Tag: ProDucks

Oregon legend Penei Sewell becomes highest-paid OL in NFL history with Detroit Lions

Former Duck and current Detroit O-lineman Penei Sewell is about to become the richest O-lineman in the history of the NFL.

We knew Penei Sewell is a large human and now his contract will match the former Oregon Duck’s size.

According to ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter, the Detroit Lions is set to extend Sewell for another four years worth $112 million, $83 million guaranteed, making it the largest contract for an offensive lineman in league history.

Sewell will be entering his fourth season in the NFL after being drafted No. 7 overall by the Lions, who were floundering at the time. But in three short seasons, Detroit is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. They narrowly lost in the  NFC Championship Game a year ago.

Sewell has been to the Pro Bowl twice already and has made one All-Pro team as well.

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Report: Troy Dye reunites with Justin Herbert in Los Angeles

Former Oregon linebacker Troy Dye has signed a one-year contract with the Chargers, reuniting him with Justin Herbert.

Sales of Los Angeles Charger jerseys are going to receive an uptick in Oregon.

Not only does former quarterback Justin Herbert lead the Chargers offense, but now former Oregon linebacker Troy Dye signed with Los Angeles as a free agent.

The Norco, Calif. native played out his initial four-year contract with Minnesota where he played in 60 games. But playing time with the Vikings was going to be diminished some, so Dye hit the market and his now going back to his home state.

He signed a one-year deal, but should have a good chance at being a starter for the Super Bowl hopefuls. Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. signed a two-year contract with the Tennessee Titans and his backup, Amen Ogbongbemiga, signed with the Chicago Bears.

In his four seasons up in Minnesota, Dye had 80 tackles, 44 solo, and 1 forced fumble. Dye started eight games.

Trio of Ducks selected in first-round of post-combine NFL Draft

PFF says Bo Nix, Troy Franklin and Jackson Powers-Johnson all improved their draft stock with good showings at the combine.

Before the NFL Combine occurred last weekend, former Oregon players Troy Franklin, a receiver and center Jackson Powers-Johnson were slotted as late first-round, early second-round selections by most mock drafts.

But after Franklin sped through the 40-yard dash, Powers-Johnson showed off his brute strength, and Nix showed his arm strength, all are considered strong first-round possibilities.

According to PFF.com, Powers-Johnson shouldn’t have to go that far from Eugene as he could be picked No. 16 to Seattle.

This is what writer Gordon McGuinness had to say about Powers-Johnson and the Seahawks.

Evan Brown is an unrestricted free agent and ranked 27th among starting centers in PFF grade in 2023, while 2023 fifth-round draft pick Olusegun Oluwatimi didn’t show enough to make passing on Powers-Johnson an option. Impressive as both a run- and pass-blocker, he allowed just four total pressures on 758 pass-blocking snaps in college.

Franklin will have a longer flight after he’s drafted as PFF says he could go No. 21 to Miami.

“The Dolphins are top-heavy at the wide receiver position, with little to get excited about beyond Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle,” McGuinness said. “Adding a third option like Franklin could help keep this offense ticking. The Oregon standout averaged 3.32 yards per route run last season, trailing only Nabers and Harrison in this class.”

There’s one more Oregon player that improved their draft stock and that of course is quarterback Bo Nix. Where he might end up is quite interesting. PFF projects Nix to go to the Rams at No. 19. If this is the case, both Nix and Justin Herbert could rule Los Angeles in a few years.

“I ultimately think Nix — or whoever the fourth quarterback in this class winds up being — comes off the board earlier than this, but the fit here makes so much sense to me,” McGuinness said. “Nix earned the second-highest PFF grade among quarterbacks in this class. Drafting him (and the highs he brings) and letting him learn behind Matthew Stafford for a year would give him the best chance of success at the next level.”

Assessing Evan Williams’ performance at the 2024 NFL Combine

Assessing Evan Williams’ performance at the 2024 NFL Combine

All of the best college football has to offer have gathered in Indianapolis this weekend for the NFL Combine and Oregon safety Evan Williams is among those trying to help out his draft status.

Right now, scouts consider Williams as a backup safety who will play on special teams, but with a strong combine and the possibility of a good pro day in a couple of months, that evaluation will improve.

When Williams transferred to Oregon from Fresno State, he filled in a huge need at the back of the secondary for the one season he was a Duck. He may not have all the talent in the world as compared to those elite safeties, but an NFL team, should they choose to select him, will get a player who will outwork any of those elite players in camp.

Assessing Khyree Jackson’s performance at the 2024 NFL Combine

Assessing Oregon Ducks’ CB Khyree Jackson’s performance at the 2024 NFL Combine.

The 2024 NFL Draft Combine is well on its way in Indianapolis and Oregon Ducks’ cornerback Khyree Jackson led the way for the Ducks on Day 2 of the annual event.

Jackson, who transferred to Oregon from Alabama for his senior year, turned some heads, especially in the broad jump where he was near the top of the heap.

As for his overall grade, it was pretty good as the scouts rate Jackson as a solid backup for the potential to be a starter in the NFL. As with all things, it just depends on the team that selects him and what their specific needs are.

Here’s the breakdown of Jackson’s day at the combine.

Marcus Mariota on the cover? What could have been for NCAA Football 16

Oregon legendary quarterback Marcus Mariota could have been on the cover of EA Sports College Football 16 if franchise continued.

When nostalgia is done right, it can be epic, but when it’s done wrong, it can be a proverbial dumpster fire.

The gaming world is about to find out where the cookie crumbles when EA Sports’ College Football 25 comes out in July. All indications are there won’t be a dumpster fire to be found.

It’s been over a decade since EA has presented sports fans with a college football game due to legal reasons. Unfortunately, they had to stop right when Marcus Mariota was on the top of the world leading Oregon to a national title and holding a Heisman Trophy. CBS Sports says the Duck legend would have graced the cover of NCAA Football 16.

This was a very difficult cut to make, and it came down to a pair of quarterbacks that led their teams to a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff: Mariota and Florida State’s Jameis Winston. Both won the Heisman, with Winston following in Johnny Manziel’s footsteps as a freshman winner while also becoming the youngest player to ever take the Heisman home. What sets Mariota apart, however, is his consistent success. It also helps that Mariota plays for Oregon and its imminently marketable uniforms, which look great emblazoned on any promotional material. — Will Buckus, CBS Sports

Mariota would have been the best call here, but it would have been comical to have a picture of Winston spinning himself into oblivion in the Rose Bowl on the cover.

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PFF says wide receiver will be the focus of first round picks in draft

In the latest mock draft from PFF, Troy Franklin will go in the first round to Tampa Bay at No. 26.

According to the analytical website PFF.com, the one position that NFL teams will focus on in the first round is wide receiver.

It’s one of the best classes of receiver in quite some time and while quarterbacks are at a premium, they need elite athletes to throw to to make a difference.

In the latest mock NFL draft, PFF projects a total of seven receivers will be selected and one of those ball hawks will be Oregon’s own Troy Franklin. They think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are high on the 6-foot-3, 187-pounder from East Palo Alto, Calif.

Franklin blossomed as a player in his three seasons as a Ducks and really broke out in 2022 and 2023 with quarterback Bo Nix tossing him the pigskin. In those two seasons, Franklin caught 142 passes for 2,274 yards and 23 touchdowns.

PFF gives Franklin a grade of 84.9 overall and an 87.3 grade for receiving. Overall, he was the No. 29 receiver in the country.

The Buccaneers were in the lower third of the NFL where offense is concerned so it’s no surprise they’ll look for an upgrade in the receiver department and Franklin would certainly fit the bill here.

Troy Franklin lands with Super Bowl champions in latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft

Troy Franklin could be the missing piece to a three-peat puzzle for Super Bowl champs, according to latest mock draft.

As if the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t need another weapon in their arsenal.

According to the latest USA TODAY mock NFL draft, Oregon receiver Troy Franklin would fit in nicely with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions.

Writer Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, Franklin would be the last pick of the first round in April. This was is analysis.

“The 6-3, 180-pound Franklin is not the surehanded target that one might expect Kansas City to target after a season of errors from its receiving corps,” he said. “But his deep speed and run-after-catch ability would add vital explosiveness to a passing attack that has grown far too stale.”

That passing attack wasn’t too stale to win another Super Bowl, but there was talk immediately afterward that the Chiefs could be in a great situation to win a third straight Super Bowl for the first time in league history.

Middlehurst-Schwartz also said that Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson will go in the middle of the first round at No. 21 to the Miami Dolphins.

“A unanimous All-American this past season, Powers-Johnson showed off at the Senior Bowl, making a strong claim to be the first interior offensive lineman selected,” he said. “Rugged yet refined, he sizes up as exactly the kind of figure that Mike McDaniel would covet to enhance this offense.”

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Three Ducks get selected in first two rounds of post-Senior Bowl NFL mock draft

In the latest NFL mock draft from ESPN.com, three Ducks get selected in the first two rounds in April.

It’s the heart of mock draft season and with the success of the Oregon football team in 2023, the Ducks are sure to be prevalent in the 2024 NFL draft.

ESPN.com writer and draft analyst Matt Miller predicted how the first two rounds of the draft in April will go. In his mock draft, quarterback Bo Nix, wide receiver Troy Franklin and center Jackson Powers-Johnson were included.

First off the board was Nix to the Denver Broncos as the No. 12 pick.

With Russell Wilson expected to be released, the Broncos are on the hunt for a new franchise quarterback. Nix is coming off a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, where team scouts raved about his interviews and the work he did in practice. Nix, who started for three seasons at Auburn before transferring to Oregon in 2022, is experienced and pro-ready, and he has the accuracy (nation-leading 77.4 percent completion rate) and second-effort mobility to work well with coach Sean Payton’s scheme. This might feel early for Nix, but quarterbacks always rise, and scouts keep telling me that he is going to get drafted earlier than expected. — Miller

The Broncos have never found another John Elway. Perhaps another quarterback from the Pac-10/12 will do the trick.

Powers-Johnson is the next Duck to be selected, No. 28 pick to the Buffalo Bills.

Powers-Johnson, who was one of the stars of the Senior Bowl before leaving midway through the second practice with a hamstring injury, has a great combination of agility and size. The 334-pounder would immediately be one of the largest centers in the NFL, but he moves like someone 20 pounds lighter. He is a downhill blocker, but Buffalo would love his size in the middle of an offensive line that has renewed its commitment to running the ball. — Miller

As for Franklin, ESPN sees the Duck receiver going to Vegas and playing for the Raiders with the No. 44 pick of the draft in the second round. Miller has Las Vegas drafting Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy in the first round, and his new favorite target could be Franklin.

“Let’s give new quarterback McCarthy some friends in the passing game. Franklin is a vertical threat with awesome speed and a 6-foot-3 frame,” Miller said. “He grabbed 14 touchdowns in 2023 and picked up 1,383 yards on 81 catches. With 31 percent of his routes classifying as deep routes, Franklin is ready to stretch the field in the NFL.”

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Brandon Dorlus is a player on the rise in NFL draft circles

Oregon nose tackle Brandon Dorlus could dramatically improve his draft stock with an impressive showing at the combine and Senior Bowl.

Oregon defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus is a throwback. He stayed at one school for four years and improved every season, making himself attractive to NFL scouts.

His draft stock is all over the board, however. Dorlus could be a fit for several teams at different positions and it’s somewhat of a mystery as to where he could eventually end up on the next level.

According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, a draft analyst, Dorlus could be on the rise.

On an Oregon defense that saw many players significantly improve in 2023, Dorlus arguably took the biggest leap — especially as a pass-rusher (5 sacks). Whenever the Ducks’ defense needed a big play, it was Dorlus who made it happen, as we saw often in the Texas Tech game. Where do you play him, though? It’s the first question that scouts bring up when discussing his game. Dorlus is a bit of a tweener at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, and while he can play any spot along the defensive line, there isn’t a consensus on which position he should play at the next level. Some scouts feel he can be a disruptive 3-technique, while others like him better in a three-man front. I lean 3-technique. — Jordan Reid

Dorlus is projected to be a Day 2 draft selection, but with the combine and the Senior Bowl which will give the Duck defender a chance to shine, that Day 2 could easily turn into a Day 1.

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