Q: Following the New England Patriots' selection of Malcom Brown in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, who will be Texas' next first-round pick?

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Bobby Burton, Publisher

It's been a long time since a Texas Longhorns offensive lineman has been selected in the NFL draft -- Tony Hills was the last in 2008 -- but the drought is even longer for linemen in the first round. The last Longhorn lineman to earn the distinction was Mike Williams, when the Bills selected the offensive tackle in 2002. But Kent Perkins will end both extended droughts in 2017. The junior has ideal NFL size (6-foot-5, 330 pounds), and he's just starting to understand what it takes to be great. If he's better this year, it will put him in good position to be a top pick in the 2017 draft, ending a 15-year streak without a first-round lineman in the process for Texas.

Jeff Howe, Senior Writer

The 2016 NFL Draft likely won't be kind to Texas with attrition having ravaged the 2012 class. There are very few, if any, sure-fire NFL prospects among the Longhorns eligible for the draft next season. However, I'm looking at the 2017 NFL Draft and thinking Hassan Ridgeway will be in the mix to be one of the first 32 players selected.

If you look at Ridgeway's production and compare it to Malcom Brown's, the fourth-year junior is heading down the same road. Ridgeway went from 13 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and no sacks as a redshirt freshman to 43 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6 sacks playing alongside a consensus first-team All-American in Brown (who posted a 25/2/0 line as a true freshman and a 68/12/2 line as a sophomore).

Talking to people close to the program, Ridgeway's weight room numbers and offseason testing results were equal to or better than Brown's when the two were working side by side at this time last year. If Ridgeway's production takes another climb to around what Brown did in 2014 with 68 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, his 6-foot-4-inch 307-pound package of youthful athleticism (he turns 21 in November) might be too much for a team to let slide beyond the first round.

EJ Holland, Lead Recruiting Reporter

It looks like Texas will have to wait a couple of years before having another player selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. I know he hasn't played a down for the Longhorns yet, but my pick to be the next first rounder to come out of Texas is linebacker Malik Jefferson. The former five-star recruit and No. 1 overall prospect in the state, Jefferson had a solid spring and showed flashes of potential for the future. And more importantly, Jefferson added some much needed bulk to his frame. A linebacker with safety speed, Jefferson is an absolute terror coming off the edge, but he's also versatile enough to play inside linebacker. His numbers at The Opening last year were ridiculous, so there is no doubt he'll be able to wow at the NFL combine with his testing in a few years. Jefferson is a special talent and will develop into a true star under Texas head coach Charlie Strong. If you look at what Strong was able to do at Louisville as far as developing NFL talent, then there is no reason not to believe he can't mold Jefferson into a first rounder. As mentioned, Jefferson hasn't even suited up for the Longhorns, but he is one of the best high school players I've ever seen, and my expectations for him are through the roof.

Chris Hummer, Managing Editor

It’s not a total criticism of the players currently on the roster, but the potential for a first-round draft pick to emerge from Texas the next two years is rather bleak. Hassan Ridgeway has the frame and talent, but he’s missing the tape, as of now, necessary to earn a first-round grade. Jason Hall is a nice prospect and very instinctual safety, but he doesn’t have elite athleticism. Outside of those two, it would be a reach to call any current Texas lettermen a future first-round selection. So that’s why Texas’ jewel of the 2015 recruiting class, Malik Jefferson, is the answer. At 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, Jefferson is a freaky blend of size and athleticism with the perfect frame to project as a pass-rushing outside linebacker on the next level. He’s fast, powerful and, more importunity, has a coachable demeanor. Jefferson also has room to add to his already imposing frame, a process he’s already started since arriving on campus in January. Baring a major injury setback, Jefferson has everything an NFL team would want. There are no guarantees, but it would not be a shock to see Jefferson go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.