With the 2024 NFL draft coming up, things are beginning to shape up with the draft board. The Texas Longhorns have several prospects expecting to hear their name called this upcoming weekend, but let's do some projecting and discuss where their players are likely to get their names called.
Texas Longhorns Draft prospects and projections
Byron Murphy II (DL)
Projection: Round 1, Pick 18
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Defensive lineman Byron Murphy II is projected to be the first Texas player selected. The Cincinnati Bengals need to fix their interior defensive line after losing DJ Reader, and Murphy has the explosiveness to dominate at the top level.
Adonai Mitchell (WR)
Projection: Round 1, Pick 28
The Buffalo Bills need to figure out who they are going to throw the football to after trading away Stefon Diggs this offseason. Mitchell seems to be the type of player you would want to pair with Khalil Shaker and Curtis Samuel as he is a 6 ft. 4 receiver with incredible skill.
Xavier Worthy (WR)
Projection: Round 2, Pick 51
The Pittsburgh Steelers could continue to add offense for Russell Wilson/Justin Fields and Xavier Worthy showcased his skill with a 4.21 40-yard dash, which was an NFL combine record. This would add an extra layer to that Pittsburgh offense as well.
Jonathan Brooks (RB)
Projection: Round 2, Pick 56
The Dallas Cowboys need a starting running back after losing theirs to free agency and not pulling the trigger on signing Derrick Henry. Jonathan Brooks might fall a bit in this draft due to him coming off a torn ACL. He's arguably the best running back in the draft class and getting him here is a steal.
Ja'Tavion Sanders (TE)
Projection: Round 2, Pick 57
With the question marks surrounding wide receiver Chris Godwin's future, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to have a safety net. Their tight end Cade Otton has not been playing at a great level and elevating the tight end position could help Baker Mayfield out. Sanders is a dominant receiving tight end who makes a potential loss of Godwin sting a little less.
T'Vondre Sweat (DL)
Projection: Round 3, Pick 80
That's right, two defensive linemen from Austin pairing up on Cincinnati's defensive line would be the best outcome. Sweat has first-round talent but off-the-field woes lowered his draft stock. This would be great as he was a dominant run-stuffer in college football last year and makes it tough for the opposition as the AFC North is full of big-time running teams in Cleveland and Baltimore.
Christian Jones (OT)
Projection: Round 4, Pick 110
The Los Angeles Chargers will need to protect quarterback Justin Herbert and getting offensive tackle Christian Jones will help keep him upright. You can never have too much offensive line depth so this makes a lot of sense.
Ryan Watts (CB)
Projection: Round 6, Pick 195
Pittsburgh needs to continue locking up the secondary and Ryan Watts would be an excellent 1-2 punch with Joey Porter Jr. The defense for the Steelers is also a great asset and Watts making it to Mike Tomlin here would be an excellent choice to help this strong secondary get an additional star.
Jaylan Ford (LB)
Projection: Round 6, Pick 217
Landing linebacker Jaylan Ford in the sixth round would be good for the Los Angeles Rams. They have a good but not great linebacker core and getting another body in the rotation would continue to make it better for the future.
Jordan Whittington (WR)
Projection: Round 7, Pick 251
With the Brock Purdy extension being available very soon, the San Francisco 49ers are going to need to get cheaper at other positions. Wide receiver may be one of them and drafting Jordan Whittington could be a start. For the 2024-25 season, it is just another depth piece to a top-heavy wide receiver unit but Whittington can continue to climb the ranks for the 49ers.
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