As the final part of the NFL Combine wrapped up over the weekend, you will see that a handful of Ducks helped boost their draft positions with solid performances throughout. Out of the 12 Oregon alums in Indianapolis, I don't think anyone had a better overall day than Terrance Ferguson.
The big TE from Colorado was one of only two Ducks remaining from the 2021 recruiting class, with the rest either having gone via the transfer portal or the draft. His four-year Oregon career is one for the record books. He finished with 16 touchdown receptions, which is the most for a tight end in program history, and wrapped up his senior season with a career-best 591 receiving yards.
His talent shined again on Friday, as his 4.64 40-yard dash time ranked first among his position group. With the Kansas City Chiefs gearing up to lose Travis Kelce in the inevitable future and their history of liking fast players, I have them taking Ferguson in the third round.
He wouldn't need to come in right away and be the guy. Learning under one of the greatest tight ends in history while also being a part of a winning culture sounds like a match made in heaven for Ferguson.
Oregon has been able to find talent in the transfer portal for just about every position. The one spot that has been a constant so far through Lanning's tenure is his ability to go into the portal and find corners. Starting with Christian Gonzales who came to Oregon from Colorado and only needed a season in Eugene to solidify himself as an eventual first-round draft pick.
Then came the late Khyree Jackson, who shined two seasons ago when he transferred in from Alabama. Despite being left on an island for long parts of the game, Jackson also succeeded in the Oregon defensive scheme and managed to be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This season proved to be Muhammad's turn after having a National Championship game under his belt from his time at Washington. At Oregon, he took over as the No. 1 cornerback, and while he couldn't add to his career interception total, he certainly did his job.
With the Ducks, he tallied his second straight season with 10+ pass deflections, he had his third straight season with 40+ tackles, and he was a huge part of the team's overall defensive success.
I have him going to New England in the fourth round simply because I think there could be a pattern. So far with the Patriots, Gonzales has become one of the better lockdown corners in the NFL. He earned second-team All-Pro in 2024, and maybe that will show the higher-ups in New England that Oregon corners have talent.
Muhammad could go to pretty much any team realistically, with secondaries always needing help around the league. His 5-foot-9 frame, however, may suggest he transition to a Nickel role wherever he gets drafted.
In 2023, Oregon's offensive line gave up the fewest amount of sacks in the country. Bo Nix was able to get out of rare pressures and found quick passes to help keep the overall season sack total to 5.
Even though the pass protection took a step back this past season, the two most consistent pieces were on the exterior. I've already mentioned Conerly and his success in my previous article, but on the opposite end of him, and arguably just as reliable, was Ajani Cornelius.
The two-year starter transferred in from Rhode Island and immediately proved why he was one of the most sought-after players in the 2022 transfer portal. He didn't allow any sacks in 2023 and helped Oregon's offensive line overcome an early slump last season.
With salary cap hits being a detriment to most elite NFL teams, I believe that the reigning champs will look to add someone like Cornelius in the later rounds of the draft. Philadelphia's offensive line was arguably the best in the league last year. With Mekhi Becton being an unrestricted free agent and Lane Johnson not getting any younger, I think the Eagles would benefit greatly from this pick.
For many years, it seemed like the one position that the Ducks struggled to transition to the NFL was wide receiver. Oregon had plenty of talented offenses with eventual first-round draft pick quarterbacks at the helm, but the playmakers getting the ball were hardly getting selected at all. Recently, that has changed.
Troy Franklin got drafted in the 4th round last year, and now Traeshon Holden will likely join him alongside the previously mentioned Tez Johnson. Holden was also a part of Oregon's 2022 transfer class, alongside Cornelius and Johnson. He came here from Alabama and quickly found himself as one of the Duck's only true big-body targets.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing over 200 pounds, he became a much more unique target than players like Johnson, Franklin, or Evan Stewart.
While his stats aren't quite as eye-catching as those wideouts, Holden proved to be extremely reliable during his Oregon career. Despite missing a couple of games due to disciplinary reasons, he racked up a career-high 718 receiving yards on 45 receptions.
I see him going to the Steelers on Day 3 because I think he could work well in an offense with George Pickens. The two have a similar size comparison, with Pickens being a little faster. Together, it would be a tough duo to stop, whether it's Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, or somebody else throwing them the ball.
The Ducks don't utilize the Captain's patch on the jersey, indicating who the team captains are. Even so, it wasn't hard to tell that Jeffrey Bassa was one of the main ones for the team last year. Bassa was one of the longest-tenured Ducks last year, having joined the program a season before Lanning's arrival. The former high school safety quickly found his calling at the linebacker position and even started seven games as a true freshman.
He earned more playing time the following year, racking up nine starts and appearing in all 13 games. Lanning began improving his defensive scheme as time went on, and we saw the improvements directly with Bassa.
By his junior season, he had gained roughly 20 pounds and had the starting spot completely secured. Over his career, Bassa totaled 226 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
His role in the locker room was more important than any of the statistics, and his leadership was felt by more than just the defensive side of the ball. Bassa became like another coach on the field with his knowledge of the game, and that will translate extremely well at the next level.
I have him going somewhere around day 3 to a team like the Commanders because they utilize inside linebackers better than nearly anyone. With the help of an elite rookie year from Jayden Daniels, Washington found themselves in the NFC Championship game.
On the defensive side, they had a solid secondary followed by one of the better linebacker duos in all of football. Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner ran the middle of the defense for Dan Quinn's side, and with Wagner as a pending free agent, they may look to replace him in the draft.
Replacing someone like Wagner is nearly impossible, but if they want another leader to step in for the job, I don't see many better in this draft than Bassa.