23-04-2025
Texas NFL draft projections: Where Longhorns are being mocked in 2025
Texas football will be one of the most represented programs at the 2025 NFL Draft, with a chance at even having the most first-round picks.
The Longhorns have three projected first-round picks on Thursday, which is tied with Georgia for the most in USA TODAY Sports' first-round mock.
Texas, which is losing quarterback Quinn Ewers and replacing him with heralded prospect Arch Manning next season, fell to Ohio State in the semifinals of the first 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024.
Coach Steve Sarkisian has revitalized the program and has the Longhorns consistently one of college football's most talented teams since taking over in 2021.
Here's a look at where Texas players are being projected for the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin:
Texas NFL mock draft projections
WR Matthew Golden, No. 12 overall to Dallas Cowboys
Golden has made quite the rise since transferring from Houston to Texas last offseason, as he led the Longhorns in receiving and ran a blazing 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
One of the best overall athletes in the draft is projected as the first receiver off the board by USA TODAY Sports. Here's what Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz said of Golden:
"After again treating free agency like a yard sale while other teams operated as though they were at the auction house, Dallas is due for a spark. Golden certainly provides that, with his knack for creating separation making him an enticing asset for Dak Prescott and a Cowboys offense searching for some semblance of a threat beyond CeeDee Lamb."
OT Kelvin Banks Jr., No. 13 overall to Miami Dolphins
Banks Jr. won the Outland Trophy in 2024 and was a unanimous All-American after being one of the best offensive linemen in college football.
The big Texas blocker projects as one of the best linemen of the draft and gives the Dolphins plenty of flexibility as it looks to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He's also flexible, having played both guard and tackle.
"Miami has already experienced many of the limitations left by its underperforming lines, so allotting early picks up front is imperative for general manager Chris Grier," Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. "A natural scheme fit for the Dolphins, Banks could slot in at guard while still providing flexibility if Patrick Paul has trouble taking over at left tackle."
CB Jahdae Barron, No. 19 overall to Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Barron was one of the best defensive backs in college football last season, and he certainly made the right decision to return to school in 2024 after his huge year. The Jim Thorpe Award winner and consensus All-American was the 2025 Peach Bowl MVP.
The fifth-year senior provides relentless effort and has a chance to be among the best cornerbacks to come out of the 2025 draft.
"If there's one coach who would most appreciate the full scope of Barron's ability, it's Todd Bowles," Middlehurst-Schwartz writes. "The Buccaneers coach and former NFL defensive back would surely relish the versatility and savvy of the Thorpe Award winner, and Tampa Bay could deploy him in a wide array of different looks and assignments."
Texas NFL draft picks 2025
Texas has many others that are expected to be selected, but not in the first round. Here's the full roundup, per The Athletic's Dane Brugler:
DT Alfred Collins: Third round, No. 66 overall to Kansas City Chiefs
QB Quinn Ewers: Third round, No. 82 overall to Seattle Seahawks
TE Gunnar Helm, Third round, No. 88 overall to Jacksonville Jaguars
DT Vernon Broughton: Fourth round, No. 116 overall to Miami Dolphins
DE Barryn Sorrell: Fourth round, No. 124 overall to Green Bay Packers
OL Cameron Williams: Fifth round, No. 141 overall to Tennessee Titans
S Andrew Mukuba: Fifth round, No. 145 overall to New York Jets
RB Jaydon Blue: Sixth round, No. 187 overall to Minnesota Vikings
OL Hayden Conner: Seventh round, No. 239 overall to Dallas Cowboys
