

Despite what previous mock drafts have shown, the Texas Longhorns aren't as heavily represented in a recent three-round mock from ESPN.

The 2022 NFL Draft didn't feature a single Texas Longhorn selected, the first time that's happened since 2014. Texas fans didn't (and haven't) heard the end of it.

That certainly won't be the case this time around when the 2023 NFL Draft kicks off on April 27 in Kansas City. Former Texas running back Bijan Robinson has made sure that won't happen again, as he's a surefire first-round pick and is almost guaranteed to be the first running back off the board.

Draft projections and mock drafts have shown us that a handful of other Longhorns are slated to go off the board after Robinson. But in recent three-round mock from ESPN, this isn't projected to be the case.

Robinson is unsurprisingly selected early in this scenario. But through the rest of the first and the next two rounds, it's hard to find many Longhorns despite what previous mock drafts have shown.

No. 10, Philadelphia Eagles - RB Bijan Robinson

No surprises that Robinson's the first Longhorn off the board. Robinson has been projected as high as a top-10 pick, though given he plays running back, could certainly fall into the 20s. However, this would be far from a disappointment, as Robinson is regarded as one of the most talented players in the entire draft. No. 10 seems to be Robinson's absolute selection ceiling, though teams could certainly swing on him in this range with fears that he'll be gone by the time they pick again.

Here's what ESPN's Todd McShay had to say about the pick:

Look, I know he might not go this high, and we can spend hours talking about running back value in Round 1. But Robinson is my No. 2 overall prospect and makes sense in this Eagles offense. He is a complete back who could dominate alongside newly-extended quarterback Jalen Hurts in the backfield.

No. 96, Arizona Cardinals - RB Roschon Johnson

Johnson is the final Longhorn selected in this mock. This might come as a bit of a surprise considering that Keondre Coburn, DeMarvion Overshown and Moro Ojomo were all selected higher than him in a seven-round mock draft that ESPN released on March 30.

The fact that Johnson managed to not be overshadowed by Robinson during their time at Texas together speaks volumes to the kind of player he is. NFL scouts have reportedly been noticing and salivating as a result.

The former quarterback possesses a combination of power and downhill speed with the ability to throw in a hurdle in the open field every now and then. Add that to the fact that he's an electric play-maker on special teams, and Johnson being the last of the Longhorns selected seems a bit unrealistic here.

Here's what McShay had to say about the pick:

Arizona ranked 20th in yards per rush (4.3) and 27th in runs of 10-plus yards (42) last season. I know, I know. This roster has a lot of issues, but Johnson could put up big numbers for the Cards and give quarterback Kyler Murray more help

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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