Five Longhorns Make Daniel Jeremiah's Top 50 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
In anticipation of the 2024 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit, Daniel Jeremiah, an NFL Network draft expert and former NFL scout, evaluated and ranked his top 50 draft-eligible prospects.
Five Longhorns have made Jeremiah's Top 50 2024 NFL Draft Prospect List, including the Longhorns' stud defensive tackle combo of Byron Murphy and T'Vondre Sweat.
Murphy led off the list of Horns in the rankings, coming in at No. 22.
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No. 22 Defensive Tackle Byron Murphy II
Byron Murphy emerged as one-half of arguably the best defensive tackle tandem in college football this past season, leading the Longhorns to one of the top run defenses in the nation.
According to Jeremiah, Murphy stands out as a "very explosive, nimble and instinctive defensive tackle" and a dynamic disruptor against the pass game."
He displayed that all season, becoming the engine of one of the most improved defensive units in the country. And despite his alleged size concerns, Murphy has been a fast riser on draft boards.
Once the combine comes around this spring, that should continue.
No. 34 Wide Receiver Adonai Mitchell
Mitchell emerges as an impressive receiver, boasting remarkable size, toughness, and refined skills for his position. A standout performance against Kool-Aid McKinstry in the September Alabama game, where he notched three catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted his capabilities.
Mitchell continued to display those talents throughout the season, leading the Longhorns will 11 touchdown catches throughout the year, including a key score in the Sugar Bowl vs. the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff.
Should he get the opportunity, Mitchell could prove to be a legitimate No. 1 receiver at the next level.
Jeremiah Agrees:
He has some wow catches on fades and 50/50 balls. He can climb the ladder, hang and finish (SEE: his TD grab against Washington in the College Football Playoff). It looks like he gets a little lazy at times on the back side of routes, assuming the ball is going elsewhere. He doesn't have a ton of production after the catch. Overall, though, Mitchell is an ideal X receiver. He can make plays when covered, and he's a real weapon in the red zone.
No. 41 Tight End Ja'Tavion Sanders
According to Jeremiah, Sanders exhibits a fluid and smooth athleticism, coupled with an impressive play speed. His strengths in the passing game become apparent when he ventures deep down the field, rapidly extending the seam and showcasing a wide catch radius.
During the 2023 season, Sanders emerged as one of the top tight ends in all of college football. Were it not for Georgia's Brock Bowers, he might be the first tight end taken this spring. He is a matchup nightmare and will likely be a standout at the upcoming NFL combine, which could send his stock even higher.
Said Jeremiah:
He stretches the seam quickly and has a big catch radius. He can tap into an extra gear when the ball goes up in the air. He has some wow catches, including a one-handed snag versus Baylor. There are a few occasions in which he unnecessarily leaves his feet when the ball is thrown on his frame. After the catch, he has stop/start quickness and he can pull away when he gets the ball on the run. He is more than capable as a blocker, effectively shielding and walling off opponents. Overall, Sanders isn’t a nuanced route runner, but his combination of speed, athleticism and hands will translate very well to the next level.
No. 43 Wide Receiver Xavier Worthy
Xavier Worthy possesses an average height and a lean physique, but despite those physical 'limitations', he remains one of the top wide receiver prospects in the entire draft.
The Longhorns' top receiver in 2023, Worthy led the team in receptions and yards, hauling in 75 catches for 1,014 yards and five touchdowns. And according to Jeremiah, he projects as a taller version of Cardinals standout receiver and former Oklahoma Sooner, Hollywood Brown.
Said Jeremiah:
His hands have been spotty over his career, but he was much more reliable this past fall than he had been before. After the catch, he has a jet pack on his back. He explodes away from defenders and racks up big plays. Overall, Worthy seems like a taller version of Hollywood Brown -- you can feel his speed in every game.
No. 48 Defensive Tackle T'Vondre Sweat
T'Vondre Sweat was arguably the Longhorns MVP this past season, taking home unanimous first-team All-American honors and winning the Outland Trophy, among many other awards.
At the next level, Jeremiah believes Sweat could be a difference-maker as well, citing his elite abilities as a 'block-eating' tackle and proficiency in run defense.
Said Jeremiah:
He can easily stack and anchor down versus both single blocks and double teams. He doesn't get uprooted or washed against angle blocks. He doesn't have a lot of lateral range. His value is in his ability to clog the middle of the line of scrimmage. As a pass rusher, he provides a steady pocket push on occasion, but he doesn't have much of a plan outside of that strategy. He does get his hands up if he stalls out. Overall, Sweat has present value as a run defender and some upside as a pass rusher.
