Ducks Digest

Oregon Ducks' Josh Conerly Jr. Taking Top 30 Visits Before NFL Draft

Suspected as a high-picked Oregon Duck in the 2025 NFL Draft, offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. has meetings with the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Commanders.
Ally Osborne|
Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. speaks during media day for the Oregon Ducks in Los Angeles ahead of the Rose Bowl Monday, Dec. 30, 2024.
Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. speaks during media day for the Oregon Ducks in Los Angeles ahead of the Rose Bowl Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Oregon DucksNew England PatriotsCincinnati BengalsWashington CommandersHouston TexansNew Orleans SaintsAtlanta Falcons

With the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay just around the corner, many professional teams are narrowing down their top 30 athletes to bring in for official meetings prior to the draft ceremony. Josh Conerly Jr., a former offensive tackle for the Oregon Ducks, has inked down dates with seven different organizations.

According to The Oregonian's James Crepea based on a league source, Conerly will be joining in on top 30 visits for the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Washington Commanders.

Conerly is on the top of a lot of teams' minds as the draft is near. ESPN has Conerly at No. 37 overall on the outlet's big board for the draft. According to KPRC2's Aaron Wilson, Conerly met with the Texans, Commanders, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, and the San Francisco 49rs during the NFL Combine.

Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. (76) against the Liberty Flames during the 20
Jan 1, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. (76) against the Liberty Flames during the 2024 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

NFL Draft Expert and ESPN's Mel Kiper detailed how Conerly could become an asset, and a high pick, for the Kansas City Chiefs, who are projected to make a trade for a first round pick to grab an offensive lineman to bolster their trenches after their Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. Kiper also claimed he thinks Conerly could be a "Pro-Bowl-Caliber" tackle when he enters the professional league.

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"This could easily be Oregon's Josh Conerly Jr., who is right behind Banks on my offensive tackle rankings and a potential first-rounder," Kiper said. "Honestly, either player (Texas' left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. or Conerly) would be a good pick."

"The Chiefs' pass protection issues were on full display during the Super Bowl, and signing Jaylon Moore, a backup in San Francisco before getting a two-year deal with the Chiefs - is no guarantee to solve anything. Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia and D.J. Humphries weren't the answers, and Joe Thuney, who was a stopgap fix in moving outside from guard, is now in Chicago," Kiper continued.

In his 2024 junior season with the Ducks, Conerly was the go-to starting offensive tackle, headlining Oregon's trenches for all 14 contests. During that season with the Ducks, Conerly only allowed one sack in 494 opportunities and surrendered to nine total pressures.

Of the 965 snaps he played, 929 of them were at left tackle. In 11 of Oregon's 14 games, Conerly received a pass-blocking grade of 70 or better, an impressive feat for a tackle in the Big 10 Conference, which helped land him first-team all-conference.

Conerly also impressed at the Reese's Senior Bowl, being nominated by defensive teammates as the best offensive lineman of the week- long showcase and game. Conerly's performance during workouts at the NFL Combine also sparked further rising draft stock predictions.

"Conerly is proportionally built but lacks ideal play strength," reads Conerly's NFL Draft profile. "He strains at the point of attack but needs to get his hips and hands synced to improve as a finisher. He moves easily in space and gets to his angles to help spring the run. Conerly sets with smooth slides and ready hands but gets caught over-setting. He has anchor troubles against power that might be challenging to correct. He sees twists and blitzes developing and recovers with athleticism when beaten."

Though in need of improvement, Conerly is expected to be a a high draft pick for whichever organization picks up the former Duck.

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Ally Osborne
ALLY OSBORNE

A reporter for Oregon Ducks on SI, Ally Osborne is a born and raised Oregonian. She graduated from the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and Communications in 2021 after interning for the Oregon Sports Network with experience working on live sporting broadcasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, the PAC 12 Network, and Runnerspace. Osborne continued her career in Bend, Oregon as a broadcast reporter in 2021 for Central Oregon Daily News while writing for Oregon Ducks on SI. Since then, Osborne is entering her third season reporting for the publication and is frequently the on-site reporter for home games at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. She is currently the host of lifestyle shows "Everyday Northwest" and "Tower Talk Live" for KOIN 6 News in Portland, Oregon. Osborne also works as a sports reporter for KOIN 6's "Game On" sports department. In her free time, Osborne is an avid graphic designer, making art commissions for athletes across her home state. Osborne's designs have even become tattoos for a few Duck athletes.

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