Tag: Longhorns in NFL

CBS Mock Draft: Longhorns Receiver Heading To New England

In the latest CBS Sports mock draft, the New England Patriots select Texas Longhorns wide receiver Devin Duvernay in the third round.

CBS Sports writer R.J. White recently released his latest 2020 Mock Draft that including the first three rounds. In recent mock draft roundups, the Texas Longhorns typically didn’t find themselves on the list before round four until White penciled in a top Longhorns’ pass catcher to the New England Patriots.

Projected comp pick. The Patriots are well-positioned to take advantage of the depth in this receiver class in Round 3, where they’re expected to have multiple compensatory picks. Duvernay is a guy who can stretch the defense.

The New England Patriots are in desperate need for weapon on the outside, especially if they want veteran quarterback and six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady to return in 2020. The Patriots’ top pass catcher Julia Edelman will be 34 going into next season. The team added N’Keal Harry out of Arizona State in last year’s draft but he contributed just 105 yards on 12 receptions.

Duvernay’s addition would give the Patriots a legit number two target as they try and develop Harry into the top wide receiver role. Behind Edelman, the Pats top receiver was running back James White. Duv helps take the pressure away from not having the tight end threat New England has had over the years in Rob Gronkowski.

The Patriots have two wide receivers that are scheduled to be free agents in Phillip Dorsett and Matthew Slater. Dorsett accounted for 397 yards and five touchdowns while Slater didn’t record a reception. Duvernay alleviates the loss of Dorsett with tremendous upside at the position.

NFL Combine Invites: Four Longhorns Heading To Indianapolis

The NFL Scouting Combine workouts start on February 28th and there will be four Texas Longhorns who will participate in the festivities.

The dream of playing in the NFL has a few steps along the way such as the post season bowl games like the NFLPA Bowl, the East West Shrine Game and the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Another one of those steps prior to Pro Day workouts will be the NFL Scouting Combine.

The scouting combine takes place in Indianapolis, Indiana at the home of the Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium. For this event 337 NFL Draft hopefuls will workouts on February 28th and it goes through March 2nd. This marks the biggest job interview for some of these players looking to make the jump to chasing their dream. Of the 337 invitees, 29 hail from the Big 12 Conference and four are Texas Longhorns.

Invite list:

  • Devin Duvernay, Wide Receiver
  • Collin Johnson, Wide Receiver
  • Brandon Jones, Safety
  • Malcolm Roach, Defensive Lineman

Friday the 28th will feature the running backs, offensive lineman and special teams. Saturday the 29th will feature the quarterbacks, wide receivers and tight ends. On Sunday March 1st the feature positions will be edge rushers, defensive lineman and linebackers. The cornerbacks and safeties will finish up on Monday March 2nd.

 

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Two Longhorns selected in round three

Former Longhorns Brandon Jones and Collin Johnson are expected to be selected in round three of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Two former Longhorns are widely projected to be selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Although safety Brandon Jones and wide receiver Collin Johnson are the two highest-rated draft prospects out of Texas, wide receiver Devin Duvernay isn’t far behind.

Let’s take an updated look at where NFL Draft Scout’s predict these former Longhorns to land.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller recently released a full seven-round mock draft that has two former Texas players selected within the Top 100.

Brandon Jones – No. 87 overall pick to the Buffalo Bills

Collin Johnson – No. 98 overall pick to the New York Giants

Devin Duvernay – No. 129 overall pick (Round 4) to the Minnesota Vikings

NFL.com’s draft analyst Chad Reuter recently released a three-round mock draft that believes Jones and Johnson will be chosen much earlier.

Brandon Jones – No. 73 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Collin Johnson – No. 75 overall pick to the Indianapolis Colts

Don’t miss rounds three and four of the 2020 NFL Draft, as it appears Texas’ top draft prospects will be taken off the board very close together.

WATCH: Collin Johnson Makes Catch Plus Senior Bowl Notes

In day three of the Senior Bowl practice week, Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay continued to make a name for themselves.

Collin Johnson is having quite the week in Mobile, Alabama in preparation of the Senior Bowl. His route running and catches have been a site to see during practices this week.

Watch as Johnson makes a catch in the back of the end zone, showing that he can make the high concentration grab and as a bonus gets both feet down. A little different from college football that only requires one. Here is a view of the same catch from a different angle.

This week Johnson had quite the performance and showed exactly what he brings to the table. Both he and Devin Duvernay caught three of four passes in the one on one drills today. Johnson has the size and really showed a bit of wiggle that allowed him to create some separation. Which was his biggest knock during his time at Texas, could he create enough separation at the NFL level.

Devin Duvernay didn’t have the same type of week in terms of highlight reel catches but he showed off his biggest attribute which is his strong hands. In college he didn’t drop a single pass and that is invaluable at the next level.

The calling card from Duvernay is going to be speed and route running. Both of which he does at a high level, many teams at the next level could use a player with his skillset.

What the duo was able to do in Mobile this week can only help their draft status this week. Currently seen as day three prospects, the wide receivers could find their way to the second day of the draft with consistent showings this week in practice.

WATCH: Texas ex Justin Tucker nails 70-yard field goal at Pro Bowl

Former Texas kicker Justin Tucker is casually enjoying his time at the NFL Pro Bowl by drilling 70-yard field goals.

To no surprise, former Texas kicker Justin Tucker was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl at the completion of the 2019 season. The all-star game will take place on Sunday, January 26, in Orlando, Florida.

What may come as a surprise, however, is Tucker casually nailing a 70-yard field goal during Pro Bowl practice this week as if it were a normal occurrence.

Tucker made 28 of 29 field goals and 57 of 59 extra points for the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. This marked his second-highest season percentage of ninety-six percent.

One of the most impressive accolades for the former Longhorn is being selected to five All Pro teams throughout his tenure in the NFL, four of those being First-Team selections.

WATCH: Former Texas WR’s Duvernay, Johnson impress at Senior Bowl

Former Texas receivers Devin Duvernay and Collin Johnson have arguably been the two best receivers on the South roster at the Senior Bowl.

Former Texas wide receivers Collin Johnson and Devin Duvernay continue to impress NFL scouts and executives at the Senior Bowl this week. After day two of practices, they have surprisingly been the best receivers on the South roster.

At nearly 6-foot-6, Johnson has seemingly been unstoppable. Several scouts have been noticeably impressed with Johnson’s ability to get in and out of his breaks and stacking cornerbacks vertically. Take a peek at a few more highlights from his second day of practices below.

Although much of the hype was centered around Johnson yesterday, Duvernay has quietly had a strong week of practices also. Duvernay is one of the fastest players at the Senior Bowl, and has a thick lower frame that accompanies strong hands to make catches through contact.

Johnson and Duvernay are currently projected to be selected in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Expect that draft stock to increase significantly if their Senior Bowl week continues down this exciting path.

Former Longhorn kicker named First-Team All Pro

The former Longhorn kicker has now been selected to five All Pro teams.

An incredibly consistent kicker for the Texas Longhorns in 2010 and 2011, Justin Tucker never seemed to miss a beat while beginning his professional career with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012. The same kicker the city of Austin, TX confidently enjoyed watching quickly became an indispensable player for the Ravens.

Receiving an All Pro selection is a prestigious reward that isn’t taken lightly around the league. Tucker is almost as consistent with All Pro selections as he is on the field. Since entering the league, the former Longhorn has been selected to five All Pro teams, four being First-Team selections.

According to ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley, Tucker was selected by a comfortable margin.

The National Football League uses press organizations such as Associated Press (AP) and Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) to select the best player at each position during that respective season.

Tucker has made 28 of 29 field goals and 57 of 59 extra points for the Ravens in 2019. This marks his second-highest season percentage of ninety-six percent.