8 Ducks get selected in new seven-round 2024 NFL mock draft
While the focus of the college football world should be on the upcoming New Year’s Six bowl games, the nature of the sport in 2023 dictates the 2024 NFL draft cycle be at the forefront of the national conversation.
Several Oregon Ducks have entered their names into the 2024 NFL draft pool and have opted out of the Fiesta Bowl. However, Bo Nix, Bucky Irving and Brandon Dorlus have said they will play in the Fiesta Bowl despite their intention to turn pro.
Ian Valentino, of Pro Football Network, released a seven-round 2024 mock draft earlier this week, and several Oregon Ducks are included. Below, I’ve listed all of the Ducks Valentino named and laid out how I feel about each evaluation.
1st Round: QB Bo Nix
Pick: 20
Destination: Minnesota Vikings
It should come as no surprise that Bo Nix is expected to be the first Duck to come off the board in 2024. Valentino has Nix going in the first round, which I think is an accurate evaluation of his talent, but with how loaded this year’s QB class is, I could see Nix falling to the second round. Nix is one of the most “ready-now” QBs in this year’s draft, so, hopefully, he will find success wherever he lands.
2nd Round: WR Troy Franklin
Pick: 45
Destination: New Orleans Saints
The next Duck to come off the board in this mock is wide receiver Troy Franklin. This season, Franklin cemented his legacy as the greatest Oregon receiver ever despite spending only three years as a Duck. Of the Ducks’ 2024 draft class, I think Franklin is the most undervalued player, and I think he should be in first-round consideration. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want a 6-foot-3 receiver with elite speed, hands and game sense?
2nd Round: Brandon Dorlus
Pick: 51
Destination: Minnesota Vikings
Dorlus being drafted in the second round was one of Valentino’s most surprising picks to me. Several other analysts have Dorlus rated as a first-round player, due to his outstanding physical skill. Dorlus was never a statistical monster in college, so perhaps Valentino is basing his evaluation on stats more than the eye test.
3rd Round: RB Bucky Irving
Pick: 67
Destination: Arizona Cardinals
Although Bucky Irving has been one of the most dominant running backs in college football in the last two seasons, he is understandably rated as a mid-round player because of his size disadvantage. Irving is 5 feet, 10 inches and 195 pounds, which is a bit small for an NFL RB, but during his time at Oregon, Irving showed his size was never an indication of his power and ability to make an impact.
4th Round: CB Khyree Jackson
Pick: 99
Destination: New England Patriots
Kicking off the fourth round for the Ducks is Khyree Jackson. Jackson played only one season with the Ducks — after transferring from Alabama — but he was possibly Oregon’s best defender in 2023. Perhaps the best evidence of Jackson’s greatness was Oregon’s struggles to defend the pass against Washington when Jackson was banged up. I am a little surprised at a fourth-round evaluation for Jackson, but perhaps there are concerns about whether his speed will hold up at the NFL level.
4th Round: Jackson Powers-Johnson
Pick: 100
Destination: Washington Commanders
Jackson Powers-Johnson was the only returning starter on the O-line in 2023 and the only Ducks O-lineman who has announced he will enter the 2024 NFL draft. So much of Oregon’s success on the O-line this season can be attributed to Powers-Johnson — both because of his skill and his leadership. Powers-Johnson will be one of the toughest players for Oregon to replace next year, and he will provide a great service to whatever team selects him in April.
5th Round: Edge Jordan Burch
Pick: 160
Destination: Baltimore Ravens
Ahead of the 2023 season, Jordan Burch was one of the Ducks’ most exciting incoming transfers, and he did not disappoint when it came time to play. Valentino has Burch ranked as a fifth-round talent, which is an evaluation I agree with, but Burch has not formally declared for the draft yet, and there is a possibility he will return to Oregon in 2024.
7th Round: OT Ajani Cornelius
Pick: 217
Destination: Kansas City Chiefs
Ajani Cornelius is the final Duck Valentino named in his 2024 mock. Similar to Burch, Cornelius has yet to declare for the draft, and there seems to be a good chance he’ll return for his final season in 2024. Cornelius was one of Oregon’s most productive transfers in 2023, and it would help the Ducks tremendously if he returned in 2024.
