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Breaking Down Every Texas Player Selected in the 2024 NFL Draft

Eric Nahlinby:Eric Nahlin•about 16 hours
Silas Bolden, Steve Sarkisian
Silas Bolden, Steve Sarkisian (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

A year after 11 Texas Longhorns heard their names called during the NFL Draft, the program exceeded it by one and set a new record.

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Here’s a helpful recap for those who weren’t able to glue themselves to the couch for three days straight.

Round 1 (No. 9): OT Kelvin Banks Jr. – New Orleans:
Any Texas fan who watched Banks the last three years was surprised to hear about the talk of a slide. The slide didn’t happen. He lands on a staff with two recent Texas defensive coaches—Bo Davis and Terry Joseph. You can bet New Orleans head coach Kellen Moore quizzed Davis about Banks.

Round 1 (No. 20): CB Jahdae Barron – Denver:
About 12-15 teams will regret passing on one of the highest-floor players in the draft.

Round 1 (No. 23): WR Matthew Golden – Green Bay:
As a wide receiver, all you can ask for is to go to a franchise with a quarterback. It remains to be seen if Jordan Love is a franchise quarterback, but he can move the ball around the field.

Round 2 (No. 43): DT Alfred Collins – San Francisco:
For an offensive coach, Kyle Shanahan loves to invest in the defensive line. Ultra-talented Mykel Williams went to SF at No. 11; Shanahan returned to Austin at No. 43 to pick up Collins.

Round 2 (No. 64): S Andrew Mukuba – Philadelphia:
This pick wasn’t about defending against QBs in the NFC East; it’s about meeting Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl again. What a great landing spot for him.

Round 3 (No. 71): DL Vernon Broughton – New Orleans:
Speaking of Bo Davis and his input. Davis taking Broughton here speaks volumes. Broughton’s selection meant six Texas defensive tackles were drafted in the last three drafts. It’s only right Davis will get to coach one of them.

Round 4 (No. 120): TE Gunnar Helm – Tennessee:
There have been about a zillion quality tight ends drafted in this range.

Round 4 (No. 124): Edge Barryn Sorrell – Green Bay:
I expect a long career out of Sorrell that includes a switch to a more traditional stand-up OLB role.

Round 5 (No. 149): RB Jaydon Blue – Dallas:
Game-breaking speed and versatility head to Dallas. I’ll be interested to see how it plays out.

Round 6 (No. 207): OT Cameron Williams – Philadelphia:
The NFL is a ‘traits over production’ league, but Williams has a lot of issues to iron out before he’s game-ready on Sundays. I feel for him because when he made his decision to leave, he was being mocked a lot earlier than this. Still, his destiny is now in his own hands and he ended up in a great situation.

Round 6 (No. 211): OG Hayden Conner – Arizona:
Conner’s career arc was rewarded on Saturday. Just married, it’s been a big spring for him. The Cardinals should try him at center.

Round 7 (No. 231): QB Quinn Ewers – Miami:
Most Texas fans wanted him to land with Shanahan, McVay, or Mike McDaniel. That wish came true, just many rounds later than just about everyone thought. Given Tua Tagovailoa’s injury history, Ewers could get his chance. Miami has to invest heavily in its backup.

UDFA

WR Silas Bolden – Minnesota:
Reportedly signed for $205,000 guaranteed.

OC Jake Majors – Tennessee:
Reportedly signed for $260,000 guaranteed.

LB David Gbenda – Tennessee:
The Titans really like Longhorns, apparently. Gbenda brings intangibles to the league that should play well on special teams.

CB Gavin Holmes – Detroit:
Great environment to be in. He’s unquestionably an NFL cover “athlete.” He could make it.

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DT Bill Norton – LA Rams:
Big bodies are always in demand.

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