Over half-dozen Ducks selected in latest 7-round mock draft from ESPN

According to the latest mock draft from ESPN, seven Ducks will be selected in the NFL selection process in April.

The NFL draft is less than a month away and we can then see how accurate, or inaccurate, all of the mock drafts are.

To be fair, most are fairly accurate and in the latest mock draft from ESPN, more than a half-dozen Oregon Ducks are expected to be selected.

Writer Matt Miller has turned in his best guess of how the NFL selection process will go and the first Duck to be picked will be quarterback Bo Nix to the Las Vegas Raiders, with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round.

Miller says Nix would “give the Raiders’ offense the dual-threat aspect it needs for new coordinator Luke Getsy. The Raiders could also be in play for a right tackle or wide receiver at this spot after being quiet on the offensive side of the ball in free agency.”

Speaking of receivers, the Ducks had a good one with Troy Franklin and he would go to Detroit at pick No. 61. For an offensive-oriented team with a quarterback like Jared Goff, the Lions would be a great place for Franklin.

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But before Franklin is picked in the second round, Oregon would see someone get to go on stage and shake Commissioner Roger Goodell’s hand and that would be Duck center Jackson Powers-Johnson at No. 20 to Pittsburgh. He would be snapping the ball to their new signal-caller Russell Wilson.

In the third round, defensive back Khyree Jackson would be heading to the nation’s capital and play for the Commanders as selection No. 78. Ten spots later, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus goes to Green Bay at No. 88.

To round out the draft for Oregon, a pair of Ducks go to Baltimore. Running back Bucky Irving would be picked in the fourth round at No. 130, and defensive back Evan Williams joins him as a seventh-round selection at No. 228.

The draft gets underway less than a month from now on April 25th.

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2024 NFL draft: Texans take a 2nd-round WR in new mock

The Houston Texans had a need a wide receiver and grab one of the best in the 2024 draft with their first pick in the second round.

The Houston Texans won’t make a selection until Day 2 of the NFL draft after the team traded away its No. 23 overall to the Minnesota Vikings. While a trade back into the first round isn’t out of the question, the Texans will have to wait until the No. 42 pick before adding a new young player to their team.

There are a few different directions Houston can go down in the second round, which will be entirely dependent on how the draft board falls.

Defensive tackle is a huge need after Sheldon Rankins left in free agency and the Texans traded away Maliek Collins. Wide receiver is another option after the attempted trade for Keenan Allen. Cornerback remains an issue, too, despite the addition of two former 2020 first-round picks to pair with Derek Stingley.

The Athletic did a post-free agency mock draft and while the Texans didn’t trade into the first round, Houston did add a speedy wide receiver with the No. 42 pick for C.J. Stroud. The Texans drafted Oregon wideout Troy Franklin to play alongside Nico Collins and Tank Dell on offense.

From reporter Mike Jones:

“Arming Stroud with another weapon should rank among the Texans’ priorities. Franklin, who had 81 catches for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior at Oregon, would give him another speedy receiver (4.41 40) who is a precise route runner and possesses good size at 6-2, 176”

Franklin and Dell would be an impressive 1-2 speed punch, while Collins proved to be one of the best receivers in the NFL in 2023. However, Franklin isn’t necessarily the type of receiver the Texans need for their offense.

When Houston tried to trade for Keenan Allen, it was reportedly that Texans were looking for a possession receiver in the mold of Allen who could catch passes in the middle of the field. That’s not necessarily Franklin’s skillset, although he was the best receiver left on the board after Adonai Mitchell and Ladd McConkey went earlier in the mock draft.

The Texans have a need a receiver, though, so the pick isn’t inherently a mistake. We’ll see which direction general manager Nick Caserio goes down in a little more than a month.

2024 NFL draft: Colts met with Troy Franklin at Oregon pro day

The Colts met with Troy Franklin ahead of Oregon’s pro day.

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly met with wide receiver Troy Franklin ahead of Oregon’s pro day this week.

Franklin is considered a fringe first-round pick and profiles as a potentially successful deep threat at the NFL level. The Colts reportedly were among a few teams to meet with him ahead of the pro day, per Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.

Franklin broke out during the 2023 season as one of Oregon’s most productive players overall. In 13 games, he recorded 81 receptions for 1,383 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 17.1 yards per catch.

Though he weighed in a bit light at the NFL combine (176 pounds), he weighed in at 183 pounds at Oregon’s pro day. He also logged a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and a 39-inch vertical.

The Colts are going to be in the market for a wide receiver during the draft, and Franklin’s trump card as a deep threat is likely going to intrigue the front office in some capacity.

It seems unlikely that they would use the No. 15 overall pick on Franklin, but there is a chance he could be in the mix in the event Chris Ballard trades back during the first night of the draft.

Adding a vertical threat to Shane Steichen’s offense is one of the priorities of the offseason so this should be something to keep an eye on over the next month leading up to the draft.

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2024 NFL Mock Draft: Trades for QBs shake up Round 1; Ravens retool offensive line

We’re looking at an updated three round NFL mock draft for all 32 teams after the first wave of free agency

The Ravens are still in the crux of a potential Super Bowl window. Still, they’ll look drastically different on both sides of the football after undergoing massive changes to player personnel and the coaching staff. Eric DeCosta started the off-season with urgency, signing Justin Madubuike, one of the league’s best defensive linemen, to an extension. After inking Madubuike to a deal, Baltimore seemed to win the first wave of the free agency period after getting Derrick Henry for two years and $16 million. The talented running back could earn $20 million throughout the deal. All wasn’t perfect, as the Ravens suffered significant free-agent losses. Patrick Queen (Steelers), Geno Stone (Bengals), and Gus Edwards (Chargers) were among eight free agents to sign elsewhere. Baltimore also traded Morgan Moses to the Jets and released Tyus Bowser in a cost-cutting move. With the second wave of free agency set to begin, we’re looking at an updated three-round mock draft.

Jets send five club reps to Oregon Pro Day Tuesday

The Jets will have several team reps on site for the Oregon Pro Day on Tuesday.

The New York Jets are making their presence felt in Eugene, Oregon on Tuesday as the team sent five club members to Oregon Pro Day.

Per Jim Nagy of the Senior Bowl, the Jets will be helping position workouts at quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line and defensive back.

While it’s unlikely the Jets land quarterback Bo Nix in the draft, wide receiver Troy Franklin, running back Bucky Irving, offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus and defensive backs Khyree Jackson and Evan Williams could very well be on their boards.

This comes on the heels of the Jets having a presence in Corvallis, Oregon Monday for Oregon State’s Pro Day, namely offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, a very strong candidate to be the selection at No. 10 for the Jets.

The Bears show loads of interest in offensive prospects at Oregon’s pro day

All 32 NFL teams were at Oregon’s pro day workouts, but nobody sent more coaches than the Chicago Bears

Tuesday’s top collegiate pro day was in Eugene for the Oregon Ducks workouts. All 32 NFL teams were in attendance, though some were represented more heavily than others.

No team sent more resources and high-level personnel to the Ducks pro day than the Chicago Bears. Specifically, the Bears had six members of their staff in Eugene to check out the plethora of prospects.

Per Jim Nagy of the Senior Bowl, the Bears dispatched head coach Matt Eberflus and offensive coordinator Shane Waldron were there for the festivities. Other sources on the ground indicate new Chicago WR coach Chris Beatty was in attendance. Offensive line coach Chris Morgan was also there, a day after he witnessed Oregon State standout Taliese Fuaga at the Beavers’ pro day.

Among the Ducks prospects they got to watch, listed in expected order of draft selection:

IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson

QB Bo Nix

WR Troy Franklin

RB Bucky Irving

CB Khyree Jackson

DT Popo Aumavae

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

Baltimore lost five players during Day 1 of the legal tampering period, and with a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first round of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.

2024 NFL draft: Updated first round mock after Day 1 of legal tampering period

We’re looking at an updated first round 2024 NFL mock draft after the first day of the legal tampering period that saw Kirk Cousins to Falcons, Brian Burns to Giants, and Saquon Barkley to Eagles

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos started to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

The first day of the legal tampering period offered a glimpse into the future after Saquon Barkley agreed to a 3-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia, Kirk Cousins signed a $100 million contract with the Falcons, and the New York Giants acquired Brian Burns.

2024 NFL mock draft: 3 QBs are selected in Round 1, Ravens land a dynamic WR

We’re looking at a two round 2024 NFL mock draft projection for all 32 teams ahead of the new league year and NFL free agency

The Ravens are heading into an uncertain offseason with an MVP quarterback, a shrinking Super Bowl window, and five of the top free agents in the NFL.

Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta and head coach John Harbaugh have started the journey of retooling a roster that is in flux and set to see significant changes at offensive tackle, running back, wide receiver, linebacker, and cornerback, among other positions.

Justin Madubuike’s contract allows the Ravens to approach the draft from the best player available approach.

With a massive week of free agency discussions set to begin, we’re projecting the first and second rounds of April’s NFL draft for all 32 teams.

2024 NFL Draft: 3 QBs go early, Eagles land a dynamic safety in latest 2-round mock

We’re looking at a two round 2024 NFL mock draft projection for all 32 teams ahead of the new league year and NFL free agency

The Eagles are set for wholesale changes after finishing the 2023 season 1-6 after a 10-1 start.

The dominos are starting to fall as All-Pro center Jason Kelce and star defensive tackle Fletcher Cox have announced their retirements.

Brandon Graham, who turns 36 in April, is returning for one more final season, his 15th, and he’s one of the few guys on the roster deserving of writing his final script.

With free agency set to get off to a roaring start, we’re looking at the latest two-round mock draft for all 32 teams.