2024 Mock Draft Roundup: Where Oregon’s stars are projected to land next April
Isn’t it funny how after one thing ends in the world of college football, we immediately move onto the next year and start looking ahead by making projections and predictions?
It happens with the ‘Way-Too-Early Top-25 Rankings’ that come out the morning after the national championship game every year, and we’ve now seen it take place with the 2024 NFL Draft. On Saturday afternoon, the 2023 draft came to a close, seeing a total of six Oregon Ducks selected by NFL teams, and three five more either sign as undrafted free agents or accept invites to rookie minicamps.
Despite all of that news, it comes as no surprise that a round of 2024 NFL Mock Drafts were hot on the press Monday morning, predicting which college players will be at the top of the news cycle next April, looking to make their professional dreams come true.
We decided to sift through all of these mocks for you and figure out where your beloved Ducks are projected to go. While only one Oregon player — CB Christian Gonzalez — was taken in the first round this last season, there seems to be a good chance that number gets bigger next spring.
Here are where all of the Ducks are projected to land in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Yahoo Sports | Bo Nix — Round 1, Pick 7 (San Francisco 49ers)
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Our Analysis: This is arguably as early as you’ll find Bo Nix going in any 2024 mock drafts. Landing inside the top 10 would be a huge accomplishment for Nix, and presume that he has a Heisman Trophy-worthy season in 2023. We know it can happen based on what we saw last year.
Yahoo Sports | Troy Franklin — Round 1, Pick 29 (San Francisco 49ers)
Our Analysis: As you will see, Troy Franklin’s projected landing spot in 2024 bounces around a bit, but this is probably the average pick number for him. Landing in San Francisco at the end of the first round would be a great situation, going to Kyle Shanahan’s high-octane and creative offense. Also, Franklin would then become the first receiver in Oregon history to be drafted in the first round.
CBS Sports | Bo Nix — Round 1, Pick 18 (Denver Broncos)
Photo Courtesy of Ethan Landa
Our Analysis: It feels like the middle of the first round is more reasonable for Nix, even if he doesn’t have a Heisman-worthy season. Also interesting that the goes to the Denver Broncos in this scenario, who might be ready to move on from QB Russell Wilson after another year at Mile High.
Fox Sports | Bo Nix — Round 1, Pick 31 (San Francisco 49ers)
Our Analysis: Another interesting landing spot for Nix, who would be Kyle Shanahan’s next QB protege in this scenario. It makes sense, considering that Shanahan has loved to work with guys like Brock Purdy, Nick Mullens, Jimmy Garapolo, and other QBs who fit a similar mold as the Oregon QB.
Bleacher Report | Troy Franklin — Round 1, Pick 11 (Green Bay Packers)
Our Analysis: No. 11 goes No. 11 to the Green Bay Packers. This is probably the ceiling for Franklin as far as draft position and would assume that he has an incredible junior year in Eugene that likely sees him as a Belitnikoff Award finalist.
The Draft Network | Bo Nix — Round 1, Pick 20 (Minnesota Vikings)
Our Analysis: Another mid-round landing spot for Nix, this time as the likely successor to Kirk Cousins, who may be finding his way out of Minnesota in the months to come. Hard to imagine a better situation for Nix, who would go from throwing to Troy Franklin to enjoying a connection with Justin Jefferson.
Pro Football Network | Bo Nix — Round 1, Pick 19 (Minnesota Vikings)
Our Analysis: Again, a mock with Nix going to Minnesota to take over for Kirk Cousins. It feels like the middle of the first round is likely where we see Bo go a year from now, based on consensus opinion.
Pro Football Network | Brandon Dorlus — Round 1, Pick 30 (Buffalo Bills)
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Our Analysis: Our first defensive name! Brandon Dorlus sneaks into the first round according to Pro Football Network, joining the Buffalo Bills elite defensive line and instantly becoming a contender in the AFC. Should Dorlus become a first-rounder, it would presume that he has an outstanding season in 2023, and his decision to come back for one more year was well worth it.
Pro Football Network | Troy Franklin — Round 2, Pick 52 (Cleveland Browns)
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Our Analysis: This mock draft from Pro Football Network has Troy Franklin going as low as we’ve seen in any so far this spring, but it would still be a success for No. 11. Maybe not a Belitnikoff-caliber season, but another great year that sees a lot of success with Bo Nix.
Pro Football Network | Jordan Burch — Round 2, Pick 60 (San Francisco 49ers)
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Our Analysis: The first Jordan Burch sighting in the mock drafts. Oregon fans feel confident that Burch can have an outstanding season for the Ducks, and should he become the pass-rusher and game-breaker that everyone expects, then it’s easy to see him landing as a Day 2 pick, if not earlier in Day 1 as well.
Pro Football Network | Jestin Jacobs — Round 2, Pick 62 (Buffalo Bills)
(Photo Courtesy of Zachary Neel | USA TODAY)
Our Analysis: If Jestin Jacobs can find his way into the second round, that portends a massive success for Oregon’s defense. The linebacker room needs a playmaker to step up, and Jacobs going as a Day 2 pick means that he came in from Iowa and did just that.
DraftKings | Troy Franklin — Round 1, Pick 31 (San Francisco 49ers)
Our Analysis: Another pick at the end of the first round for Troy Franklin, and another scenario where he ends up with the San Francisco 49ers. Both would be great situations for No. 11 in my opinion.
College Sports Wire | Bo Nix — No. 25 Ranked Prospect
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Our Analysis: USA TODAY’s College Sports Wire didn’t do an entire mock draft, per se, but they ranked their top 32 prospects on the board, with Nix coming in at No. 25. It feels like this might be relatively conservative for the Oregon QB, and would presume that he sees some regression in 2023.
Sporting News | Troy Franklin — Round 1, Pick 23 (Chicago Bears)
(Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)
Our Analysis: Troy Franklin playing alongside DJ Moore, Chase Claypool, and Darnell Mooney would be a pretty stacked receiver corps, all with the hopes that QB Justin Fields can continue to grow into an elite passer and playmaker. This would be a fun scenario.
