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The 2024 Texas football draft prospects have taken the leap to the NFL, with 12 former Longhorns selected within the 257 available picks ― a new program record.
Whether or not the former Longhorns will contribute right away depends on a multitude of factors. Who is ahead of them on the depth chart? Where were they selected in the draft? What plan does the team have for utilizing their new tools?
A few Texas products shone in their debut season, with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy and Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat being key contributors.
Here's how a few of the Longhorns from the 2025 class fit with the team that picked them.
More: For Texas football prospects, path to NFL success doesn't stop after first round | Golden
The Saints knew that offensive lineman Trevor Penning would be a project after trading up for him in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. However, it seems like their patience for the Northern Iowa product has run out.
Kelvin Banks Jr. is the second consecutive offensive lineman the Saints have drafted in the first round (Taliese Fuaga, No. 14 overall). Fuaga started all 17 games as a rookie left tackle, but played right tackle throughout college. Banks started all three years at Texas at left tackle, giving New Orleans the option to replace Penning on the right with Fuaga and slide Banks into his natural position.
There is the option of moving Banks to left guard and allowing Penning to develop on the right side. Regardless, Banks gives new Saints head coach Kellen Moore options to mix and match in the trenches.
The Broncos drafting Jahdae Barron was a case of the rich getting richer. They already have cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The secondary also boasts Riley Moss, Talanoa Hufanga and another Longhorn in Brandon Jones ― each of whom have been proven as solid contributors.
That talent means that there's no clear hole Barron needs to fill, though that shouldn't be a problem. Barron's trademark in his five years in college was his versatility. He played the in the slot, at safety and at outside corner and was productive at all positions. Broncos head coach Sean Payton could try to use Barron's Swiss-Army knife capability to its utmost potential.
The last time the Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round, Matthew Golden hadn't been born yet. In 2002, they drafted Javon Walker 20th overall, who went to one Pro Bowl before being unceremoniously traded.
The Packers wide receiver room begins with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs, all of whom cracked the 500 yard mark in 2024. Reed led the team with 857 yards, no wideout has surpassed 1,000 yards in quarterback Jordan Love's two years as a starter. Enter Golden, whose best stretch of play came at the end of the college season against top level competition.
He showed off blazing speed at the NFL combine with a 4.29 40-yard dash, but Golden's savvy route running and reliable hands were what made him the top target for quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorn will challenge the pecking order in Green Bay's wide receiver room and could become the best of the bunch rather quickly.
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This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How Kelvin Banks Jr. fits with Saints, Matthew Golden fits on Packers
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Whether or not the former Longhorns will contribute right away depends on a multitude of factors. Who is ahead of them on the depth chart? Where were they selected in the draft? What plan does the team have for utilizing their new tools?
A few Texas products shone in their debut season, with Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy and Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat being key contributors.
Here's how a few of the Longhorns from the 2025 class fit with the team that picked them.
More: For Texas football prospects, path to NFL success doesn't stop after first round | Golden
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New Orleans Saints OL Kelvin Banks Jr.
The Saints knew that offensive lineman Trevor Penning would be a project after trading up for him in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. However, it seems like their patience for the Northern Iowa product has run out.
Kelvin Banks Jr. is the second consecutive offensive lineman the Saints have drafted in the first round (Taliese Fuaga, No. 14 overall). Fuaga started all 17 games as a rookie left tackle, but played right tackle throughout college. Banks started all three years at Texas at left tackle, giving New Orleans the option to replace Penning on the right with Fuaga and slide Banks into his natural position.
There is the option of moving Banks to left guard and allowing Penning to develop on the right side. Regardless, Banks gives new Saints head coach Kellen Moore options to mix and match in the trenches.
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Denver Broncos DB Jahdae Barron
The Broncos drafting Jahdae Barron was a case of the rich getting richer. They already have cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The secondary also boasts Riley Moss, Talanoa Hufanga and another Longhorn in Brandon Jones ― each of whom have been proven as solid contributors.
That talent means that there's no clear hole Barron needs to fill, though that shouldn't be a problem. Barron's trademark in his five years in college was his versatility. He played the in the slot, at safety and at outside corner and was productive at all positions. Broncos head coach Sean Payton could try to use Barron's Swiss-Army knife capability to its utmost potential.
You must be registered for see images
Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden
The last time the Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round, Matthew Golden hadn't been born yet. In 2002, they drafted Javon Walker 20th overall, who went to one Pro Bowl before being unceremoniously traded.
The Packers wide receiver room begins with Christian Watson, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs, all of whom cracked the 500 yard mark in 2024. Reed led the team with 857 yards, no wideout has surpassed 1,000 yards in quarterback Jordan Love's two years as a starter. Enter Golden, whose best stretch of play came at the end of the college season against top level competition.
He showed off blazing speed at the NFL combine with a 4.29 40-yard dash, but Golden's savvy route running and reliable hands were what made him the top target for quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorn will challenge the pecking order in Green Bay's wide receiver room and could become the best of the bunch rather quickly.
Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access to all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How Kelvin Banks Jr. fits with Saints, Matthew Golden fits on Packers
Continue reading...
