Texas NFL Draft Heat Check | Two Months Away

We are 58 days away from the 2024 NFL Draft. I wanted to get to start a series on NFL Draft predictions from 60 days, 30 days, 15 days and 7 days away from the time the Draft takes place to provide an idea of where I believe the Texas Longhorn draft hopefuls will hear their name called.

So for the first chapter of this series, I wanted to give my ideas on where the Longhorns will get drafted in my own mock draft edition. This will change, but for now, an idea on best fits as the draft currently sits with the NFL Combine set to take place later this week.

***

R1 Pick 16 – Seattle Picks DL Byron Murphy 

This feels like a perfect match. Seattle has gone to the well before with a Texas defensive lineman and it worked out just fine. The Seahawks ranked 26th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed in 2023 and ended with a defense outside of the top 20 in scoring. Help in the trenches makes sense and Murphy's the best man for that pick.

R1 Pick 32 – Kansas City Picks WR Adonai Mitchell

I have long juggled with which Texas WR Kansas City picks here and ultimately decided to go with Mitchell. Yes, Xavier Worthy fits what the Chiefs have used in the past with the speed aspect of things. However, Kansas City just won a Super Bowl with a wide receiving corps that led the league in drops. Mitchell is as sure-handed as anyone in the Draft, I think they go with him here.

R2 Pick 37 – Los Angeles Chargers Pick TE Ja'Tavion Sanders

This pick is contingent on the Chargers not taking Brock Bowers at No. 5 overall, which I think is far too high for that value of a pick with how many holes are on their team defensively. Neither Gerald Everett or Donald Parham have been legitimate threats in the pass game for Herbert and it is time for that to change with the selection of Sanders.

R2 Pick 45 – Atlanta Picks WR Xavier Worthy

Can I interest anyone in Xavier Worthy and Bijan Robinson teaming up once again? For whatever the reason, the Falcons front office just loves shiny toys – except at quarterback. Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and now Xavier Worthy? That would be a hell of an offense to guard.

R2 Pick 58 – Green Bay Picks RB Jonathon Brooks

Green Bay has a very bright future with their current roster construction and the emergence of Jordan Love as a legitimate star in the league. It will be interesting to see what the Packers do at RB. AJ Dillon's contract expires and there have been murmurs of the Pack wanting to move on from the $26M owed to Aaron Jones. If so, J-Brooks just found himself a nice home in Wisconsin.

R2 Pick 62 – Baltimore Picks DT T'Vondre Sweat

This is the pick that has caused me the most pause thus far. It would surprise me a bit to see Sweat fall this far, but any other question marks that arise from the Combine/Pro Days could lead to a bit of uncertainty with his draft projections. 

R4 Pick 111 – Chicago Picks LB Jaylan Ford

The Bears have not been good in a while, but their defensive in the back half of the 2023 season was actually on the doorstep of being called elite. Adding one of the brightest linebackers in the draft keeps that defense grooving for the future, with what should be a restart on the window to construct a team financially with a new rookie QB.

R6 Pick 195 – Jacksonville Picks OT Christian Jones

You get to this far in the Draft and it is a total crapshoot on where guys are expected to be selected. Regardless, I think we have crossed the line with Jones to now fully expecting to hear his name called. The question becomes, when is it. Jacksonville adds depth up front for Trevor Lawrence with Jones.

R7 Pick 238 – Pittsburgh Picks CB Ryan Watts

Listen. Defensive backs at 6-foot-3 that run in the 4.5's with two years of starting production on a College Football Playoff team get drafted more times than they don't. Now for Watts, the key is to run in the 4.5's. I believe he will, and as a result, I think Mike Tomlin gets a piece for his secondary late on Day 3.

Undrafted Free Agents

WR Jordan Whittington – Not going to a senior bowl week of practice may not seem like a big deal, but it is when you miss on a week of evaluations and interviews with scouts and front office members from all 32 teams. A strong Pro Day and Combine is needed here for draft hopes in my eyes.

RB Keilan Robinson – A long shot at the moment to get drafted, but Robinson is going to test very well in the shiny combine drills plus was one of the nation's best in special teams. Look at the career Brenden Schooler is having in New England for hope with Robinson finding an NFL home.

P Ryan Sanborn – Punters very rarely get drafted unless they possess an absolute howitzer of a leg. Sanborn was good, but not sure he is quite in the conversation to hear his name called.

EDGE Jett Bush – I really hope there is a team that invites him to summer camp. Bush was a dedicated program guy and tremendously hard worker during his time on the 40 Acres.