Tag: ESPN mock draft

49ers have clear agenda in latest ESPN 2025 NFL mock draft

In ESPN’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft, the 49ers have a clear agenda of what they want to improve.

In the latest 2025 NFL mock draft for ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers have a clear direction in which they want to head.

ESPN’s Matt Miller shared his latest two-round mock draft following the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl all-star events. It has the 49ers looking to the trenches for help.

In Miller’s two-round mock, the 49ers select Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons at No. 11 overall and then North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel in the second round with pick No. 43.

San Francisco would have to weigh injury concerns with Simmons. The 6-foot-5, 310 pound offensive tackle had a season-ending knee surgery that ended his 2024 college football season.

Despite the injury, Simmons is currently ranked as ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper’s No. 3 offensive tackle in this draft class.

Christian McCaffrey‘s injury issues were the headline for the 49ers’ offensive woes this season, yet their offensive line was a mess and will be a priority fix for general manager John Lynch. The 49ers made a great selection on guard Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 draft, but a plug-and-play right tackle who could eventually take over for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be the next step. – Miller, ESPN.

The 49ers bolstering their offensive tackle group with their first selection and perhaps finding Williams’ eventual successor at left tackle has been a common idea among draft analysts.

Doubling down up front hasn’t necessarily been as common, though. Miller came away impressed with what he saw from former NDSU offensive lineman Zabel at the Senior Bowl.

Zabel played left tackle for North Dakota State as he helped guide the Bison to an FCS national championship this past season. The 6-foot-6, 316 pound offensive lineman has played all over though throughout his collegiate career.

Zabel appeared in 62 games with NDSU during his college career and also made starts at left guard, right guard and right tackle.

During the Senior Bowl, Zabel got in a drive at center as well. The center position is where Miller sees Zabel slotting in for the 49ers.

The 49ers could address the offensive line again to try to further fix that problem unit. Zabel has played tackle, guard and center, but I think he fits best inside, where his toughness and awareness could make him a star. He turned heads during Senior Bowl practices. – Miller, ESPN.

Zabel’s positional versatility would certainly be a welcome sight for San Francisco.

Zabel was named the Senior Bowl Overall Practice Player of the Week in a poll by 32 NFL executives for his performances in Mobile, Ala.

Addressing its offensive line to create running lanes for star running back Christian McCaffrey and to help keep quarterback Brock Purdy clean is a draft avenue that most 49ers fans could support.

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Chargers boost backfield, get play-making tight end in ESPN’s latest mock draft

The Chargers build around Justin Herbert in ESPN’s latest projections.

Building around Justin Herbert is imperative for the Chargers to return to the playoffs and make a deeper run next season.

In ESPN’s Matt Miller’s latest two-round mock draft, that’s what he envisions Los Angeles doing.

With their first-round pick, L.A. selects Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

Chargers fans should rejoice if Jeanty — who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior — is the pick, though. He is the ideal replacement for free agent J.K. Dobbins with his power, contact balance and ability to run away from defenses. Jeanty didn’t add a ton in the passing game in 2024 (23 catches), but he is tailor-made for Jim Harbaugh’s downhill power scheme.

Jeanty falling to No. 22 overall would be a dream scenario for the Chargers, as he’s been commonly projected to go in the top 20. Should he be available, it would be a no-brainer for Los Angeles. Jeanty is an elite back that could be a game-changer from Day 1.

Jeanty was a Heisman finalist this year after his record-breaking season for the Broncos. He finished with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, with an average of seven yards per carry.

After bolstering the backfield in Round 1, the Bolts get Herbert a weapon in the passing game with LSU tight end Mason Taylor.

The Chargers should go heavy on offense to give quarterback Justin Herbert a better supporting cast. The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason Taylor had only six collegiate touchdowns but has the potential to be a major player in the red zone. He impressed at the Senior Bowl and can consistently win on option routes or post-up safeties with his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame.

Taylor is an athletic tight end at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds who can run a full route tree, is capable of running past linebackers, and is physical at the catch point as a receiver with strong hands. His blocking needs work, but he could play on passing downs early in his pro career.

Taylor finished as LSU’s career leader at tight end in receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,308).

Eagles add an All-American safety in ESPN’s early 2025 mock draft

Matt Miller released an early 2025 NFL mock draft for ESPN and the Philadelphia Eagles landed Georgia safety Malaki Starks in Round 1

The Eagles have a loaded squad with Super Bowl aspirations, but it’s never too early for a look ahead to the 2025 NFL draft.

Philadelphia reloaded in the secondary this past April, selecting Quinyon Mitchell (CB) and Cooper DeJean (CB) with their first two picks. ESPN’s Matt Miller just revealed his first mock draft for 2025, and he has the Eagles landing a game-changing defender out of Georgia.

28. Philadelphia Eagles
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Make your jokes about Philadelphia drafting a defender from Georgia, but Starks would fill a big hole for the 2025 Eagles. He was a consensus first-team All-American in 2023 after grabbing three interceptions and making 52 tackles. And Starks is a do-it-all safety who has experience playing press coverage in the slot. You’re going to hear comparisons to Kyle Hamilton, and they’re warranted given his three-down impact.

If Starks is the next Kyle Hamilton, Philadelphia will have decisions to make and elite depth at the position, with Reed Blankenship, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Sydney Brown already under contract.

Vic Fangio’s versatile defense could allow the Eagles to play three safeties, similar to the Ravens, allowing them to have their five or six best defensive backs on the field at one time.

5 Alabama stars named in the top-50 NFL draft prospects for 2024

The 2024 NFL draft is still a few months away, but five Alabama football standouts rank among the top 50 prospect.

Alabama football is known for high-quality recruiting, elite play on the field, winning championships, and sending players to the NFL. Though the 2024 draft is still a few months away, experts are projecting numerous Crimson Tide players to be top prospects.

According to Jordan Reid of ESPN, a total of five Alabama players rank among the top 50 prospects for the 2024 NFL draft (subscription required).

Next season, the Tide is expected to retain much of its offense, but will see the main defensive contributors depart for the the league.

Here’s where Reid ranked the Tide standouts among the other draft-eligible superstars and his reasoning.

Chargers take dynamic offensive player in ESPN’s latest mock draft

The Chargers select the two-time John Mackey Award winner.

ESPN’s Matt Miller revealed his latest mock draft on Wednesday, and with the Chargers selection at No. 10 overall, he has them picking Georgia tight end Brock Bowers.

Here is what Miller said about sending Bowers to Los Angeles:

Bowers is my No. 6 overall player, but I couldn’t find a value/need fit for him earlier than No. 10. Los Angeles wouldn’t complain. The Chargers could luck out and get an awesome middle-of-the-field target who has similarities to George Kittle as a route runner, pass-catcher and after-the-catch playmaker. Bowers has 26 receiving touchdowns in the past three seasons and would immediately give quarterback Justin Herbert a chain-mover.

With Gerald Everett set to be a free agent at the end of the season, the Bolts will be in the market for a starting tight end. Bowers would be a homerun pick as he’s not just the best tight end in this year’s class, but you could make the argument that he’s the best in previous classes, too.

Bowers, who is the only player to win the John Mackey Award twice, leads the Bulldogs with 56 catches for 714 yards and six touchdowns this season.

Along with his ability to be a mismatch for any defender in the passing game, Bowers is really good as a run blocker, which is something that the Chargers have struggled to get from their tight ends in recent seasons.

So not only could Bowers come in and quickly develop a rapport with Justin Herbert, but he could boost the run game and help in pass protection.

9 Georgia Bulldogs selected in ESPN’s 7-round NFL mock draft

Here’s where each Bulldog landed in ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft…

Georgia set a modern NFL draft record with 15 selections in last year’s draft.

Although the Bulldogs don’t have as big of a draft class this year, Georgia should be well represented in Kansas City.

ESPN’s latest NFL mock draft is full of Bulldogs: nine selections through seven rounds, including three in the first-round — all in the top 10.

Here’s a look at where each Bulldog landed, along with notes on top selections from ESPN’s Jordan Reid and position rankings from Draft Wire.

 

Texas RB Bijan Robinson projected to Buffalo in latest NFL Mock Draft

A potential trio of Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs and Bijan Robinson would be exciting to watch at the next level. 

Bijan Robinson is one of the most compelling prospects in the 2023 NFL draft. Continue reading “Texas RB Bijan Robinson projected to Buffalo in latest NFL Mock Draft”

ESPN NFL mock draft tabs Bijan Robinson as a top five pick

ESPN’s Todd McShay believes Bijan could hear his name called early in the first round. 

Bijan Robinson’s Texas career is likely over following a fantastic junior season. The Longhorn star proved himself as the best running back in the nation, taking home the Doak Walker Award, All-American honors and more.

Robinson is expected to shift his attention toward the upcoming NFL Draft. ESPN’s Todd McShay believes Bijan could hear his name called early in the first round.

McShay’s latest mock draft has Robinson going to the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 5 overall pick in the draft.

I know the “it’s too early for a running back” arguments are coming, and I agree 99% of the time. But why spend heavily on re-signing Sanders or bringing in another back in free agency when Robinson — who is an upgrade — is available here on a rookie deal? Robinson cruised to 1,580 yards and 18 TDs on the ground this season while breaking 91 tackles.

Robinson looks to be the first running back selected in the top five since the New York Giants picked Saquon Barkley in 2018.

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See where Johnny Davis goes in the latest ESPN mock draft

See where Johnny Davis lands in ESPN’s latest mock draft with the NBA draft less than a week away:

With the NBA draft less than a week away, ESPN writer Jonathan Givony released one of his final 2022 NBA mock drafts, which projects Jonathan Davis to go in the top 10 picks.

Related: Wisconsin basketball offers 2024 Center Raleigh Burgess

Similar to his earlier mock draft at the beginning of June, Givony projects the AP First-Team All-American to land at No. 10 with the Washington Wizards. Some may remember, that the Wizards were the first team to workout Davis earlier this month.

If Davis ends up landing with the Wizards, he wouldn’t be the first Badger to play there in recent years as former Wisconsin star Sam Dekker played for Washington in the 2018-19 season.

Commanders go offense in Mel Kiper’s final mock draft

Mel Kiper goes offense for the Commanders in his final mock draft.

Will the Washington Commanders go offense or defense in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft? Washington’s preference would likely be to move down in the first round, adding more selections in a draft that is considered strong in the middle rounds.

Who does ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. see the Commanders taking the first round of his final mock draft? He has Washington going offense with Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave.

If Washington wants to put Carson Wentz in a position to succeed, it could take Olave and pair him with another Ohio State receiver in Terry McLaurin. The Commanders’ defense has a lot of young talent, but the offense is lacking. Olave is great after the catch.

In Kiper’s final mock draft, Olave is the third wide receiver off the board, with Garrett Wilson going to No. 8 to the Falcons and Drake London landing with the New York Jets at No. 10.

If Kiper’s scenario played out, the Commanders would presumably decide between Olave and Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton.