With 13 players being invited to the NFL Combine, there’s a strong possibility that the Washington Huskies will have the most players taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Now that the Super Bowl has concluded, most football fans will shift to following mock drafts to get their gridiron fix.
Following Sunday’s game, Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema released a mock draft entailing the top two rounds, including five former Huskies.
With the fifth overall pick, Sikkema gave wide receiver Rome Odunze to the Los Angeles Chargers, which would be a great fit for the first-team All-American. Odunze would instantly become one of quarterback Justin Herbert’s top targets and could end up as a premier building block for coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz while they attempt to rebuild the roster.
The only other Husky in the first round is offensive lineman Troy Fautanu, who Sikkema placed with the Seattle Seahawks at No. 16 overall. He would get the opportunity to play right away along the interior of Seattle’s offensive line. With two former Washington coaches on staff, it’s a perfect fit that would make Fautanu’s transition to guard and the NFL much easier.
Michael Penix Jr. dots pic.twitter.com/MjRmpuqjQv
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) February 10, 2024
It took until the 34th overall pick for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to come off the board, but in a trade with the New England Patriots, Sikkema projected that the Las Vegas Raiders would move up to take the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. While the Raiders have a lot of work to do to rebuild their offensive line under new head coach Antonio Pierce, Penix would have a great group of targets to throw, headlined by All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams.
At pick No. 40, the New York Jets selected wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. As general manager Joe Douglas tries to surround quarterback Aaron Rodgers with help, Polk would give him another reliable pass catcher to pair with wide receiver Garrett Wilson.
Finally, edge rusher Bralen Trice came off the board at pick No. 54 after being taken by the Philadelphia Eagles. After edge rusher Hasson Reddick requested a trade, Trice would step right in as a large part of a Philadelphia defensive front that has led the league in sacks over the last two seasons with 113.
All three of Washington’s second-round picks in Sikkema’s mock could make their way into the first round by the time the draft rolls around in late April as the draft process continues to vet the prospects.