Second high profile mock draft sends Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

The latest NFL Mock Draft from ESPN’s Jordan Reid sends the Minnesota Vikings 2 Michigan Wolverines in QB J.J. McCarthy and DT Kris Jenkins.

The quarterback position has been a very popular selection for the Minnesota Vikings. In fact, the position has been mocked to the Vikings 62 times across 236 collected mock drafts through Sunday, March 3rd.

On Tuesday morning, we saw two major industry mock drafts released where the Vikings selected Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy: first from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and this one from ESPN’s Jordan Reid.

We obviously don’t know if free agent Kirk Cousins will return to Minnesota, but McCarthy fits coach Kevin O’Connell’s scheme so well. Yes, the passing sample size is limited — he only hit 25 or more passing attempts in 12 of 28 career starts — and his combine workout was inconsistent, but his efficiency at Michigan is noteworthy (72.3% completion rate). The infrastructure in Minnesota — with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson catching passes — is set up well for a young signal-caller to grow, too.

It didn’t stop there for Reid, as he has the Vikings double dipping with the Maize and Blue in selecting Michigan DT Kris Jenkins at 42nd overall.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has leaned on explosiveness in defensive prospects since taking over as Minnesota’s GM. Jenkins has those traits — he posted a 30-inch vertical at 299 pounds — and the Vikings’ defensive line could be headed for some turnover.

This would be a really impressive two-round haul for the Vikings. Getting the quarterback of the future paired with a high-upside defensive tackle is a great start to keeping this team on the right track.

[lawrence-related id=91529,91524,91500,91494,91522,91516,91505,91498,91495,91492]

Three Alabama football players could be top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL draft

ESPN 2024 NFL mock draft features three former Alabama players in the top ten

Even though we haven’t taken a snap in the 2023 college football season, it is never too early to get excited about the NFL draft. Part of the fun is following the players that we expect to be high-end picks like Caleb Williams of USC and Marvin Harrison Jr. of Ohio State to dominate. We also get to see the guys who come out of nowhere to have a massive season and improve their draft stock.

Looking ahead, the 2024 NFL Draft is already receiving a lot of buzz as one of the stronger in recent memory. Under the guidance of head coach Nick Saban, the Alabama Crimson Tide has dominated the first round of the NFL draft with 44 selections, so it should be no surprise to see them dominating this draft as well. This past season, they had three first-round picks, in Bryce Young, Will Anderson and Jahmyr Gibbs with Young and Anderson both going in the top three.

Surely there will be other Alabama players who play themselves into a first-round draft grade, but as we currently stand, JC Latham Kool-Aid McKinstry and Dallas Turner are the only three receiving that projection. Jordan Reid of ESPN currently projects that all three of the Alabama players will go top 10 in his most recent 2024 NFL mock draft. (Subscription required)

Reid’s first projection is that the Titans will take Latham No. 6 overall. Tennessee has had a solid offensive line over the past few years and head coach Mike Vrabel is excellent, it would be a great landing spot for Latham. Reid says of the pick, “Latham is a strong and physical presence… He is a bruiser in the run game and surprisingly nimble for 6-5, 330-pound blocker, but he must reduce the 11 penalties he took in 2022.”

Next, the Las Vegas Raiders, who have grown to love Alabama talent, select Kool-Aid McKinstry as No. 9 overall. McKinstry is widely regarded as the best corner in college football with no clear No. 2. Reid says of the Raiders pick, “McKinstry is one of the most talented defensive players in the country and all of the physical attributes of a CB1… He stands out in man coverage, but he’s also a savvy zone defender with the ability to quickly read and react.”

With the very next pick, the Chicago Bears select Dallas Turner No. 10 overall. Turner has all of the traits to be a top-five pick and receive the same hype that Will Anderson did this draft. Reid is a fan of the pick saying, “Turner is raw and hasn’t quite figured out how to consistently string pass-rush moves together, but at 6-4, 240 pounds, he has impressive physical traits. He enters the 2023 season as the key part of the Alabama defensive front after recording 35 pressures and four sacks last season.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

[lawrence-auto-related count=1]

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

How ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage could look after Todd McShay’s layoff

ESPN will have a massive gap in its NFL Draft coverage with Todd McShay gone. Who will fill his shoes?

NFL Draft fans saw a jarring shift in ESPN’s coverage on Friday as longtime draft analyst Todd McShay was laid off amid a series of staffing cuts at the network.

The New York Post‘s Andrew Marchand shared the news on Friday of McShay’s departure.

McShay had been with ESPN since 2006 and been primarily associated with the network’s NFL Draft coverage alongside Mel Kiper Jr.

His layoff puts the network’s NFL Draft coverage in a different space, as new faces could ascend to a more prominent role during the year and especially on draft weekend.

While McShay will be a popular free agent for other sports media companies looking for one of the sharpest minds in the business on the NFL Draft, it’s worth wondering how things will look at ESPN in his absence.

Kiper will most likely continue his role with ESPN until he decides to retire, while a few other names will likely take on expanded roles.

You can likely count on seeing ESPN guys like Mike Greenberg, Booger McFarland and Rece Davis during draft weekend, but who will you hear from year-round?

These three people figure to have expanded roles at the network on broadcast and online.

Breaking down Chargers’ picks in ESPN’s latest 7-round mock draft

ESPN’s Jordan Reid nails the Chargers’ selections in his latest seven-round projections.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid released his new seven-round mock draft on Tuesday.

The highly-touted draft analyst kicks off the Chargers’ draft with the selection of former Texas running back Bijan Robinson.

I’ve said this before, but I do not advocate taking a running back in the first round. But if it’s Robinson, an exceptional talent, you can’t pass up on him. Los Angeles could be entering the draft without a No. 1 running back if Austin Ekeler is traded.

But even if Ekeler is still on the roster, Los Angeles has shown they have struggled to develop running backs taken on Day 3 of the draft. With Robinson, he would step in from Day 1 and boost the Bolts’ rushing attack and passing game.

Here is what Reid said about the pairing:

With Austin Ekeler requesting a trade, the backfield options for the Chargers could be slim. If you leave out positional value, Robinson is a top-five prospect in this class. The Chargers could take the best player available and add him to an offense that now has an exciting young rusher behind quarterback Justin Herbert.

In the following round, L.A. finds their tight end of the future in Oregon State’s Luke Musgrave.

Musgrave missed most of the 2022 season with an injury, but in the two-game stretch when he was on the field, though, he caught 11 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Then, Musgrave returned and raised eyebrows at the Senior Bowl and combine.

While his blocking is a work in progress, Musgrave has the hands and overall receiving ability to be a mismatch in the passing game from Day 1. At 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds, Musgrave is well built, long, and has the athleticism and speed to separate consistently.

Then, to close out Day 2, Reid pegs USC edge defender Tuli Tuipolotu to the Bolts.

The Chargers need more players capable of disrupting opposing quarterbacks behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Tuipolutu, the 6-foot-3 and 266-pounder, has shown plenty to fit that billing, having logged 42 pressures and 13.5 sacks last season.

To open up Day 3, Reid sends Minnesota cornerback Terrell Smith to Los Angeles. J.C. Jackson is still recovering from his patellar tendon rupture that ended his season. Therefore, depth at the position is needed.

Smith possesses a great size and speed profile, standing at 6 feet and 204 pounds with a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash. He’s experienced in all coverages and is a reliable tackler in the open field.

The Chargers finally address the wide receiver position in Round 5 by selecting Michigan’s Ronnie Bell.

Given the need for speed, Bell doesn’t necessarily fit the billing, as he is not the fastest on the field, evident from a 4.51 40. Instead, his game is predicated on good route running, a big catch radius and strong hands.

In Round 6, Los Angeles selects Stephen F. Austin’s B.J. Thompson to further add depth to the EDGE group.

Thompson ran a 4.56 40, recorded an 11’3″ broad jump with a 40-inch vertical last offseason, and the freakish athleticism is evident on the field. Thompson wins with first-step explosiveness, speed, a few counters, bend, and his 82.5-inch wingspan.

To close out his seven-round projections, Reid adds depth along the offensive line with Shepherd’s Joey Fisher.

Fisher was an All-American at the Division II level, starting three seasons for the Rams. For his efforts, Fisher played at the NFLPA Bowl and was then called up to the Senior Bowl.

He will likely kick inside to guard after primarily playing tackle due to a lack of ideal measurements. But still, Fisher has superior athleticism, foot quickness, and lateral agility to contribute at the next level.

Seahawks hit all the right notes in Jordan Reid’s 7-round 2023 mock draft

Here is who Reid mocked to the Seahawks with all 10 picks.

Jordan Reid at ESPN has released a complete seven-round mock for the 2023 NFL draft. We can’t speak for any of the 31 other teams. However, when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks and their needs going into the draft, Reid hit all the right notes. Heavy on defensive linemen, Reid’s mock gives Seattle major upgrades at all of the key positions where they need it most up front as well as some added depth at wide receiver and running back. It’s a rare thing, but we have exactly zero notes.

Here is who Reid mocked to the Seahawks with all 10 picks.

Where Badgers landed in Jordan Reid’s seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft

See where ESPN’s Jordan Reid placed three former Wisconsin players in his 2023 NFL mock draft:

On Tuesday morning, ESPN NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid released his seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft. Three former Wisconsin players were drafted in Reid’s mock draft including outside linebacker Nick Herbig, defensive tackle Keeanu Benton and interior offensive lineman Joe Tippmann.

Related: Watch: Badgers host 2023 pro day

Even though Nick Herbig’s size has been a concern for potential suitors, the Big Ten’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss last season could be a potential bargain for the team that drafts him. Benton and Tippmann have impressed so far in the pre-draft process and have seen their stock significantly rise from the end of the season.

It is exciting to see that Badgers are projected to go high in this year’s draft with both Tippmann and Benton predicted to go in the second and third rounds of the draft by several analysts.

Look below to see where ESPN’s Jordan Reid placed these three former Wisconsin players in his 2023 NFL mock draft:

ESPN’s Jordan Reid sends Vikings a CB in his first mock draft

Secondary help is going to be a popular choice for the Vikings

Now that it’s January, mock drafts will be coming fast and furious and we can’t wait to bring it all to you as April’s draft gets closer and closer.

The latest one comes from Minnesota Vikings expert and current ESPN analyst Jordan Reid. He knows this team better than just about anyone in the NFL draft community and Reid showed it by sending the Vikings South Carolina cornerback Cam Smith.

Here is what Reid had to say about the talented Gamecock.

“General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah showed in his first draft in Minnesota that he values initial quickness, and after the Vikings struggled mightily in pass defense this season (7.8 yards allowed per attempt, 31st in the NFL), they will be seeking defensive backs who show good burst and can make plays on the ball. Smith checks those boxes and has experience in the slot and on the outside. He has four picks and 17 pass breakups over the past two seasons, too. Patrick Peterson and Chandon Sullivan are on expiring deals, and Cameron Dantzler Sr. will be entering the final year of his contract in 2023, so cornerback depth will be a spot to watch.”

Having that type of versatility would serve the Vikings really well as they continue to rebuild their secondary.

ESPN has two Notre Dame players predicted to be 1st round NFL Draft selections

You know which two but where do they land?

Ahead of the season starting ESPN wanted to get one more mock draft out there, this one by Jordan Reid. Plenty will change between now and when players are actually selected, so it is interesting to see who stays as one of the best options, who falls and who rises. For Notre Dame, they seem to have at least two sure-fire draft eligible first-round selections. Find out where they were projected to go and with which pick.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

ESPN draft analyst likens Simpson to rising NFL star

An ESPN NFL Draft Analyst took to Twitter this week with an NFL comparison for Clemson junior linebacker Trenton Simpson, who is widely considered a top prospect for next year’s draft. ESPN’s Jordan Reid likened Simpson to a rising NFL star in …

An ESPN NFL Draft Analyst took to Twitter this week with an NFL comparison for Clemson junior linebacker Trenton Simpson, who is widely considered a top prospect for next year’s draft.

ESPN’s Jordan Reid likened Simpson to a rising NFL star in former Notre Dame and current Cleveland Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who was drafted by the Browns in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Reid wrote on Twitter that Simpson is “cut from a similar cloth” to Owusu-Koramoah, but noted that the 6-foot-3, 230-pound Simpson is bigger than the 6-foot-2, 221-pound Owusu-Koramoah.

Owusu-Koramoah played in 27 games with 142 tackles, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception at Notre Dame from 2018-20. He was named named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, and won the Butkus Award and was a unanimous All-America selection that season, after registering 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception in 12 games.

Owusu-Koramoah played like a budding star as a rookie with the Browns last season, posted 76 total tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, four passes defended and two forced fumbles in 14 games.

Simpson, meanwhile, enters his junior season at Clemson in 2022 credited with 110 tackles (18.5 for loss), 10.0 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble over 25 games (15 starts).

Last season, the former five-star prospect from Mallard Creek High School (Charlotte, N.C.) ranked third on the team with 78 tackles and finished second in both tackles for loss (12.0) and sacks (6.0) while also adding three pass breakups in 13 games (12 starts). He earned all-conference selections from PFF (second team) and Phil Steele (third team).

Simpson was recently ranked as the No. 25 overall prospect in next year’s draft class on ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. 2023 Big Board (subscription required), while he was ranked as the No. 8 prospect for the 2023 NFL Draft by CBS Sports this week.

Simpson was named a second-team preseason All-American by Phil Steele Magazine this week.

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.

ESPN analyst believes Booth could be a ‘massive steal’ for Vikings

ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid believes the best value pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft came when the Minnesota Vikings selected former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. with the 42nd overall pick. Reid wrote in an ESPN+ article …

ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Jordan Reid believes the best value pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft came when the Minnesota Vikings selected former Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. with the 42nd overall pick.

Reid wrote in an ESPN+ article (subscription required) this week that he thinks Booth could be a “massive steal” for the Vikings and that the pick could pay major dividends for the franchise in the future.

“Andrew Booth Jr. was my No. 3 cornerback in this class,” Reid wrote. “The Vikings getting him with the No. 42 pick has a chance to be a massive steal. Heading into the pre-draft process, the former Clemson standout was seen as a potential top-20 pick. After suffering a quad strain during the days leading up to the NFL combine and having sports hernia surgery for the second time in April, there were questions about his long-term durability. The Vikings showed to be confident in his long-term outlook, and it could pay off for them in a big way down the road.”

Booth recorded 39 tackles (3.0 for loss), five pass breakups and a team-high three interceptions in 11 games (all starts) last season en route to first-team All-ACC honors.

The Dacula, Ga., native finished his three-year career with the Tigers (2019-21) with 75 tackles (5.5 for loss), 10 pass breakups, five interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery (which he returned 21 yards for a touchdown) over 35 career games (15 starts).

Congratulations! You did it! You graduated! Now is the time to preserve your diploma in a custom frame. Here at Clemson Variety & Frame, we build all our frames in-house – from the frame to the mats and etchings to the installation – to guarantee the quality. You worked hard for your degree. Trust us to show your diploma in the best light possible.