Oregon Football 2016 NFL Draft Tracker, Analysis and Results

Last season was not the kind that the Oregon Ducks had grown accustomed to over the past several seasons. They still finished the season strong at 9-4, and these seven NFL draft prospects are a big reason for that.

DeForest Buckner figures to be one of the first names called on Thursday night, but where will the others fall? We will break down every projected draft choice for the Ducks and also provide some potential replacements for these players.

Note: This NFL draft tracker will be updated as the players are selected. 

DE DeForest Buckner

Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Drafted: Round 1, Pick 6 to San Francisco 

Height: 6'7"

Weight: 300 lbs

Analysis: Buckner is a powerful defensive lineman, and at 6'7" and 300 pounds he will have no trouble making plays right away for the 49'ers defense. He will join former teammate Arik Armstead, who San Francisco selected in the first round a year ago. 

Replacement: The Ducks have high expectations this season for another highly touted defensive end: Canton Kaumatule. He played in eight games last season as a freshman, but Oregon will rely on him to set up this year. He has all of the tools to be special and become another first-round defender for the Ducks. 

LB Joe Walker

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Drafted: Round 7, Pick 251 to Philadelphia

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 236 lbs

Analysis: In three seasons for Oregon, Walker totaled 205 tackles in 40 games. He ran a 4.56 time on the 40-yard dash at his pro day, which likely bumped him up on a lot of team's charts. He plays fast, but he may be a bit small for the middle linebacker position. Philadelphia added some depth with this pick, and his successful college career shows that he can be developed. 

Replacement: With the loss of Walker, the Ducks will likely turn to Danny Mattingly, who had 25 tackles in 2015. Walker will be missed in the middle of that defense, so it will be up to the coaches to mold the redshirt junior into a solid starter. 

WR Bralon Addison

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 190 lbs

Analysis: Addison will become a popular pick in the later stages of the draft because of his quickness. He has the tools to make a solid slot receiver, but Rob Rang of CBSSports.com notes that Addison may lack "the true breakaway speed to be a traditional vertical threat in the NFL." From Randall Cobb to Brandin Cooks, it's clear the NFL values smaller receivers who can consistently get open, and Addison is no exception to that. 

Replacement: Oregon has plenty of options at wide receiver this year, but it's just a matter of guys stepping up. Jalen Brown, a former 4-star recruit, and Kirk Merritt, also a 4-star recruit, are two young players who have a lot of upside. Dwayne Stanford, who caught 30 passes for 463 yards and five touchdowns in 2015, will likely start Addison's position.  

WR Byron Marshall

Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 5'10"

Weight: 205 lbs

Analysis: Like most backs who come through Oregon, Marshall's speed and athleticism is enticing to potential NFL suitors. SportsIllustrated.com notes that "he has the moves and early speed to create space, and his versatility can be crafted into a big advantage in the right system." He could potentially play running back or wide receiver and also return kicks, and that versatility makes him a pretty safe pick later in the draft.  

Replacement: Brown started 2015 as Marshall's backup, so we could see him take over that spot, but there are other talented players who will battle for the job. Charles Nelson can play both offense and defense, but with the departure of Addison and Marshall, he could likely be used more on the offensive side of the ball. Darren Carrington and Devon Allen also add to the potential of Oregon's offense in 2016.

LB Christian French

Al Goldis/Associated Press

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'5"

Weight: 250 lbs

Analysis: Chad Reuter of NFL.com listed French before the start of last season as a player to watch as a mid-round pick, and it seems he was accurate. French is projected by Bleacher Report's Matt Miller to be drafted in the fifth round, and the potential is there for the outside linebacker. He led the Ducks with 6.5 sacks in 2014.

Replacement: Torrodney Prevot and Eddie Heard are the projected starters for Oregon at outside linebacker in 2016. Prevot totaled 48 tackles and 2.5 sacks a year ago, and Heard came on strong to end the season, finishing with four of his five total tackles in the final six games. 

QB Vernon Adams Jr.

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 201 lbs

Analysis: If you ask Vernon Adams Jr. who the best quarterback is in this draft, you better be ready for a confident young man answering you back. Per Lindsay H. Jones of USA Today, Adams recently stated “I feel like I'm as good as everybody else or better than everybody else in this draft."

Because of his height and ability to keep plays alive, he is drawing comparisons to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, but Nemec agrees that "serious questions about his ability to run a pro system are fair." Gauging how system quarterbacks project to the NFL can be tricky, but a team will likely take a chance on him late in the draft because of his ability to make plays happen with his legs. 

Replacement: Dakota Prukop, a graduate transfer from Montana State, got to practice with the team in the spring, which will help him take control of the starting quarterback job. Per Tyson Alger of the Oregonian, Prukop threw for 3,025 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior at Montana State. He also added 797 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground.

DL Alex Balducci

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'4"

Weight: 310 lbs

Analysis: Balducci has a chance at being drafted in the later rounds, but he most likely projects as an undrafted free agent. Per NFL.com's Andy Fenelon and Chase Goodbread (h/t Josh Wilson of SB Nation), Balducci met with the Indianapolis Colts after a practice for the East-West Shrine Game. He has good size at 310 pounds, but Lance Zierlein of NFL.com notes that he doesn't "play with the functional strength and technique to match his frame as an interior lineman."

Replacement: Rex Manu and Austin Maloata both served as backups to Balducci in 2015 and will look to secure spots along the defensive line. Gary Baker and Drayton Carlberg are also in the mix.

OL Tyler Johnstone

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Drafted: Undrafted

Height: 6'6"

Weight: 295 lbs

Analysis: Unfortunately for Johnstone, scouts don't think he is the same player he was a couple of years ago. Zierlein says the 2013 tape on Johnstone shows a more athletic tackle than film from this past season. Zierlein goes on to add that "without functional flexibility and explosiveness, a career in the NFL will be difficult." 

Replacement: After starting at right tackle, Tyrell Crosby is projected to make the move to left tackle in place of Johnstone. A rising junior, Crosby has been a solid contributor his first two years on campus and should be ready to take on a larger role in 2016.

Recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.