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The season may be over, but the Ducks once again dominated the PAC-12! The SEC and BIG 10 were the clear leaders with 63 and 48 picks, respectively, but the PAC finished strong with 32 draftees - four of those draftees were Ducks.
Justin Herbert was the highest drafted PAC-12 player at No. 6, then Troy Dye, Shane Lemieux and Jake Hanson joined him in the later rounds. Not only did the Ducks make a splash in the first seven rounds, but a flock of players signed as undrafted free agents.
JUSTIN HERBERT - Los Angeles Chargers
Round One, No. 6
The departure of Philip Rivers after a 16-year partnership with the Chargers left some big shoes to fill in Los Angeles. Tyrod Taylor seems to be the clear choice as the immediate starter, which could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Herbert, who would likely benefit from some bench time where he could learn the tricks of the trade and adjust to the speed of the game.
According to Forbes’ salary projections of the first-round draft picks, Herbert is expected to earn 26.6 million on his rookie deal with a 16.9 million dollar signing bonus. The deal is for four years with a fifth-year option. Herbert also has received endorsement deals with Bose, Head & Shoulders, FedEx and Nike.
Justin Herbert. QB, @Chargers. ⚡️
— NFL (@NFL) April 24, 2020
: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/zK0wmAykb5
TROY DYE - Minnesota Vikings
Round Four, No. 132
Dye went a little later than some Duck fans believe he should’ve gone, but the heart and soul of the Oregon football team was thrilled to find out that he would be reunited with his old roommate/teammate Dillon Mitchell. OverTheCap projects Dye’s initial contract will be worth 3.9 million, and includes a signing bonus of $680,000. Basically, Dye is one of three Ducks expected to earn the league minimum $610,000 per year on a four-year contract.
Blessed to be apart of a great organization!! Ready to work!! Skol https://t.co/0VI7xkqmcV
— Troy Dye (@Tdye15dbTroy) April 25, 2020
SHANE LEMIEUX - New York Giants
Round Five, No. 150
The Giants were eager to find offensive linemen in this year’s draft, and after choosing Andrew Thomas of Georgia in the first round, and Matt Peart of UConn in the third, they rounded out their o-line overhaul by choosing Lemieux in the fifth.
Thankful for the opportunity to work! Couldn’t be happier to be apart of such a great organization. Go Big Blue @Giants pic.twitter.com/oDOOas9C0n
— Shane Lemieux (@ShaneLemieux) April 25, 2020
JAKE HANSON - Green Bay Packers
Sixth Round, No. 208
Aaron Rodgers must be thrilled to see an offensive linemen drafted, or at least happier than he was with the Jordan Love pick, as Jake Hanson was selected in the sixth by Green Bay.
.@J_Hanson55 getting it done in the trenches. #PackersDraft | #GoPackGo
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 26, 2020
: #NFLDraft on ABC, ESPN + NFLN pic.twitter.com/3vT8zYrEpu
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
Brady Aiello will hopefully join Troy Dye and Dillon Mitchell after signing with the Minnesota Vikings. Calvin Throckmorton, Gus Cumberlander, Gary Baker and Juwan Johnson are hoping to turn the New Orleans Saints into the Bayou Birds. Bryson Young signed with the Atlanta Falcons and Jake Breeland with the Baltimore Ravens