Two Longhorns Selected In First Round Of Latest NFL.com Mock Draft
How many Texas Longhorns players will hear their name called in the first round of the NFL Draft in April?
According to one mock draft, at least two.
In the latest mock from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, defensive tackle Byron Murphy and receiver Adonai Mitchell both were selected in the first 32 picks. Murphy, a favorite to be the first defensive tackle selected, was pegged to land No. 16 overall to the Seattle Seahawks.
Leonard Williams is a pending free agent, but even if the Seahawks work out a deal with him, Murphy would be a nice complement on the interior defensive line. - NFL.com
Mitchell, who spent one season on the Forty Acres after winning back-to-back titles with Georgia, is expected to be the long-term No. 1 target in place of Mike Evans with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs go with the power forward-like receiver to potentially replace Mike Evans, who is ticketed for free agency. If you want to see what Mitchell is capable of, turn on the tape of the College Football Playoff semifinal against Washington. - NFL.com
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrates sacking Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht (3) during the game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2023 in Ames, Iowa.
Aaron E. Martinez/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The NFL Scouting Combine will take place next week and should give a better indication of where players land during the three-day event. As many as five Longhorns have appeared in the first round of mock drafts since the season's conclusion, including receiver Xavier Worthy, tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders and defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat.
Murphy feels like the one Longhorn lock to hear his name called during Thursday night's selection process. Last season, the junior defender totaled a career-high 29 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and seven quarterback hurries.
There's more to Murphy than explosive reps against the run. The 365-pounder scored two offensive touchdowns as a red-zone receiving threat, including one against the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup at the Sugar Bowl.
Mitchell, the breakout Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, finally was able to show his upside in a more pass-heavy offense led by Quinn Ewers. Even as a No. 2 option behind Worthy, the 6-1 target looked the part of a go-to weapon downfield on the outside.
In 14 games, Mitchell hauled a career-best 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns. He became the first player in playoff history to score a touchdown in five CFP games, including two in back-to-back national championship runs at Georgia.
Should Worthy or Mitchell hear their name called in the first round, they'd become the first Longhorn receiver to be selected in the first round since Roy Williams in 2004. Williams, who set a freshman record that was later broken by Worthy, was picked seventh overall by the Detroit Lions.
The combine begins next Monday, Feb. 26, and runs through March 4. The NFL draft will take place in Detriot on Apr. 25-27.
