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.”