Tag: Mel Kiper

Mel Kiper Jr’s latest ESPN NFL Draft Big Board reveals his top QB

Who’s the top QB in this draft?

This is always a good reminder that the best players available in an NFL Draft aren’t always the quarterbacks.

But because NFL teams need a quarterback to build around, they sometimes reach. And that means the best players on paper might drop. In the latest NFL mock from our Christian D’Andrea, QBs Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders go Nos. 1 and 2.

But on Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN NFL Draft Big Board, he’s got Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Mason Graham ahead of the two big-name quarterbacks. And who’s the top QB? That would be Sanders (No. 4) over Ward (No. 5). Here’s his take on the Colorado QB:

You won’t find a tougher or more resilient quarterback prospect than Sanders, who took 99 sacks over the past two seasons but still put up really strong numbers. I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right. He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.

Intriguing! Make sure to check out D’Andrea’s latest mock draft.

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Mel Kiper’s first 2025 NFL mock draft is a dream scenario for Broncos

Mel Kiper’s first 2025 NFL mock draft has the Broncos picking RB Ashton Jeanty at No. 20.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper has released his first 2025 NFL mock draft (subscription required) and it’s a dream scenario for the Denver Broncos.

Kiper’s early prediction has the Broncos selecting Boise State star running back Ashton Jeanty with the 20th overall pick in the first round. The best RB in the class, Jeanty would be an amazing pick for Denver after he rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last fall.

With Javonte Williams scheduled to become a free agent in March, the Broncos are expected to address the running back position this spring.

Of note, Kiper has Penn State tight end Tyler Warren — a popular prospect among Broncos fans — going to the Indianapolis Colts at No. 14 overall. Right after Denver’s pick, Kiper has the Pittsburgh Steelers selecting Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at No. 21.

After that, the Los Angeles Chargers land Michigan tight end Colston Loveland at pick No. 22. Warren, Jeanty, Egbuka and Loveland will be popular mock draft picks for the Broncos in the coming months.

In his first mock draft last year, Kiper had Denver selecting UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu. The Broncos instead chose Oregon quarterback Bo Nix at No. 12 and Latu landed with the Colts at No. 15 in 2024.

The 2025 NFL draft will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26. Denver holds seven picks, including selections in the first four rounds.

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Mel Kiper’s first mock gives Lions much-needed pass rush help

Mel Kiper’s first 2025 NFL mock draft gives Lions much-needed pass rush help

The original draft analyst is back in action with his first mock draft of the season. The great Mel Kiper of ESPN is on the board after his first set of first-round projections dropped Wednesday. He gives the Lions much-needed pass-rush help with the 28th pick of the first round.

With the 28th pick, the Lions select James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee.

“Even with Aidan Hutchinson (leg) back in the picture next season, Detroit can’t let this Super Bowl window slip away because the pass rush doesn’t have enough juice,” wrote Kiper. “The Lions’ 37 sacks tied for 23rd in the NFL this season. They were also 25th in pass rush win rate at 35.4%. Injuries wore down the defense, but there weren’t enough playmakers there to begin with, even after the midseason trade for Za’Darius Smith.

“Pearce still needs to build out his 6-foot-5 frame, but his speed could make a difference in Detroit. He mixes up pass-rush moves and gets home to the QB, with 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons.”

Hutchinson, in only five games, recorded 7.5 sacks last season. He was the only Lion to have at least five sacks. Za’Darius Smith had four sacks in eight games, but his presence wasn’t always there. The Lions need more help getting to the quarterback, especially in a division with Jordan Love, whoever the Vikings run at quarterback with Kevin O’Connell as head coach and Caleb Williams, who now has Ben Johnson as his head coach.

Pearce and his 19 career college sacks, including 17.5 over the last two seasons, would be a welcomed addition to the Lions’ defense and whoever will be calling the shots on defense in 2025, with Aaron Glenn likely headed to the Jets.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper mocks PFF’s ‘perfect 2025 draft prospect’ to Cowboys

If the Cowboys go offense with their first pick, Luther Burden seems to make a lot of sense according to the experts.

It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys’ offense took a turn for the worse in 2024. With both QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb stuck in negotiations all offseason, the passing game was not firing on all cylinders to start the year. WR Brandin Cooks struggled through the start of the season dealing with a knee injury, and with third-year WR Jalen Tolbert failing to step up, things never gelled before Prescott was lost for the year with a hamstring injury.

Cooks is now a free agent, and the offense will look a lot different with head coach Mike McCarthy not returning. The Cowboys will need some help to augment their passing game, and based on picking No. 12, wideout is going to be a position often assigned to them in mock drafts.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper feels similarly. In his first mock exercise of 2025, he wedded Dallas to Missouri WR Luther Burden III.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Yes, it’s a mock draft without Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty going to Dallas! I think it’s possible the Cowboys will take Jeanty, and there’s no arguing that they need a boost to the run game. But I imagine they’d first try to fix that hole in free agency. And regardless, this team has to find playmakers all over, period.

Putting Burden’s valuable after-the-catch ability opposite CeeDee Lamb would open things up for Dak Prescott. Dallas has been looking for a reliable one-two receiver punch in the offense for a while; it hasn’t had two WRs over 700 receiving yards since 2021, when Amari Cooper was still in town. Burden has the explosive traits to change that.

Kiper isn’t the only one who feels strongly about the pairing. On Thursday, Pro Football Focus went to work identifying the perfect 2024 draft prospect for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. Burden was the match for Dallas there as well.

The Cowboys definitively have needs along their defensive roster, but Jerry Jones is as concerned with the Cowboys brand as much as he is winning and wants that brand to be exciting and on our television screens as much as possible, so adding an explosive offensive weapon to pair with CeeDee Lamb would do just that.

While CeeDee Lamb played about half of his snaps out wide and half in the slot, Burden has played over 80% of his snaps out of the slot over the past two seasons. Burden is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can be used on jet sweeps and screens to quickly get the ball to him and allow him to use his incredible acceleration to generate big plays. Burden has 25 touchdowns over the last three seasons, including four rushing touchdowns.

 

Mel Kiper’s first mock draft has a Wildcat going in the first round

Mel Kiper has one Kentucky Wildcat going in round one of his mock draft.

Draft season is upon us, as marked by the first edition of ESPN expert Mel Kiper’s NFL Mock Draft (subscription required).

Kiper’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 has Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston going in the first round to the Buffalo Bills.

“Hairston is a pro-ready prospect,” Kiper said. “His awareness, burst to the ball and route-recognition skills are top-notch. Hairston was a little banged-up this season, as a shoulder injury limited him to seven games and one interception. But he had five picks the previous year, showing his ball skills.”

Hairston is standout junior cornerback for the Wildcats, as he logged 15 solo tackles, 2 forced fumbles and an interception in 2024. He spent all three years with the Wildcats, and now could head to Buffalo with the 30th overall pick in this spring’s NFL draft.

Related: Kentucky offers a pair of Florida teammates

The 6’1″ corner goes to the Bills, who could need a cornerback with standout Rasul Douglas set to be a free agent and first round pick Kaiir Elam failing to make a consistent impact.

“Drafting another receiver should be considered, and the defensive line could use reinforcements. But the cornerback spot jumps out,” Kiper said. “Buffalo allowed opponent quarterbacks to complete 68.5% of their passes, 28th in the league, and Rasul Douglas is on an expiring deal.”

Titans select Cam Ward in Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft

The Tennessee Titans are slated to select 1st in the 2025 NFL draft and Mel Kiper sees them addressing their offense with that pick.

The Tennessee Titans have a new general manager in Mike Borgonzi and on Wednesday the team gave away some of their insight into what they intend to do with their No. 1 overall selection in the 2025 NFL draft.

While they didn’t mention any type of specifics, they did allude to a desire to take a generational talent if one is available. Unfortunately, scouts differ on opinions on the prospects so far, and the closest player to that description is likely Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter. 

Does that mean that he will be the choice? Only time will tell, and there are still many moving parts that will shape the 2025 NFL draft that have not taken place.  

That doesn’t stop outside prognosticators or draft gurus from laying out their plans for the Titans. The latest is ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper, who recently released his first mock draft and has the Titans making at least part of the fanbase happy.

  1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami

I was a fan of Will Levis when the Titans took him early on Day 2 in 2023, and there’s still a chance he puts it all together. But he hasn’t played nearly well enough to keep the job in Tennessee. The Titans had the NFL’s second-worst QBR (37.3) and interception total (21) this season as they bounced between Levis and Mason Rudolph.

I’m sure new general manager Mike Borgonzi will listen to trade offers here, but his real decision should come down to Ward vs. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. I actually have Sanders ranked one spot ahead of Ward on my Big Board (No. 4 overall). Ward has the early top-pick buzz around the league, though, so that’s where I’m leaning for now. He extends plays with his creativity, mobility and strong arm. Ward led the nation with 39 touchdown passes this season, and he’d help put the Titans back on track.

There is no doubt that Ward is one of the top prospects in this draft. He has a strong arm with the ability to make all of the throws and enough athleticism to make plays off-script. He really has all of the tools needed to be the face of the franchise. The only real questions are system fit and organizational priorities. 

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Mel Kiper projects blue chip player to land with Browns in NFL draft

In a world without drafting a QB, this would be the best case scenario

Could the Cleveland Browns leave the 2025 NFL draft with Colorado star Travis Hunter?

Longtime ESPN and college football analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his first mock draft of the 2025 NFL draft season. In the mock, he has the Browns selecting the reigning Heisman winner.

The Colorado star made his mark in the college football world with his incredible playmaking ability on offense and defense. As a wide receiver, he recorded an impressive 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, he posted an elite 90.9 coverage grade, which ranked third among all NCAA cornerbacks.

This earned him enough national respect to be crowned as the NCAA’s most recent Heisman winner—the first defensive player to win the award since Michigan’s Charles Woodson in 1997. The only question lingering is whether this elite talent will transition well into the NFL.

With the second overall pick, the Browns are in a prime position to acquire an elite playmaker who can make both an immediate and long-term impact. While there is an obvious need at the quarterback position, the Browns are expected to address this through free agency if possible.

A veteran quarterback signing would almost guarantee that the Browns focus on selecting an elite playmaker elsewhere. If that’s the scenario heading into the 2025 NFL draft, Travis Hunter will undoubtedly be at the top of their shortlist.

Mel Kiper gives Vikings secondary help in first mock draft of 2025

On Wednesday, Mel Kiper Jr. posted his first mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle and he provided some extra help to the Vikings secondary.

The Minnesota Vikings are expected to address the secondary this offseason for multiple reasons. Outside of the the position groups under performing at times, they also have three key free agents at safety and cornerback.

On Wednesday, Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN posted his first mock draft of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle and he provided some extra help to the Vikings secondary.

Kiper Jr. gave the Vikings Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison with the 24th overall pick in his mock draft. Kiper explains the pick citing, “Minnesota has big-time cornerback questions.  . .even though the Vikings led the NFL in interceptions by quite a bit (24, five more than second best), they might have to restock their CB room in the draft.”

Kiper also explains that Morrison played in just three games in 2024 for the Fightin’ Irish after suffering a season ending hip injury. Drafting a cornerback in the first round coming off a hip injury seems a bit dicey for the Vikings front office that has struck out on several top picks in the secondary.

The 2025 NFL Draft will be vital tot he Vikings success in 2025 and with just five picks in the draft every one of them will have increased value. Drafting a cornerback coming off a significant injury to the lower body may be too risky given their current situation.

Mel Kiper puts one Oregon Duck in first round of latest 2025 NFL mock draft

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. sees Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly as a first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Rams.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper is at it again.

The college football offseason is upon us and it’s the time where Kiper begins to put out his multiple mock NFL drafts.

In his first mock draft that ESPN has published, Kiper sees Oregon’s Josh Conerly going as a late first rounder to the Los Angeles Rams. According to the draft expert, the Rams are going to need Conerly in order to protect their aging quarterback, Matt Stafford.

All signs point to Matthew Stafford returning to the Rams next season and still playing at a high level. But he’s also going to be 37 when training camp starts. Retirement isn’t out of the question, and even if he does come back, Los Angeles would be smart to start making future plans …I’m instead trying to help the Rams keep Stafford protected. Conerly has fantastic movement traits and maintains a clean pocket for his quarterback. He gave up just two sacks over three seasons in Eugene. He started two of those seasons and has been a consistent blindside wall. — Mel Kiper, ESPN

To whatever team Conerly goes to, they’re going to receive one of the top offensive linemen in the country. Oregon wanted to possibly keep Conerly for his senior season, but the call to the NFL was just too great to pass up for the big 6-foot-4, 315-pounder from Seattle.

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Saints replace Marshon Lattimore in Mel Kiper’s first 2025 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints replaced Marshon Lattimore in Mel Kiper’s first 2025 mock draft by picking Michigan star cornerback Will Johnson:

The New Orleans Saints have put themselves in a position to where they can’t be too picky in the 2025 NFL draft — this team needs talent ejections at almost every position. Maybe that means drafting a left guard in the first round, or a running back, or a cornerback. After trading Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, that last spot looks at least a little less steady.

So who could fit that team need? ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has them taking Michigan Wolverines cornerback Will Johnson at ninth overall. Here’s why:

Johnson — who reads the QB incredibly well and has the quickness to finish plays with takeaways — could be the Marshon Lattimore replacement in New Orleans. Johnson had nine interceptions over his career at Michigan. The Saints seemingly always find their way out of their salary cap issues, but they are projected to be $70.6 million over the cap in 2025, per Roster Management System. They have to find Day 1 starters in the draft, and Johnson would fill a big hole. New Orleans allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt this season, ranking 23rd in the league.

Johnson is a blue-chip prospect in this year’s draft. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, rare size even by NFL standards, with strong ball skills. Just 18 players in all of college football have as many interceptions since 2022, and of the group Johnson ranks third in return yards (237).

Alontae Taylor regressed in 2024, and Paulson Adebo is a free agent they may not be able to afford. There’s a lot of optimism surrounding Kool-Aid McKinstry but you need three corners to compete in today’s game, and that’s a lot of pressure to put on the second-year pro.

So someone like Johnson could make sense. He seemed like a lock to be a top-five pick in the 2025 draft before a toe injury limited him to just six games last season. Still, he’s an impressive talent with just two touchdown catches allowed on more than 800 snaps in coverage in his Wolverines career. It wouldn’t be tough for the Saints to justify this pick.

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