2024 NFL Draft: 3 Texas Longhorns selected on Day 2
AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a record six quarterbacks were selected in the first 12 picks in the opening round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Thursday, two more rounds will be highlighted Friday night in downtown Detroit.
Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II and wide receiver Xavier Worthy were selected in the first round, making it 47 Longhorns all-time to be plucked by teams on the first day of the draft. Another Longhorns receiver, Adonai Mitchell, went to the Colts with the No. 52 overall pick. A lot of draft experts held Mitchell in high regard as a first-round talent, so the Colts got a steal in the middle of the second round.
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Mitchell has both the physical skills and intangibles to succeed in the NFL.
“The first thing I think of with AD is he’s been a winner his whole life and he’s going to bring that to the Colts,” he said. “He’s got the size and speed, but what makes him truly unique is his ability to get in and out of breaks for a guy who’s that big and fast.”
Round-by-round NFL Draft tracker
For the third time in the modern draft era, no running backs were selected in the first round, leaving Rounds 2 and 3 ripe for the picking of ball carriers. Texas running back Jonathon Brooks is coming off a torn ACL, but the Carolina Panthers don’t seem to mind. They traded up to No. 46 to select Brooks, and he was the first running back off the board.
The Hallettsville native didn’t come to the Longhorns with as many stars beside his name as some guys on a recruiting chart, but Brooks made his mark using a relentless work ethic.
“Jonathon’s a natural runner, he’s got great instincts running the ball, has a really good feel for making people miss in the open field and has exceptional contact balance,” Sarkisian said. “He wasn’t the most highly touted player, he came to Texas knowing Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson were already on the team, and he worked at his craft and really waited his turn.”
Defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat was projected to be selected anywhere from the first round to the third, and even with a DWI charge in Travis County unresolved, the Titans picked Sweat in the second round at No. 38 overall. He’ll be reunited with Longhorns teammate Keondre Coburn.
Sweat was a unanimous All-American, the Big 12 defensive player of the year and Outland Trophy winner. His talent in the trenches is undeniable.
“T’Vondre has a bright future because he’s an extremely talented player with a really high football IQ,” Sarkisian said. “He can diagnose blocking schemes, will take on double teams, has an innate ability of getting off blocks and making plays, especially at critical moments.”
Live updates
No. 87: The Cowboys select Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau
No. 73: The Cowboys select Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe
No. 56: The Cowboys select Western Michigan defensive end Marshawn Kneeland
No. 52: TEXAS LONGHORNS ALERT: It was later than a lot of folks thought it would be, but the Colts selected Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell
No. 46: TEXAS LONGHORNS ALERT: The Colts traded the pick to the Panthers, and Carolina selected Jonathon Brooks as the first running back taken in the draft
No. 41: The Saints traded with the Packers to get the pick and those fans are saying OH YEAH!
New Orleans selects Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.
No. 40: The Eagles traded with the Commanders to get the pick and Philly selected Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean, one of the most versatile players in the draft.
No. 38: TEXAS LONGHORNS ALERT: The Tennessee Titans made a bit of a surprising pick and selected Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. Many thought his pending DWI charge would send him down draft boards, but that wasn’t the case. The talent is undeniable, let that be clear.
NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Titans were the first team Sweat visited after being charged with DWI and said Sweat was “upfront and honest, answering all questions.”
No. 37: Another wide receiver off the board before Mitchell gets his name called in Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk. He goes to the New England Patriots to be paired with No. 3 overall pick quarterback Drake Maye
No. 35: Atlanta traded up to No. 35 with the Arizona Cardinals and the Falcons selected Clemson defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro
No. 34: The New England Patriots traded their No. 34 pick to the Los Angeles Chargers, and new head coach Jim Harbaugh and the crew picked Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey
No. 33: The Bills ended up going with Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman as their first pick of the second round, not Mitchell like many thought would happen. Both are tremendous pass catchers and Bills QB Josh Allen should be happy with the pick.
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