Going into the 2026 season, expectations were high for the Oregon Ducks . Not only was Dan Lanning's team projected to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff, but the veteran talent on the team was expected to stand apart, and several players were anticipated to land in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft.
So far, expectations have not been met. The Ducks are 3-2 through the first six weeks, and with starting quarterback Dante Moore out for another game with a concussion, there are concerns that the team could fall to 3-3 after a tough Saturday night game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers .
However, there is still some positivity among NFL circles when it comes to the Ducks. According to the latest mock draft from USA Today , a trio of Oregon players is still projected to land in the first round, as well as a former Duck who happens to be having a breakout season with his new team.
Despite an up-and-down showing before his injury, Moore is still considered one of the top passers in the nation, and NFL teams aren't changing their opinions just yet. We will see if he can get back on the field this year for the Ducks, but despite the limited play, he is still being valued by teams. Here's what USAT had to say:
"After a season of spinning its wheels at quarterback, Arizona looks due for a serious investment behind center. Moore's projection might not be on stable ground after he followed up a shaky outing in a Week 2 loss with a concussion against USC . But as a precision passer who can easily find a rhythm and deliver touch throws, he's well-suited to take over as the triggerman for Mike LaFleur's attack."
The start of the year wasn't great for Washington, who struggled to match his 2025 production and had an issue with discipline penalties. However, over the last couple of games, he has really stepped up and started to look like his old self, which is very encouraging for Oregon's defense as a whole. Here's what USAT had to say:
"A secondary that continues to short-circuit might take priority here, especially if the Joey Porter Jr. move doesn't pan out. But selecting Washington might aid the defense in blowing up plays before they can truly get started. A surprisingly nimble mover for a 6-3, 319-pounder, Washington has the kind of head-turning big-man athleticism that Jerry Jones could find hard to resist."
It doesn't come as a surprise to see Johnson land somewhere in the first round, as he has continued to prove that he is among the best tight ends in the nation this year and completely invaluable to Oregon's offense. He has missed some time with an injury so far this season, but when on the field, it's clear that Johnson is among the most important people in the Ducks' offense. Here's what USAT had to say:
"Mark Andrews' Week 5 woes further drove home the importance of charting a new course at tight end. As an inline option who thrives working over the middle, Johnson sizes up as a nearly ideal fit for offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's scheme. He hasn't enjoyed the star turn that some expected after Kenyon Sadiq's departure, but a solid finish to the season could help solidify his first-round credentials."
If you haven't seen it yet, it's worth checking out what former Duck Kingston Lopa is doing with Tosh Lupoi down in Berkeley. The veteran safety is having a massive breakout with the Cal Golden Bears, leading the nation with five interceptions so far this year, along with 27 tackles and one INT touchdown. If he keeps this production up, USAT believes he could find his way into the first round of the upcoming draft.
"Cornerback Renardo Green has made substantial strides this season, but additional upgrades on the back end would accelerate the growth of this unit. As the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in interceptions with five, the 6-5, 210-pound Lopa possesses a playmaking prowess that was absent from San Francisco's secondary in previous years."
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: 3 Oregon players, 1 former Duck land in first round of mock draft
