It's not just about Bijan Robinson; 7 Texas Longhorns are holding onto NFL Draft hopes
Every Texas football fan and every follower of the NFL draft expects running back Bijan Robinson to get taken in the first round Thursday night. But what other Longhorns may get drafted, and when could they get picked? Here's a look at the seven top hopefuls, listed in order of their anticipated order of selections:
Bijan Robinson, running back
Draft projection: First round (Thursday night)
Teams needing a RB: Cowboys (26th), Bills (27th), Broncos (no 1st), Dolphins (no first), Eagles (10th and 30th), Buccaneers (19th), Commanders (16th)
The Doak Walker Award winner as the nation’s best collegiate running back is that rare draft prospect who can step in immediately as a starter regardless of the style of offense. A 5-foot-11, 215-pound back with speed and power, Robinson can work between the tackles and also is a gifted receiver who caught 60 passes for 805 yards with eight TDs to go along with his 3,410 yards and 33 rushing TDs in three seasons at Texas.
More: Bohls, Golden: Where will you go, Mr. Robinson? A lonely fan base turns its eyes to you
Roschon Johnson, running back
Draft projection: Rounds 3-4 (Friday or Saturday)
Teams needing a RB: Cowboys, Bills, Broncos, Dolphins, Eagles, Buccaneers, Commanders
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound converted quarterback may not have the look of an NFL feature back, but he has all the intangibles that could make him the second Longhorn taken. He can fill an immediate need as a short-yardage back who had 23 TDs and 2,190 yards rushing in his career. He also boasts breakaway speed that helps make up for his lack of open-field elusiveness; he had 56 catches for 420 yards on his four years. A selfless player and team leader at Texas, he also projects as a special teams contributor as a rookie.
More: Texas caps a positive spring with a positive spring game, as quarterbacks shine
DeMarvion Overshown, outside linebacker
Draft projection: Rounds 3-5 (Friday or Saturday)
Teams needing an OLB: Atlanta, Denver, L.A. Rams, New Orleans
Scouting report: A 6-foot-3, 230-pounder with 4.56 speed, the converted safety is now at his best when he’s rushing the passer. NFL scouts ding him a bit for a lack of heft in the running game and some lapses in pass coverage, but Overshown was extremely productive in five seasons at Texas. He earned three all-Big 12 selections, including a first-team nod in 2022 when he had 67 tackles, 15 quarterback pressures and three sacks.
Moro Ojomo, defensive tackle
Draft projection: Rounds 4-5 (Saturday)
Teams needing a DT: Cardinals, Ravens, Panthers, Browns, Saints
An elite run-stuffer at the collegiate level, the 6-foot-3, 295-pounder plays with ideal leverage and strength above his size. He racked up 32 tackles and 5.5 tackles for a loss this past season, but lacks next-level pass-rushing skills and had only five sacks in four seasons. He could be drafted by a team that prefers the 3-technique in a four-man front. His tenacity, sure tackling and quality intangibles will likely earn him a spot on an NFL roster.
Keondre Coburn, defensive tackle
Draft projection: Rounds 5-6 (Saturday)
Teams needing a DT: Cardinals, Ravens, Panthers, Browns, Saints
An old-school bully of a run stuffer, the 6-foot-2, 335-pounder could find a home with a team that wants a fireplug at nose guard or defensive tackle. The veteran started 45 games for Texas in four seasons and had his best year in 2022 with 28 tackles, three for a loss and 1.5 sacks. A quick first step and relentless motor make him a hard block inside, but a lack of length and elite athleticism up front will likely drop him into the later rounds.
D’Shawn Jamison, cornerback
Draft projection: Late rounds, or an undrafted free agent
Teams needing a CB: Raiders, Jaguars, Giants, Seahawks
Production isn’t a concern for Jamison, who started 40 games in his five-year career at Texas and had 139 career tackles with six interceptions. But size is; he checked in at 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, below his listed height and below the preferred measurables by NFL scouts. But he has shown the versatile coverage skills in both man and zone that could make him an effective nickel back, and he also has experience returning kicks.
Jahleel Billingsley, tight end
Draft projection: Late rounds, or an undrafted free agent
Teams needing a TE: Bengals, Cowboys, Packers, Dolphins
The former blue-chip recruit who originally played at Alabama before transferring to Texas has all the measurables at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and 4.6 speed. He won’t give a team much in the blocking game, but his skill set seems ideal for a team that prefers its tight ends to play like big wide receivers. But his production just doesn’t match those measurables, and red flags abound; Billingsley had only 40 receptions in four seasons, drew rare public criticism from Alabama coach Nick Saban and didn't play for Texas at the end of last season.
Looking ahead to the 2024 draft
What next year's draft might look like for possible draft-eligible Longhorns:
QB Quinn Ewers: He has the golden arm and enough size at a listed 6-2, 205 pounds, and a big redshirt sophomore season could give him some options.
WR Adonai Mitchell: At 6-4 and 190 pounds and a reported 4.5 speed, the junior transfer from Georgia could skyrocket up draft boards if he has a healthy and productive 2023 season.
WR Jordan Whittington: Injuries have hampered the versatile fifth-year senior who projects as a slot receiver at the next level, but the skill set seems like an NFL fit.
WR Xavier Worthy: The speedy junior can take the top off a defense, excels in yards after the catch and has the production, but lacks ideal size.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders: With the production, ideal measurable and the intangibles that have drawn plenty of praise from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff, the junior could emerge as the top tight end prospect in next year’s draft.
OL Hayden Connor: The 6-5, 315-pound junior started all 13 games last season at left guard and emerged as a physical technician on the interior. If he continues to develop and get stronger, he could force his way onto NFL scouts’ radars.
LB Jaylan Ford: A third-team all-American as a junior in 2022, the speedy inside linebacker has good NFL size at a listed 6-foot-3, 235 pounds and plenty of production, as evidenced by his 119 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, four interceptions and two sacks a year ago.
DB Ryan Watts: NFL scouts love the 6-foot-3, 205-pound frame for the Texas native and Ohio State transfer, who had 35 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception as a junior in 2022.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What Texas football players could get picked in the 2023 NFL Draft?
