Tag: Max Melton

NFL Mock Draft 2024: Which New York team is projected to take Rutgers football’s Max Melton?

Rutgers Max Melton is projected to be drafted by NY Jets in the third round, according to the latest mock draft from The Sporting News. 

Next week’s NFL draft will likely see Max Melton off the board by the end of Day 2. The Rutgers football defensive back is coming off a strong week of Senior Bowl practice as well as a sensational showing at the NFL combine.

Melton, a 5-foot-11, 197-pound cornerback, is being projected to the New York Jets in the third round with the Jets’ No. 72 overall pick, according to the latest mock draft from the Sporting News.

If the Jets draft Melton, the New Jersey native can stay home, adding depth to New York’s defensive secondary. In potentially adding Melton, the Jets can add a solid defensive back to compliment Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed.

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Since the NFL combine in March, Melton has quickly risen on NFL draft boards.

During his four seasons at Rutgers, Melton registered 113 total tackles, eight interceptions, 20 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries throughout four seasons. Melton finished the 2023 season as an All-Big Ten selection, starting 12 games for the Scarlet Knights.

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Melton’s draft stock rose when he ran a 4.39 time in the 40-yard dash and finished with impressive athletic measurements at the NFL combine.

 

Veterans like Flip Dixon believe that the Rutgers football defense can be even better this year

The Rutgers football defense, good last year, can be even better.

PISCATAWAY, N.J. — With most of their starters returning, the Rutgers football defense has the potential to take another step forward as a unit. One of those returning pieces is safety Flip Dixon, who had a strong first season with Rutgers in 2023.

An addition out of the transfer portal, Dixon had 76 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and five passes defended last year for Rutgers.

With a number of big pieces opting to return, the Rutgers defense is arguably the most experienced in the Big Ten. They were seventh in the Big Ten in scoring defense and sixth in yards allowed per game.

For Dixon, there is a belief that the unit can take a step forward in 2024 and be even better.

“I’m very excited. We got a lot of people coming back. Basically, the whole defense just about – so I’m very excited to see what we can do,” Dixon said on Thursday following practice.

“I know we will do better than last year, for sure.”

One of the pieces not returning for Rutgers is Max Melton.

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The defensive back, who had one year of eligibility remaining, opted to declare for the NFL draft. An All-Big Ten selection, Melton is appearing in mock drafts in the top half of the NFL draft and is popular as a second-round pick.

The loss of Melton will hurt the secondary, given that he was an elite cornerback in the Big Ten.

“I love Max. He’s a great player, phenomenal,” Dixon said.

“You know, he, he’d been here for well, he helped me get used to it here. And it was a great time with him.”

No group is more experienced than the safeties room, with Dixon and Des Igbinosun both returning as starters. For safeties coach Drew Lascari, this is quite the luxury to have.

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The safeties will be relied on this upcoming season for Rutgers as a foundational unit. With two players who are All-Big Ten caliber (Dixon was an All-Big Ten selection last season), this Rutgers defense has the potential to be a top-tier unit in the Big Ten.

“I think for us, the expectation of our room now is to take the next step and what is the next step?” Lascari said on Thursday.

“Well, that’s the next step with everything. Okay, we want to take the next step with our nutrition, with our rehab, with our recovery, with our sleep. And then on the field, our playbook.

“So, with two returning starters that we have a lot of faith in. We’re really excited about the next steps that we’re going to take as a group.”

The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar: Doug’s favorite underrated draft prospects

In this week’s Xs and Os, Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar discuss Ricky Pearsall, Malik Washington, Renardo Green, Max Melton, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, and Javon Bullard.

In this week’s episode of “The Xs and Os with Greg Cosell and Doug Farrar,” the guys get into six of Doug’s favorite underrated prospects in the 2024 NFL draft — players who most likely won’t hear their names called in the first round next Thursday night, but who all can provide serious value to their soon-to-be NFL teams. Two weeks ago, we focused on “Greg’s Guys” in that same regard. Now, here are Doug’s favorites.

Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall — Will Pearsall be able to maintain his gliding speed, route awareness and amazing catches into contact at the NFL level? We’re betting on “yes.”

Virginia receiver Malik Washington — Washington is a shorter (but not thin) player who can create explosive plays all over the field; a team like the Chiefs (for example) should be watching as much of his tape as possible right now.

Florida State cornerback Renardo Green — Green projects well as an outside cornerback despite a lack of desired size, but how will his NFL team deploy him?

Rutgers cornerback Max Melton — In Melton’s case, his NFL team will love his ability to match receivers all over the field, and they’ll likely see the necessary technique fixes as a worthy time investment.

Texas Tech safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson — More than any other safety in this class, Taylor-Demerson has field-scalding speed when in coverage. If he can tamp down the more rogue elements of his athleticism, he could be an easy Pro Bowler.

Georgia safety Javon Bullard — Over the last two seasons, Georgia asked Bullard to completely change his positional profile in ways most college defenders are not asked to do, and he did it all very well. That should make him an easy prospect for most NFL teams.

You can watch this week’s “X and Os” right here:

You can also listen and subscribe to the “Xs and Os” podcast on Spotify…

…and on Apple Podcasts. 

Unpacking Future Packers: No. 32, Rutgers CB Max Melton

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Rutgers CB Max Melton, the younger brother of Packers WR Bo Melton.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2024 NFL draft.

On paper, the Green Bay Packers appear to have a solid group of cornerbacks. Jaire Alexander is an all-pro caliber player. Carrington Valentine showed promise last season as a seventh-round rookie. Keisean Nixon is back to man the nickel position. If former first-round pick Eric Stokes can rediscover his rookie form the Packers could have a solid foundation in place.

There are obvious concerns with this group. Can Alexander and Stokes stay healthy? Will Valentine fall victim to a sophomore slump? With question marks surrounding the group, one would expect the Packers to add another body to bolster the cornerback room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

A cornerback that the Packers could target on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft is Max Melton. The Rutgers cornerback checks in at No. 32 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. 

Melton is a legacy at Rutgers. Max’s father Gary played football at Rutgers University and his mother played basketball. 

During his second season on campus, Melton recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and five pass deflections. In 2022, Melton recorded two tackles for loss, two interceptions and 10 pass deflections. This past season Melton recorded four tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions and six pass deflections.

“He was a veteran leader with plenty of experience under his belt (1,418 snaps in his first three seasons in college) and was arguably their most talented defensive player,” Brian Fonseca, a Rutgers beat writer for NJ Advance Media/The Star-Ledger, said. “He struggled to show that early in the year while dealing with a hand injury, but he really came on at the end of the season. Melton oozes confidence and that does transmit to the rest of his teammates.”

Melton is an outstanding athlete, with track speed. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Melton clocked a 4.39 40-yard dash and had a 2.56 20-yard split. He shows that burst if he’s beaten off the line of scrimmage.

“His speed and athleticism, which he proved by testing out really well at the combine,” Fonseca said. “He feels comfortable in press coverage because of his physical traits, and again, he has the confidence needed to take on elite talents in that setting.”

Melton is comfortable playing press or zone. In press, he has the fluidity, velvet feet and quickness to stay attached in pattern. In off-coverage, Melton shows good instincts and excellent route recognition. He has experience playing in the slot and on the boundary. 

Melton does a good job of reading the wide receivers’ eyes and bodies them up at the catch point. The Rutgers cornerback recorded eight interceptions and 21 pass deflections. 

“His knack for anticipating, which he showed with some of the interceptions he’s made in his career,” Fonseca said. “His ability to close the gap on any receiver who beats him with his initial move.”

Melton is a physical cornerback and is a willing participant against the run. He is looking to pop the ball carrier. 

During his career at Rutgers, Melton logged 455 snaps on special teams. He returned two punts and it’s a role that he could potentially take on full-time at the next level. 

Fit with the Packers

In a perfect world, the Packers would roll out Alexander with Stokes or Valentine starting opposite him with Nixon starting on the inside. 

Given the recent injury history of Stokes and Alexander that group may not be able to stick together for an entire season. On top of that Alexander, Nixon and Valentine are the only cornerbacks on the roster that are locked up beyond this season. Taking into account those two factors, Melton could be an ideal fit with his ability to play on the boundary or in the slot.

“The history of successful defensive backs that have come out of Rutgers under Greg Schiano is why I’d target Melton,” Fonseca said. “His vast experience playing meaningful football in a top conference. His freakish athleticism, which is complemented by his willingness to learn and grow as a player.”

Melton checks the boxes with his athleticism, inside-out versatility and toughness. The Packers have four picks on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, and Melton could be a target with one of those picks as the Packers look to add playmakers to the secondary. 

2024 NFL Draft: Rutgers CB Max Melton scouting report

Rutgers CB Max Melton may be under the radar as a starting NFL cornerback, but the tape shows a natural match defender with great athletic attributes.

Max Melton comes from an athletic family. His father Gary played wide receiver and running back at Rutgers from 1987-91, and his mother Vicky, competed on the Rutgers women’s basketball team from 1989-93. Melton’s older brother Bo also played for the Scarlet Knights, was selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, and caught 18 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns for the Green Bay Packers last season.

Max Melton might have the highest profile in his family when all is said and done. A receiving and rushing star at Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, Melton chose Rutgers as an obvious family proposition, and had his best of four collegiate seasons in 2023. Then, he allowed 24 catches on 44 targets for 252 yards, 72 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, three interceptions, three pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 65.7.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pund Melton is a bit under the radar as an outside cornerback in this class, but the tape shows an instinctive match defender with great athletic attributes.

PLUSES

— Natural match-and-carry cornerback in any scheme — zone/man, press/off.

— Will run foot-for-foot with any receiver; Melton has a frenetic playing style, but he’s able to keep it under control for the most part.

— Gave Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka all kinds of hassles vs. Ohio State.

— Smooth in his transitions and backpedal, and has excellent ball skills for deflections and interceptions.

— Can handle choice routes and other option concepts from the slot.

— 4.39 40-yard dash shows up on the field, as does the 40½” vertical jump and the 136″ broad jump (all high-percentile)

— Melton can get from Point A to Point B in a hurry, and he’s explosive to the ball when he gets there.

MINUSES

— Tackling is… well, a work in progress. He’s not going to get through blockers, and his tackling style is more pestering than truly bothersome.

— Doesn’t really have a concept of run fits.

— Recovery speed is nice, but he’ll give receivers too much of a cushion at times, which he doesn’t need to do.

— More of a man coverage expert; he’ll occasionally get a bit lost in zone.

Melton is a fascinating prospect. As a pass defender, he’s as sticky as anyone in this class. As a run defender, he doesn’t really look like he wants to be out there at all. I’m not sure how much his NFL coaches will be able to develop that killer instinct. I’m also not sure how much it matters, because his tape against the pass tells an important series of stories.

Giants land Malik Nabers, Max Melton in Field Yates’ 2-round mock

The New York Giants land a WR1 and a potential starting cornerback in the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Field Yates.

The New York Giants hope to fill needs with talent in the upcoming NFL draft later this month. In a new mock draft from ESPN NFL analyst Field Yates, they do just that.

Big Blue is in dire need of an offensive weapon/playmaker and a shutdown corner on defense to play across from Deonte Banks.

Yates mocks LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall in the first round.

The Giants’ wide receiver corps does not have a difference-maker at the moment, but that would all change with Nabers. He’s the most explosive player in the draft and a run-after-catch nightmare for defenses; he forced 27 missed tackles in 2023 during a breakout season. While the Giants appear open to considering a first-round quarterback, there are already four off the board here, so I think the team would turn its attention to upgrading around Daniel Jones.

In Round 2, at pick No. 47, the Giants go local by taking Rutgers cornerback Max Melton.

The Giants used a first-round pick on Deonte Banks last April but must continue to pad that cornerback depth. This pick would make for an easy commute for Melton, a New Jersey native who started four seasons at Rutgers. He has an excellent trigger back to the football and great ball skills (three interceptions in 2023).

These two picks will fill some immediate holes in the Giants’ roster. Nabers will be a Day 1 starter and hopefully an impact player from the beginning.

Melton, if not an instant starter, should be in the mix early as his only competition is Nick McCloud and Tre Hawkins III.

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Rutgers CB Max Melton, Monmouth QB Marquez McCray to visit Giants

The New York Giants will visit with Rutgers CB Max Melton and Monmouth QB Marquez McCray at their local pro day on Thursday.

The New York Giants will hold their local pro day on Thursday, April 4 and a few attendees have already been made known.

This past Friday, Monmouth quarterback Marquez McCray revealed on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was among those to receive an invite.

McCray transferred from Sacred Heart to Monmouth in 2023 and went on to have the best season of his career, completing 64.8 percent of his passes for 2,602 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six touchdowns.

“I am a winner. Winning is a QB stat. In my football career I have continued to grow and improve every year both on and off the field,” McCray recently told The Gridiron Crew. “My production each year since high school has improved on the field and I am just scratching the surface of how successful I can be. In every situation I have earned and made the most of the opportunities presented to me.”

In addition to McCray, Rutgers cornerback Max Melton will also visit the Giants at their local pro day, reports Art Stapleton of USA TODAY.

Melton put on a show in the Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, and the Giants and Jets are among the teams who have met with the 21-year-old from South Jersey. He told NorthJersey.com that he plans on attending the Giants’ local Pro Day in April, and that, in addition to Big Blue and the Jets, he has had visits with the Steelers, Buccaneers, Cowboys, 49ers and Bears, among others.

In 41 career games, Melton has recorded 111 tackles (81 solo, 8.5 for a loss), one forced fumble, one sack, 22 passes defensed, eight interceptions, and one defensive touchdown.

Melton also excels as a gunner, which the Giants undoubtedly love.

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Rutgers Football: Max Melton talks NFL draft and playing with his brother, Bo Melton

Rutgers football’s Max Melton talks about possibly playing against his brother next season.

With the NFL Draft only a month away, Max Melton is expected to draw the interest of teams across the league. The New Jersey native is coming off a productive four-year stint at Rutgers, where he recorded 110 tackles. Depending on where he is drafted, he may get the opportunity to face his brother Bo Melton, who is with the Green Bay Packers.

On Tuesday morning, Max Melton was on Good Morning Football, where he discussed playing with his brother at Rutgers and what it would be like to potentially play Bo Melton in the NFL. While on the show, Max Melton was asked whether he would want to play with his brother or against him at the next level.

“Against, definitely against,” Melton said.

“It’d be cool to get against my brother at practice. I have been going against my brother ever since we were little, even in high school and college. I’d like to go against him when the lights go on.”

Would @melton_max rather play WITH or AGAINST his @packers brother Bo Melton 👀 pic.twitter.com/ii6WcmRAHh

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 26, 2024

During his appearance on the show, Max Melton also reflected on scoring a touchdown in the same game as his brother while they both were at Rutgers.

“It was great, but I didn’t even know until after the game,” Melton said.

“When you’re in the line of war, you don’t really think about that stuff. I didn’t take until after the game when the media came up to me and said (that) you guys have a pretty good stat you might wanna know about.”

NFL.com mock draft: Former Rutgers football star Max Melton in the first round

Max Melton is moving on up NFL draft boards.

In the latest mock draft on NFL.com, Rutgers football defensive back Max Melton is coming off the board in the first round.

Melton, a multi-year starter at Rutgers, had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl and followed that up with an impressive NFL combine. He has shot up mock draft boards in recent weeks, with Chad Reuter’s mock draft for NFL.com representing the first time he has done off the board in the first round.

According to Reuter’s mock draft, Melton is taken No. 31 overall by the San Francisco 49ers.

Melton’s progression up draft boards started earlier this month at the combine where he ran a 4.39 time in the 40.

In 2023 as a senior, Melton had 32 total tackles and three interceptions. He posted six passes defended, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

In many ways, Melton was (and is) the epitome of Rutgers as a developmental program. A three-star recruit, he flipped to Rutgers following the hire of head coach [autotag]Greg Schiano[/autotag]. He became the first player to verbal in the class of 2020 upon the return of Schiano to Rutgers.

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Ranked the No. 22 player in New Jersey in the 2020 class, Melton developed in Schiano’s system and is now a likely top 50 pick in next month’s NFL draft.

He progressed and grew into a starting role at Rutgers, becoming a three-year starter with the program and an All-Big Ten selection. He played his senior season with a broken hand, underscoring his commitment to the program.

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He is the younger brother of former Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton, who is coming off a solid second season in the NFL.  A draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks, he is now with the Green Bay Packers.

For Rutgers news and information, follow Kristian Dyer on X @KristianRDyer