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Oregon OT Lands in Mel Kiper's First Round Mock Draft

On3 imageby:Justin Hopkins•about 11 hours
Oregon Josh Conerly Jr.
Oregon Josh Conerly Jr. (© Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)

Oregon will likely have one of its largest draft classes in program history this year. But it appears they might only have one first rounder from the mix.

On Tuesday NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft. And it included Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Very few players saw their NFL draft stock rise in the second half of this season the way Conerly did. To start the year he was talked about mildly in most circles as maybe a mid-round candidate. Now you’re seeing him go as high as the top ten on some mock drafts.

Kiper has Conerly being projected to go to the Los Angeles Rams with the 26th overall pick in the draft.

Kiper on the Pick:

This is the primary spot where I considered including a third quarterback. All signs point to Matthew Stafford returning to the Rams next season and still playing at a high level. But he’s also going to be 37 when training camp starts. Retirement isn’t out of the question, and even if he does come back, Los Angeles would be smart to start making future plans. One of the league’s best draft-and-develop teams could choose to do that with one of the QB3 options: Syracuse’s Kyle McCord — who is rising after declaring for the draft — Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart and Alabama’s Jalen Milroe would all be in the mix.

But … I’m not ready to put a third passer into Round 1, so I’m instead trying to help the Rams keep Stafford protected. Conerly has fantastic movement traits and maintains a clean pocket for his quarterback. He gave up just two sacks over three seasons in Eugene. He started two of those seasons and has been a consistent blindside wall.

Kiper’s First Round Mock Draft:

  1. Titans: QB Cam Ward (Miami)
  2. Browns: ATH Travis Hunter (Colo.)
  3. Giants: QB Shedeur Sanders (Colo.)
  4. Patriots: OLB Abdul Carter (PSU)
  5. Jaguars: DL Mason Graham (Mich.)
  6. Raiders: WR Teitaroa McMillan (Ariz.)
  7. Jets: OLB Mykel Williams (Ga.)
  8. Panthers: LB Jalon Walker (Ga.)
  9. Saints: CB Will Johnson (Mich.)
  10. Bears: OL Will Campbell (LSU)
  11. 49’ers: OL Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas)
  12. Cowboys: WR Luther Burden III (Mizzou)
  13. Dolphins: SAF Malaki Starks (Ga.)
  14. Colts: TE Tyler Warren (PSU)
  15. Falcons: DE Shemar Stewart (A&M)
  16. Cardinals: OG Tyler Booker (Bama)
  17. Bengals: LB Jihaad Campbell (Bama)
  18. Seahawks: OL Armand Membou (Mizzou)
  19. Bucs: SAF Nick Emmanwori (South Car.)
  20. Broncos: RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise)
  21. Steelers: WR Emeka Egbuka (Ohio St.)
  22. Chargers: TE Colston Loveland (Mich.)
  23. Packers: LB Mike Green (Marshall)
  24. Vikings: CB Benjamin Morrison (ND)
  25. Texans: OT Josh Simmons (Ohio State)
  26. Rams: OL Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon)
  27. Ravens: CB Shavon Revel Jr. (ECU)
  28. Lions: OLB James Pierce Jr. (Tenn.)
  29. Commanders: DE Nic Scourton (A&M)
  30. Bills: CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)
  31. Chiefs: DL Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)
  32. Eagles: DL Kenneth Grant (Mich.)

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