2024 Longhorn Mock Draft 2.0 | 20 Days Away

Welcome back to the 2nd edition of the 2024 Texas Longhorn Mock Draft.

Some major changes to how I view Texas Draft hopefuls following the conclusion of the NFL Combine and Texas Pro Day. Plenty of risers and a pair of fallers in the latest update.

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DL Byron Murphy – Round 1, Pick 15 to IND (up 1 spots)

The Combine darling has remained in that 12-20 range in most mock drafts. I could see Murphy's stock go either way come draft day, however I like where the Colts pick here. I am imagining how disruptive a defensive line of DeForest Buckner and Murphy would be together and find myself giddy. 

WR Adonai Mitchell – Round 1, Pick 23 to LAC (up 9)

Originally, I had Mitchell at 32 to the Chiefs. Though, following an official 4.34 time in the 40-yard dash, I have a hard time seeing him last that long. Now, if Mitchell makes it past pick 25, look for the Bills at 28 to snag him and replace Stefon Diggs. I like the Chargers here after an offseason of trading Keenan Allen and seeing Mike WIlliams walk. Justin Herbert gets his guy.

WR Xavier Worthy – Round 1, Pick 32 to KC (up 5)

The NFL record holder for fastest Combine time squeaks into the first round and finds a home with the reigning Super Bowl Champions and Patrick Mahomes. Not a bad gig if you ask me. The Chiefs are in even more need of a WR following the Rashee Rice saga and Worthy answered a lot of questions during his Pro Day about his hands and route running ability.

RB Jonathon Brooks – Round 2, Pick 56 to DAL (up 2)

This pick makes all the sense in the world, so of course the Cowboys will take a tight end out of South Dakota State, right? Cowboys team doctors did the surgery on Brooks' ACL and with Tony Pollard leaving for Tennessee, Dallas has to make a splash in the Draft if they want to field a competent offense in 2024.

TE Ja'Tavion Sanders – Round 2, Pick 57 to TB (down 20)

The biggest faller from the original mock draft look. Sanders did not have a great Pro Day despite receiving praise from Combine attendees for his routes and hands. Regardless, I don't believe it is enough for Sanders to fall out of the second round. Cade Otten is a solid piece in Tampa Bay, but he is no Ja'Tavion Sanders. Get ready for Baker Mayfield to JT Sanders next fall.

DT T'Vondre Sweat – Round 2, Pick 62 to BAL (no movement)

We have seen a lot of Longhorns in the past end up in Baltimore and T-Sweat is the next in line. Watching Sweat move in-person makes all the difference for this draft selection. I like the fit here next to Justin Madabuike, what a duo that could become. 

OT Christian Jones – Round 3, Pick 99 to JAX (up 99)

Far and away the biggest riser of the group. Jones has displayed great athleticism in all three pre-draft situations he has participated in. This still might be a stretch, however, but I am rolling the dice and riding the hype train for Jones as a day two pick.

LB Jaylan Ford – Round 4, Pick 115 to CIN (down 5)

Around the same spot for me with LB Jaylan Ford. I don't think he is a day two guy, especially after some concerns following the Pro Day and the times that came out of that. However, Ford is a dude where if you turn the tape on, you see how special a player he could be. I like him in that 110-125 range at the moment.

CB Ryan Watts – Round 6, Pick 178 to PIT (up 60)

I think I had Watts going to Pittsburgh in my original mock draft a month ago, whatever it is about the Steelers and their defensive back room, I like. Watts has certainly helped his draft stock with great testing numbers in both the Combine and the Texas Pro Day. Perhaps I am much lower than some on the 6-foot-3 defensive back, but my gut tells me this is the area in which he goes at the moment.

RB/KR Keilan Robinson – Round 7, Pick 241 to MIA (welcome to the Draft)

There is a market for kick returners in the NFL Draft. It is not a big one, but the Dolphins are known to like speed and Robinson boasts, what he believes to be a slow, 4.42. Add 20 reps on the bench and Robinson make impact in a number of different ways as an NFL player. I am looking at Robinson as a potential replacement for Braxton Berrios in the Dolphins offense.

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WR Jordan Whittington – Undrafted Free Agent

It has been tremendously unfortunate Whittington has not been healthy to compete in the Reese's Senior Bowl, the NFL Combine or the Texas Pro Day. Those three opportunities would have certainly helped his draft stock as April 24 nears. He will get an opportunity on April 14 in what Texas is calling Pro Day 2.0 for NFL Scouts to get one last look at his talent. But I am worried by then it will be too late.