Patriots projected to draft Adonai Mitchell in second round

The highest-rated Texas football prospect available after Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft (at least according to most draft pundits) is junior wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Many draft pundits projected Mitchell to be selected late in the first round of the draft on April 25.

Texas football WR Adonai Mitchell projected to be the first UT ex picked on Day 2 of the 2024 draft

Texas did have one wide receiver selected in the first round of the draft, fellow former Longhorns junior standout Xavier Worthy. The Kansas City Chiefs selected Worthy with the 28th overall pick in the first round of the draft.

If not for a confusing trade that the Buffalo Bills made late in the first round of the draft, Mitchell might've come off the board on Day 1. The Bills essentially handed Worthy, the fastest player in combine history (running a 4.21-second 40-yard dash time at the 2024 NFL Combine), to their AFC foe.

The Bills gave their original first-round pick (28th overall) to the Chiefs for the 32 pick. Buffalo then traded down again with the Carolina Panthers for the 32nd pick, meaning the Bills didn't select anyone in the first round.

Had the Bills not traded down twice, Mitchell potentially could've been the second Texas wide receiver and third Longhorn overall selected in the first round.

So, where is Mitchell projected to be taken on Day 2 of the 2024 draft?

ESPN's latest Round 2 2024 mock draft on April 26 projects the New England Patriots to select Mitchell 34th overall and with the second pick on Day 2. It is a pretty steep drop off between the two AFC North teams drafting with the first two picks of Day 2.

The Bills have the 33rd pick to begin Day 2 of the draft, followed by the Patriots at 34. Both teams still need a wideout on Day 2 of the draft. Buffalo let go of Stefon Diggs earlier this offseason, its top receiving threat for Josh Allen from the last few years.

New England, meanwhile, is looking to get more weapons to pair with its first round draft, former UNC quarterback Drake Maye.

Mitchell is one of the top wideouts available as part of a deep class at the position in the 2024 draft. Any team that snags Mitchell in the second round is getting an absolute steal. Mitchell is a big-bodied wideout with excellent hands, good speed, and polished route running.

Texas has two players selected on Day 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft

Worthy and former Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II were the two Longhorns selected in the first round of the draft. This year is the first time the Longhorns had at least one offensive and one defensive player selected in the first round of the same draft since 2006.

Murphy was Texas's first player drafted, with the Seattle Seahawks picking him 16th overall in the first round. He was also the second defensive player to be drafted this year.

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