The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft begins tonight in Detroit, Michigan. There are several former Oregon Ducks football players who could be taken in the early rounds of the NFL Draft, including center Jackson Powers-Johnson, quarterback Bo Nix and wide receiver Troy Franklin.
The Ducks football program had a total of 236 players selected in the NFL Draft, with 22 players selected in the first round. Watch for that impressive number to grow this weekend.
Here are all 22 Ducks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft…a fun look back! Which Duck is your favorite ProDuck?
November 30, 2019; Eugene, Oregon, USA.Oregon Ducks quarterback Justin Herbert, 10, waits in the tunnel during a game.
Troy Weirinen-USA TODAY Sports
2023: DB Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots
2022: DE Kayvon Thibodeau, New York Giants
2021: OL Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions
2020: QB Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
2016: DE DeForest Buckner, San Francisco 49ers
2015: DE Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers
2015: QB Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
2013: OL Kyle Long, Chicago Bears
2013: DE Dion Jordan, Miami Dolphins
2008: RB Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
2006: DT Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens
2002: QB Joey Harrington, Detroit Lions
1999: QB Akili Smith, Cincinnati Bengals
1996: DB Alex Molden, New Orleans Saints
1987: QB Chris Miller, Atlanta Falcons
1984: OL Gary Zimmerman, New York Giants
1976: DB Mario Clark, Buffalo Bills
1975: TE Russ Francis, New England Patriots
1972: OL Tom Drugas, Baltimore Colts
1972: WR Ahmad Rashad, St. Louis Cardinals
1968: DB Jim Smith, Washington Redskins
1955: QB George Shaw, Baltimore Colts
By the way, former Oregon State football player Penei Sewell has reportedly signed a deal with the Detroit Lions to become the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
Looking at the college football landscape… Notre Dame leads all schools in producing NFL talent, with a total of 525 players selected in the NFL Draft. The Fighting Irish have had five players drafted first overall, the last time in 1972. The USC Trojans had the second most players drafted, with 523 players.
Georgia holds the record for the most NFL draft picks in a single year (15 in 2022). Oregon coach Dan Lanning was at Georgia from 2017 to 2021, and many of the Bulldogs' players were under his belt.
