After a fantastic season on the field in 2023, the Texas Longhorns are hoping for even greater success off the field. On the field, Texas advanced to their first College Football Playoff and won their first Big 12 championship since 2009. They were more of a throwaway from their presence in the final game, but they now have a solid foundation to work with going forward. Their success in the postseason was largely due to the development of numerous important players who are currently developing into elite players. Something that ESPN’s Matt Miller predicts will be on display in the 2018 NFL Draft when several Longhorns are expected to select early.
In Miller’s most recent NFL Mock Draft, which included only the first two rounds, six Longhorns saw their names called. For the first time since 2007, Texas has generated more than one first-round pick when he had four players taken in the second round and two selected in the first round. Jonathon Brooks, a running back from Texas, was the final pick selected with pick No. 58 out of the six picks. Even though a knee injury halted his season, Miller still thinks he’s the greatest running back available and believes Green Bay will sign him. He stated that it would be extremely beneficial for him to get the opportunity to assist Aaron Jones as a backup before taking over. Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, who was selected just four choices earlier, gained notoriety for his enormous physique during the Reese’s Senior Bowl. In this case, he was selected by the Cleveland Browns because they saw him as the ideal successor to the player they are losing at that position.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, a tight end, was also acquired by them and will now get the opportunity to play alongside Joe Burrow in Cincinnati. Miller sees him selected with the 49th overall pick, and he might help the Bengals immediately. Miller believes Adonai Mitchell will be selected by the Tennessee Titans eleven picks earlier, at 38. In addition to his exceptional speed, he can climb almost anything. Miller anticipates that Mitchell would get along well with Will Levis, the big-armed quarterback.
It is anticipated that Xavier Worthy, their pass-catching counterpart, will finish the first round and be selected by the Chiefs. He is thought to be the Tyreek Hill successor that this team has been waiting for—Hill having spent the last few years in Miami. Although it would be an example of the wealthy getting richer, Worthy would be in an amazing position to attend. Byron Murphy II was the first Longhorn selected in this draft; Miller has a pick that is on the verge of being in the top 15. Murphy projects to the Seahawks as the No. 16 pick, and he believes that new coach Mike Macdonald will fully develop him there. Texas will benefit greatly from this draft, and the program will benefit even more from having so many guys selected early.
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