2024 NFL mock draft: Could Texas' Adonai Mitchell join the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes?
11 Texas football players have been invited to the 2024 NFL combine, with the chance to raise their stock before the upcoming draft.
A run to the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Playoff put Texas' roster in the spotlight, and analysts, as well as teams, are noticing the Longhorn talents.
At this point in time, it seems that Texas DL Byron Murphy II is a lock to be drafted in a first round. However, he's not the only one, as another surprise player has been rising up draft boards. Here's what the newest mock drafts have to say.
Texas WR Adonai Mitchell
The Ringer: Cowboys in the 1st round, pick 24
"The Cowboys have a playmaking no. 1 receiver in CeeDee Lamb, but the best offenses in the NFL have two big-time pass catchers. Mitchell reminds me a lot of Lamb in the smooth, effortless way he moves, and he brings size, body control, and big-play talent to the Dallas offense."
CBS Sports' Kyle Stackpole: Chiefs in the 1st round, pick 32
"Patrick Mahomes gets another playmaker as the Chiefs pair yards-after-catch-machine Rashee Rice with contested-catch savant Adonai Mitchell."
The Athletic: Chiefs in the 1st round, pick 32
"Well, this would be fun. Mitchell is another big, long and explosive downfield target with enough speed to stretch people vertically. Though Mitchell only had one full year with a high workload, he’d be a terror with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce."
Texas DT Byron Murphy II
NFL's Lance Zierlein: Raiders in the 1st round, pick 13
"Murphy is explosive and extremely powerful for his size. He feels like an easy selection for the Raiders in this spot."
The Ringer: Jaguars in the 1st round, pick 17
"Murphy is a squatty but quick penetration player, which fits the role and mold that new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen has preferred of his interior defensive linemen."
The Athletic: Jaguars in the 1st round, pick 17
"Jacksonville needs trench help on both sides of the ball, and Murphy was a huge problem for just about every team Texas faced last season. The 6-1, 308-pounder plays with outstanding explosion off the snap and has the grip strength/power to toss guards and centers. He’d make Jacksonville’s other young defensive pieces better."
CBS Sports' Kyle Stackpole: Cardinals in the 1st round, pick 27
"Despite being undersized, Byron Murphy has all of the skills needed to serve as the anchor in the middle of the Cardinals defensive front."
USA Today: Bengals in the 1st round, pick 18
"DJ Reader is recovering from a torn quad and might find a richer deal elsewhere in free agency. Plugging in Murphy would set Cincinnati up to generate more havoc up front with a quick-twitch threat who can throw blockers off balance."
Texas TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
NFL's Lance Zierlein: 49ers in the 1st round, pick 31
"Sanders isn't a great blocker, but he can beat man coverage and makes tough catches. He would provide Kyle Shanahan with a unique size matchup for his offense."
The Athletic: Bengals in the 2nd round, pick 49
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 2024 NFL mock draft: Chiefs' new weapon: Texas' Adonai Mitchell
