Surprising Texas Longhorn Lone NFL First-Rounder, Per PFF Mock
The Texas Longhorns' performance so far this season has certainly looked like a team that has multiple first-round draft picks, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
However, Pro Football Focus doesn't think so. They released an NFL mock draft Monday that featured just one Longhorn — and it's probably not the one you're expecting.
With the 31st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select ... Adonai Mitchell, wide receiver, Texas.
"The Chiefs need that go-to receiver who isn’t Travis Kelce, who is also getting up there in age," PFF's Trevor Sikkema wrote. "Mitchell feels like one of the most underrated players in this draft class right now. The 6-foot-4 receiver has very good movement skills and has been successful as a deep threat and as a short-to-intermediate receiver. He feels like the total package."
Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell (5) is the lone player Longhorn mocked for the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, according to Pro Football Focus.
© John David Mercer, USA TODAY
No, not Quinn Ewers. No, not Xavier Worthy. No, not Ja'Tavion Sanders. Yes, Adonai Mitchell.
Mitchell's play has elevated his draft stock above Worthy in PFF's eyes, and, as Sikkema noted, it's probably due to his bigger physical stature, standing three inches taller and weighing 24 pounds heavier.
On the field, though, they have essentially been 1A and 1B. Worthy leads the team with 26 receptions and 345 yards, which outpace Mitchell by four catches and 24 yards. Mitchell's four touchdowns are one more than Worthy.
Ewers feels and looks like he has first-round potential, but PFF rolled out Caleb Williams to the Chicago Bears at No. 1, Drake Maye to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 3, J.J. McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings at No. 5, Bo Nix to the New England Patriots at No. 8 and Michael Penix Jr. to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 19.
The Southlake, Texas, native has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,358 yards and 10 touchdowns to just one interception.
For a guy that has the third-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy and is leading the No. 3 team in the country, Ewers' name should definitely be in first-round consideration by NFL franchises.
