Jamie Valdez – USA Today Sports
This was one of the better drafts for former Oregon Ducks players in the history of the University. The 2013 NFL Draft marked the first time that two Oregon players were taken in the first round (Dion Jordan and Kyle Long).
Following the flurry of first round Oregon players, the Buffalo Bills took inside linebacker Kiko Alonso with the 46th overall pick.
This was a great pick for both the Bills and Alonso, as one of Buffalo’s biggest needs is an inside linebacker, and they got a player that is ready to start week one.
I have this pick graded as an A, for the reason listed above and the type of player—on the field—that they are getting; this pick was a great value pick.
On the final day of the NFL Draft, Oregon saw two more players get selected.
With the 182nd overall pick (14th pick of the sixth round) the Carolina Panthers took running back Kenjon Barner. He joins fellow Duck alumni Jonathan Stewart in a very crowded backfield.
I grade this pick a C+; it was good for Barner that he got the joy of being picked in the NFL Draft, but his chance of making the team is very slim.
In the same round with the 192nd overall pick (24th pick in the 6th round) the Indianapolis Colts took safety John Boyett. After sitting out his senior season due to injury, the Colts get an amazing athlete and leader that will make an impact as a backup safety and special teams player.
I give this pick a B+; this is a great place for Boyett to land and Indianapolis is getting an amazing value pick who can lead on and off the field.
The 2013 NFL Draft was the best in the University’s history with a total of five players going, the most ever in their history for a single draft.
The NFL Draft also brought great news for 2010 Duck alumni, LeGarrette Blount, who was traded from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the New England Patriots for a seventh-round pick.
This move warrants an A+ grade, solely because Blount will give the Patriots the much needed goal line back and New England gives him the opportunity to get back to 2010 form (he rushed for 1,007 yards on just 201 carries and six touchdowns—while only starting seven games).
Overall the University of Oregon receives an A++ for the success of its former players during the weekend of the 2013 NFL Draft, raising the bar for future Oregon NFL prospects.
Vincent Winter is an Oregon Ducks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @sportsfans247, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
