The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, Michigan is here.
The Oregon Ducks football team has had a player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft for the fourth year in a row. Will the former Duck star be selected in the first round of Thursday's draft for the fifth consecutive season?
Former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix won't be in attendance, but the NFL Draft's attention is on Nix, former center Jackson Powers-Johnson and former receiver Troy Franklin, all of whom are making early-round predictions. ing.
November 18, 2023. Tempe, Arizona, USA.Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates a touchdown.
Mark J. Revillas-USA TODAY Sports
As a professional, Nix has been compared to Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys. According to Walter Football's Prospect Tracker, Nix is the only prospect to have interviewed with all 32 NFL teams prior to the NFL Draft. Let him talk about accumulating airline miles.
The Knicks are expected to draft him in the first or second round. Coming off perhaps the best season ever for a quarterback, Nix is often linked to the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants.
The current prediction for Powers-Johnson is that he will be selected in Rounds 1-2.
In an exclusive interview with duck digest's Bri Amaranthus said his “violent” approach will help him succeed no matter what position he is tasked with playing in the NFL.
“I play violently and I think that translates very well to the league,” Powers-Johnson said.
Powers-Johnson's potential suggests he could develop into a reliable long-term starter, no matter which NFL team drafts him. An NFC scouting director told NFL.com that Powers-Johnson's intangibles are similar to starting centers in the NFL.
“He's tough, smart and strong. I try not to think too much about centers. When you get those pieces, you usually get a starter.” – NFC Director of Scouting
Franklin also attracted attention during the NFL Draft process. NFL.com's professional comparison to Franklin was standout receiver Chris Olave, who was selected 11th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.
Franklin became Oregon's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (25) and tied for the most 100-yard receiving games (11). He also maintained his consistent performance, recording a 30-game catch streak, the second longest streak in school history.
Whichever NFL team drafts Franklin, he's poised to be a valuable second option at the top receiver or a strong deep threat for a team in need of immediate upgrades in its aerial attack.
In an interview with 750 The Game's John Canzano, Franklin expressed a desire to leave a legacy of improving Oregon football's receiver history, as the program hasn't had a first-round receiver in decades. .
“Oregon hasn't had a first-round receiver since 1972 or something, but that didn't affect my decision because I feel like I'm different. There's something different there. “I feel like we can change the culture at receiver at Oregon State,” Franklin said. “Me and some others can change the culture, and that's what we're trying to do.”
