Prospects From the Oregon Schools Are Everywhere In Latest Mock Drafts

By 750 THE GAME STAFF

Caitlin Clark and the WNBA shined with their draft on Monday and now we really get locked in to the NFL draft. The NFL draft will be on Thurs. April 25th and things are still as messy as ever when it comes to projecting the prospects from the state of Oregon.

In past mock drafts we have seen Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga being picked in the top 10. We have seen two Oregon Ducks in the first round. But we are getting closer and more news is coming out.

Here are some of the updated mock drafts from some of the best mock drafters in the NFL:

Peter Schrager of the NFL Network has released his first mock draft. Schrager has two players from the state of Oregon in the first round. The first one is Beavers offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga who Schrager has going at No. 14 to the Saints.

“Fuaga is a tackle, but could play anywhere on the offensive line if needed. This one might be met with shrugs in New Orleans, but I can see this as a franchise-cornerstone selection by the Saints’ brass. The Oregon State product has a mean streak and a motor that doesn’t quit.”

Schrager then has Oregon quarterback Bo Nix going No. 23 to the Minnesota Vikings.

“Nix could go as high as 11, 12 or 13 … or completely fall out of the first round. I think 23 to the Vikings — or another team around here in a trade-up — makes sense. One thing on Nix: He’s as accurate as they come, having just set the FBS record this past season with a completion percentage of 77.45. Smart processor, too. These are things that will be very highly valued by offensive coaches and QB gurus. That’s Kevin O’Connell. That’s Sean Payton. I could see Nix playing for either of those master tacticians.”

The next mock draft we are looking at is Will Brinson of CBS Sports. Brinson has three players from the state of Oregon in the first round, but no Bo Nix. The first is Fuaga at No. 11 to the Chargers via a trade.

“The Chargers know they need help in multiple spots and will still have OL options at 11, hence the trade down. Jim Harbaugh’s made his intentions very clear.”

Next is Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson who has been booming up draft boards. Brinson has the center going No. 20 to the Steelers.

“JPJ (are we doing that?) apparently spent some time at the Senior Bowl with Mike Tomlin and you can bet they’ll want to shore up the protection for Russell Wilson and/or Justin Fields.”

The final player in Brinson’s mock draft from the state of Oregon is Oregon Ducks record breaking wide receiver Troy Franklin, who Brinson has going No. 28 to the Bills.

“Losing Stefon Diggs certainly creates an area of need for the Bills, even if they’re banking on running the offense through Dalton Kincaid.”

The final mock draft we are looking at is Mel Kiper and Field Yates at ESPN. The two are alternating picks chosen with Kiper starting first. These two only have Fuaga going in the first round – going No. 18 to the Bengals.

“This feels like a dream scenario for Cincinnati, which can continue to invest along the offensive line even after inking Trent Brown to a one-year deal. Fuaga epitomizes toughness on the field but also has nifty feet and agility to hold up as a pass-protector against speedy edge rushers.”

Kiper and Yates ended up picking the first three rounds in their mock draft. They have Bo Nix going No. 38 to the Giants via a trade, Jackson Powers-Johnson going No. 44 to the Raiders, Troy Franklin going No. 54 to the Browns, and Oregon Duck Defensive lineman Brandon Dorlus going No. 99 to the Rams.

The closer we get. Usually the more we know. But just like this season in college football where it felt like there were numerous teams who could win the championship. This year’s draft seems like there is a wide range of outcomes for the prospects out of the state of Oregon.

Check out Peter Schrager’s mock draft here

Check out Will Brinson’s mock draft here

Check out Mel Kiper and Field Yates’ mock draft here

@750TheGame