AUSTIN, Texas — The 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on April 25 in Detroit, and the Texas Longhorns will be one of the most well-represented programs during the three-day event.
After an impressive 2023 class saw five Longhorns taken – including one of the NFL's brightest young stars, running back Bijan Robinson – the Longhorns have 11 players eligible to be selected this year, with around half projected to be picked within the first three rounds.
Here are the players who are eligible to be picked, ordered by likely draft position based on ESPN's draft rankings.
Byron Murphy II
A 2023 First Team All-Big 12 selection and the 2023 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, Byron Murphy II is widely projected to be the first Longhorn taken off the board in round one.
Murphy is considered the top interior defensive lineman in the 2024 Draft and, given his production over three years on the Forty Acres, it should be no surprise as to why.
In three years as a starter, Murphy logged 68 total tackles and eight sacks while anchoring the middle of a Texas defensive line that became an elite unit in 2023, serving as a driving force behind the team's Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance in 2023.
Murphy is a classic three-down defensive tackle tailored for success in a standard 4-3 defensive alignment, which most NFL defensive coordinators operate.
The defensive tackle position is a hard one to gauge at times, as the position has lost a bit of its value in the modern NFL. However, given Murphy's collegiate dominance and impressive performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, he will likely be picked in the middle of the first round as a top 20 pick.
Adonai Mitchell
Adonai Mitchell's pedigree may have grown in Athens, Georgia, but the Missouri City native honed his skill most impressively on the Forty Acres.
Despite spending only one season at Texas, Mitchell became one of the nation's best receivers in 2023, racking up 55 catches for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns while becoming Quinn Ewers' most trusted target during the Longhorns' 12-2 season.
Mitchell entered the 2023 season as a projected mid-round pick, but his great 2023 season, paired with an impressive performance at the 2024 scouting combine, has vaulted him into almost certain first round status.
While not the speed threat of his running mate Xavier Worthy, Mitchell was a sure-handed receiver in college, with a quick release and large catch radius that stands out when he's targeted with deep passes. He also excels as a route runner.
Mitchell is considered by many to be a lock to be picked at the back end of the first round, with teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs all in need of a wide receiver. Depending on where he goes, Mitchell could be a team's top option as early as his rookie season.
Xavier Worthy
One of the more enigmatic prospects in the entire draft, scouts appear to be conflicted on Xavier Worthy.
On one hand, Worthy is a known commodity as a speed threat, as evidenced by his record-breaking performance in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine, and as an explosive route runner.
On the other hand, Worthy is undersized, weighing in at only 165 pounds at the combine. He also dealt with drops at times, and there are questions as to whether or not he'll be able to handle press coverage at the NFL level.
Despite concerns about Worthy's size, there is no question regarding his collegiate production. Worthy caught 197 passes in three years at Texas, racking up 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns in the receiving game. He also established a reputation as a dominant returner of both kicks and punts. In 2023, Worthy accumulated 371 yards on 22 punt returns with one touchdown.
With the NFL recently modifying its kickoff rules to incentivize more returns, Worthy could find himself as a first round pick simply because of his explosiveness. As indicated, scouts are split on him as a prospect, but the consensus seems to be that he will be either a late-first round or early-second round selection. Many of the same teams that could consider Mitchell may also consider Worthy.
Jonathon Brooks
Had it not been for a torn ACL suffered in week 11 against TCU, Jonathon Brooks may very well have been in the first round conversation.
In 2023, Brooks succeeded the two-headed rushing attack of Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson after the duo departed for the NFL. At times, Brooks was the cog that made the Longhorns' offensive machine run.
In 11 games in 2023, Brooks finished with 1,139 yards on 187 carries, scoring 10 touchdowns. He also grabbed 25 catches for 286 yards and a touchdown through the air.
Brooks is a stocky running back, weighing 216 pounds. For reference, Josh Jacobs, one of the NFL's premier power backs, weighs 223 pounds. It is unclear if he would be used as a power back in the NFL, however, as scouts cite one of his weaknesses being his reluctance to sometimes face contact head on.
Brooks is seen as being one of the top running backs in the 2024 NFL Draft and is the highest rated running back in the 2024 class by ESPN. Expect to hear his name called at some point in the second or third round.
T'Vondre Sweat
A fifth-year senior in 2023, T'Vondre Sweat came entirely into his own during the Longhorns' run to the Sugar Bowl, serving as the centerpiece of a dominant Texas defensive line along with fellow prospect, Byron Murphy II.
Sweat had a truly magical 2023 season, raking in 45 tackles and two sacks while frequently being the offensive line's biggest concern during any given play. His remarkable 2023 campaign culminated in winning the 2023 Outland Trophy, which is given to college football's best interior lineman, and being named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a unanimous All-American and First-team All-Big 12.
Sweat is an imposing figure in the middle of any defensive line. He weighed in at 366 pounds at the combine, which would make him one of the heaviest players in the NFL. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Daniel Faalele is currently the heaviest player in the NFL, at 379 pounds.
Sweat had been projected to be selected in the second or third round. However, his recent DWI arrest in Austin has muddied his draft stock. He has the talent to be a Day 2 pick, but it is unclear how the arrest will impact how teams view him.
Ja'Tavion Sanders
One of the top tight ends in the 2024 NFL Draft, Ja'Tavion Sanders is a physical, pass-catching tight end that also has a flare for the spectacular.
Sanders broke through during his sophomore season in 2022, where he racked up 54 catches and hauled in five touchdowns. He found himself as a much more integral part of the offense in 2023 and while his catch number dipped slightly, his yardage and target output increased.
Sanders' primary concerns stem from his size – his 245 pound frame is smaller than average – and his struggles at times as a run blocker, which is crucial aspect of playing tight end in the NFL.
Sanders is viewed by many analysts as the second-best tight end in the draft, behind only Georgia's Brock Bowers. Expect him to be taken around the middle of the second round by a team in need of a tight end, such as the Indianapolis Colts or Cincinnati Bengals.
Christian Jones
One of the fast risers during the draft process, an impressive combine performance has vaulted Christian Jones up many draft boards.
Jones got into football late, starting to play in his junior year of high school, but developed into one of the Longhorns' most effective offensive linemen on the Forty Acres, starting a remarkable 48 games over six seasons.
Jones is a mauler, doing his best work while run blocking. His 6 foot, 5 inches, 318-pound frame is standard for an NFL offensive lineman, and he has showcased versatility starting at both left and right tackle. Scouts have also praised his work ethic off the field, as he was named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll list seven times.
Jones is viewed as a raw prospect and while his athletic upside will certainly guarantee a team selects him, he won't be ready for NFL action right away. Scouts have highlighted his lack of lateral quickness and tendency to overset the edge, which can lead to him getting beat by rushers inside.
Most projections list Jones as a fourth round talent, but his athleticism paired with the ever-growing need for offensive line depth could lead to him getting picked in the third round.
Jaylan Ford
One of the leaders of the Longhorn defense, senior Jaylan Ford was a two-time First team All-Big 12 selection in 2022 and 2023.
Ford's 2022 season put him on the national radar, as he finished with a staggering 119 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and four interceptions.
Ford is built like an NFL linebacker, measuring at 6 foot, 2 inches tall and 240 pounds. According to scouts, he is seen as a sure tackler who picks up speed downhill and effectively shoots offensive line gaps to make tackles. However, his aggression at the line of scrimmage sometimes leaves him susceptible to being beaten by quicker runners.
Where Ford lacks is in coverage, particularly zone coverage, where scouts point out that he hasn't shown the ability to effectively read a quarterback's eyes and often leaves receivers open in his zone. There are also concerns about the length of his arms, which measured at 31.5 inches, which could hinder him in coverage.
Ford is projected to be a Day 3 pick, possibly in the fourth or fifth round. He will likely start off as a special teams player in the NFL.
Ryan Watts
After spending the first two years of his college career at Ohio State, Ryan Watts came to the Forty Acres in 2022 and became a focal point of a secondary that improved drastically in 2023.
The Little Elm native shined in his junior and senior seasons, racking up 91 tackles in Burnt Orange and earning an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection in 2022.
Watts is a big corner at 6 foot, 3 inches tall and weighing 208 pounds and may even transition to safety at the NFL level. Scouts highlight his size, fluidity and competitiveness at the catch point as strengths to his game.
Watts' main weakness in the eyes of scouts is his lack of consistency in coverage, highlighted by his overwhelming successes in a zone defensive scheme as opposed to frequent inconsistencies covering receivers man-to-man.
Watts is projected to be a sixth or seventh round pick, but he may go undrafted.
Jordan Whittington
A native a Cuero, Texas, Jordan Whittington evolved from a status of being a highly-touted four-star prospect into a veteran presence and leader in the Longhorn locker room.
Whittington totaled 141 catches for 1,757 yards and five touchdowns over five years on the Forty Acres.
Whittington is one of the bigger receivers in the 2024 draft class, weighing 204 pounds. While his numbers at Texas weren't staggering, he became a consistent piece in Steve Sarkisian's offense over the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He is lauded by scouts for his on-field intelligence and positional versatility.
The biggest concerns about Whittington's game center around his speed and injury history, which includes a hamstring injury he suffered late in the 2023 season.
If Whittington is picked, he likely won't be selected prior to the sixth round.
Keilan Robinson
A redshirt senior in 2023, Keilan Robinson is more known for his returning abilities rather than as a running back.
Despite having limited opportunities on the ground, Robinson made the most of his chances. He tallied eight touchdowns on only 121 carries in four seasons at Alabama and Texas. He also caught three touchdown passes in 2022.
Robinson's primarily dangerous as a returner, where he tallied over 900 yards in three seasons returning kicks for the Longhorns, adding both a kick and punt return touchdown to his stat line.
Robinson is undoubtedly a speed threat, but given his incredibly specific usage in college, he would likely remain a returner, at least initially, in the NFL.
Robinson will likely go undrafted, but given the NFL's recent changes to kickoff returns, a team could conceivably take a flier on him in round six or seven.
It is important to note that about one-third of players on NFL rosters were undrafted free agents. So while some may not be selected, they could still make the most out of whatever opportunity they're given.