The first round of the NFL Draft could be very generous to the Texas Longhorns
The NFL Draft was not kind to Texas after Steve Sarkisian‘s first year as head coach of the Longhorns. No Texas player was picked in the 2022 draft, the second time that occurred within the span of 10 years (2014 being the other occasion). Two years later, the NFL Draft, and specifically Thursday’s first round, is slated to feature a lot of burnt orange.
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Texas has 12 players — Byron Murphy, Xavier Worthy, Adonai Mitchell, Jonathon Brooks, Jaylan Ford, Christian Jones, Ryan Sanborn, Keilan Robinson, Ja’Tavion Sanders, T’Vondre Sweat, Ryan Watts, and Jordan Whittington — hoping to be picked in the 2024 NFL Draft. If all 12 are picked, that would be the most Longhorns selected in a draft since 17 were selected in the 1984 regular draft (an 18th, Mike Ruether, was picked in the supplemental draft).
While the sheer volume of NFL talent stands to be a strong selling point for Sarkisian in the coming weeks and months as he hosts high school and portal prospects and drives home to his own team what development in his program can do, the chance for Texas to put three players in the first round for the first time since 1980 will put a positive spotlight on the program that didn’t exist two short years ago.
Even if just two are taken within the first 32 picks, it will be the first time a pair of Longhorns went in the first round since Michael Griffin and Aaron Ross were taken with back-to-back picks in the 2007 draft.
Murphy, Mitchell, and Worthy are the three Longhorns hoping to be selected on Thursday night in Detroit. Every member of the trio is a three-and-out player and helps to dispel lack of development narratives that plagued Texas on the recruiting trail for almost a decade.
Murphy can become the first Texas defensive lineman taken in the opening 32 picks since Malcom Brown in 2015. Mitchell or Worthy can become the first UT receiver selected in the first round since Roy Williams 20 years ago. The two can also make history if they both go on Thursday night and double the amount of first-round receivers from Texas, joining the company of Williams and Lam Jones.
The nine other Longhorns, notably Sweat and Jones, should follow Murphy, Mitchell, and Worthy on day two of the draft. But where might the elite Texas trio go on Thursday night and how did they get to that point?
Byron Murphy, DT
After a standout three-year career capped by Big 12 defensive lineman of the year honors, Murphy is the consensus top defensive tackle in the draft. His non-standard measurables at just over 6-foot-0 and right at 300 pounds are overcome by his athletic ability (4.87 40-yard dash, 33-inch vertical jump) and his overall disruptive ability. Murphy was arguably the best pass-rusher on the 2023 Longhorns but his presence was also felt as part of the No. 3 rush defense in the nation. Murphy should hear his name called in the top half of the draft and before any other defensive tackle is selected.
Prediction: 1st round
The Athletic projection: No. 9 to the Chicago Bears
Xavier Worthy, WR
A breakout freshman season followed by an injury-filled sophomore slump (compared to his debut) set up Worthy, who long thought of himself as a three-and-out player, for a massive junior year. With help opposite him in the form of Mitchell, Worthy became one of the most feared receivers in college football and made big play after big play for the Longhorns. A slight 5-foot-11, 165 pounds, Worthy ran past many size concerns by posting a record time of 4.21 in the 40-yard dash. Even with the blazing speed, Worthy is in the “1B” tier of receivers in this class behind the “1A” of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and potentially Brian Thomas Jr. That said, the speed may be just tantalizing enough for a team to use a first-round pick on Worthy.
Prediction: Late 1st-Early 2nd
The Athletic projection: No. 23 to the Los Angeles Chargers
Adonai Mitchell, WR
Mitchell was well-known for his time with the Georgia Bulldogs because of his exploits in the College Football Playoff. In the Dawgs’ four Playoff games during their back-to-back championships, Mitchell caught a touchdown pass in every contest. He entered the portal and decided to move to his native Texas to be closer to his young daughter. With the Longhorns, Mitchell created a pick-your-poison situation for opposing defenses. Worthy demanded double-coverage, but leaving Mitchell in one-on-one matchups was a task few defenders could handle. Mitchell hauled in 11 touchdowns, leading the Big 12, and was credited with only one drop in the 2023 season. He continued his Playoff performance with another touchdown reception against Washington. A strong showing at the combine with a 4.34 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds elevated Mitchell’s profile. He’s likely ahead of Worthy on many draft boards, but where and when Mitchell goes depends on what a team is looking for.
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Prediction: Late 1st
The Athletic projection: No. 32 to the Kansas City Chiefs
