Tag: Mel Kiper mock draft

Mock draft watch: Mel Kiper’s latest sees 4 QBs in a row at the top

Kiper’s current projections go two rounds and feature five QBs in the first round

The latest mock draft from ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. is now out, and it’s one worth exploring. Kiper’s current projection sees quarterbacks being the first four picks in the draft.

It’s a theme that appears to be gaining some steam I explored that potential in the latest mock draft here last week, though my order of QBs was divergent. Kiper has Alabama’s Bryce Young at No. 1 to Carolina and C.J. Stroud from Ohio State going second overall to the Texans.

Kiper also elevates Tennessee OT Darnell Wright into the top 10 overall and makes the rising star the first offensive lineman off the board. Wright goes to Chicago at No. 9, one spot ahead of Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, who is typically the first offensive lineman projected. It’s an interesting wrinkle that could very well become reality.

There is a fifth first-round QB, too. Kiper projects the Seattle Seahawks to trade back into the bottom of the round and select Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker at No. 30. The trade costs Seattle two second-rounders, which the Philadelphia Eagles turn into Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 37 overall) and Auburn EDGE Derick Hall (No. 52).

Kiper’s draft extends out two rounds, culminating with the Chiefs taking Oklahoma WR Marvin Mims.

Christian Gonzalez lands with new team in Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft 3.0

Christian Gonzalez is once again projected to land inside the top 10 of the 2023 NFL Draft. This time, Kiper has him landing with a different team than most.

Based on where you look Oregon Ducks cornerback Christian Gonzalez has the potential to land with a number of different teams in the 2023 NFL Draft this April, all of them picking somewhere in the first round.

After his remarkable showing at the NFL Combine, and his impressive Pro Day in Eugene, Gonzalez has solidified himself as a first-round pick in the draft, and there’s a good chance that he finds himself being selected within the top 10 picks.

We’ve covered this extensively, going through mock draft round-ups every few weeks to get a sense of where Gonzalez is going to land. According to the latest mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Gonzalez will indeed go to someone in the top 10, but it’s a team that we haven’t seen him get selected by thus far in the mock draft cycle.

Kiper has the Las Vegas Raiders grabbing Gonzalez with the No. 8 pick in the draft.

In this scenario, the Raiders don’t get any of the top four quarterbacks, forcing them to go with the best prospect available. They added the solid-but-unspectacular Jimmy Garoppolo in free agency, so it’s not like they have a void under center as big as the Colts, Texans and Panthers do. They also have a veteran roster, and you could argue they should try to win now.

The player who can most help them win in 2023 is Gonzalez, who ran a blazing 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the combine, backing up what I saw on his 2022 tape. At 6-foot-1, he has outstanding ball skills and elite recovery speed. This is a clear need area for Las Vegas.

The early run on quarterbacks will certainly impact how early Gonzalez goes in the draft, but at this point, it is fair to assume that he will find his way into the top 10, and continue the streak for the Ducks.

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Mel Kiper Jr. tabs Georgia’s Jalen Carter as No. 1 overall pick

Jalen Carter goes No. 1 overall in Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft…

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has named Georgia star defensive lineman Jalen Carter as the No. 1 overall pick in his latest 2023 mock draft.

“Chicago’s roster needs help from top to bottom, but its defense was particularly dreadful in 2022, ranking last in the league in sacks (20) and points allowed per game (27.2). It has to be D all the way for wherever the Bears make their selection. Carter, an explosive interior pass-rusher and run-stuffer, gets the nod over Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. on my Big Board. He’s the best player in this draft, a Day 1 starter in the middle of this defense.”

The All-American tackle anchored Georgia’s defensive line in back-to-back title seasons in Athens.

Carter battled injuries in the 2022 season and missed two games, but still graded as the top Power Five defender in college football, according to Pro Football Focus.

Events will have to fall Carter’s way on draft day for him to gain the No. 1 pick honors.

Carter likely needs the Chicago Bears to keep the pick to become UGA’s second straight No. 1 selection following Travon Walker last year.

The Houston Texans hold the No. 2 pick where Kiper predicts Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud to be selected.

Kiper predicts the Arizona Cardinals to select Alabama defensive end Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 3 pick.

The 2023 NFL draft will be held on April 27-29 in Kansas City and will be aired on The NFL Network.

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You might be surprised by where Mel Kiper, Jr. has Justin Fields in his latest mock draft

You might be surprised where ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr. has Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields going in his latest NFL mock draft.

Almost every year we see a parade of former Ohio State players taken in the NFL draft. This year should be no different, but unlike other years, there may not be as many going in the first round as what we’ve been accustomed to. In fact, according to ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr., he expects just one Buckeye to go in the first 32 picks of his 2021 NFL mock draft.

We probably don’t have to tell you who that player is, but we will anyway. He may have fallen down the draft boards just a wee-bit, but Kiper believes quarterback Justin Fields will still go very, very early in the NFL Draft because — well, it is a quarterback league and Fields is one of the best on the board.

Where Kiper has Fields going might be a bit surprising though.

NEXT … Where Mel Kiper has Justin Fields being drafted

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Mel Kiper’s 1st mock draft has Ravens picking top WR in 2021 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens remedy their weakest position in Mel Kiper’s first mock draft, selecting LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr.

The Baltimore Ravens once again come into the offseason in need of help at wide receiver. Not only did Baltimore not have enough offensive firepower at times last season, leading to their early exit from the postseason, but the Ravens could also potentially lose Willie Snead in free agency. So with Mel Kiper’s first mock draft, the ESPN draft analyst took care of Baltimore’s biggest offseason need.

Kiper has the Ravens selecting LSU wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. with the No. 27 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. And Kiper’s explanation perfectly fits Baltimore’s woes.

The Ravens’ passing attack did not take a step forward in Lamar Jackson’s second full season as the starting quarterback. Marquise Brown was the only receiver who caught at least 35 passes, and even he was too inconsistent. Baltimore had the fewest passing attempts, passing yards and passing first downs in the league. Adding another top-tier wideout is how it can really take the offense to the next level. Marshall was coming on as LSU’s top wideout this season, and he had 10 touchdowns in seven games before he opted out of the season in November. He has some quickness in a 6-3 frame.

While Brown did step his game up in the final few weeks of the regular season and into the playoffs, he hasn’t been the ultimate answer many were hoping for. Brown’s straight-line speed and open-field quickness make him a real asset but the Ravens need a big-bodied possession receiver capable of moving the chains as well as he can put up touchdowns.

The hope was Miles Boykin would turn into that type of weapon for Baltimore. But Boykin never really fulfilled the role, ultimately seeing the Ravens bring in 37-year-old Dez Bryant to help out. There still should be hope Boykin can make a leap in his third season but the team would be wise not to count on it and, instead, continue to stack talent at arguably their worst position.

Marshall played second fiddle to Justin Jefferson in LSU’s offense in 2019 before getting his crack as the top dog in 2020. With Jefferson’s impressive rookie campaign with the Minnesota Vikings, it’s easy to wonder if Marshall will have a similar entrance to the NFL.

Marshall might not be the fastest guy on the field but he’s fast enough to get behind defenders. He knows how to use his body to guard passes away from defenders and high-point the ball in contested situations. He shows enough polish on his routes to create some separation and has the play-strength to power through would-be tacklers for extra yards. Perhaps more importantly, Marshall is sure-handed and isn’t afraid to make catches in traffic in the middle of the field.

It’s still far too early to know how the 2021 NFL draft will shape up but Kiper’s selection for the Ravens is a good one.

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Mel Kiper’s favorite running back prospect is one that may be heading to the Bucs

Mel Kiper of ESPN named this running back as his favorite prospect ahead of next week’s NFL draft.

Most draft experts agree that the position of need the Buccaneers should look to address first in next week’s NFL draft is offensive tackle. The right side of the Bucs’ O-line was a major problem last year, and former quarterback Jameis Winston was sacked 47 times.

The Bucs can’t afford to let newly-signed quarterback Tom Brady take a beating like that, especially since he will be 43 when the 2020 season rolls around. Plus, Brady was only sacked 27 times last year in New England with the Patriots.

But offensive tackle isn’t the only upgrade the Bucs need to make on offense. Running back is also a major area of need, too, for Tampa Bay, especially after Peyton Barber left in free agency. Fortunately, there’s some depth to this year’s class of running backs, meaning Tampa Bay could find a solid one on Day 2 or 3 of the draft.

So, which back would be a good fit?

While some have Georgia running back D’Andre Swift as the best fit in Tampa Bay, some mock drafts, including our own, like Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins, who rushed for 2,003 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Turns out, Mel Kiper over at ESPN pegged Dobbins as his favorite running back prospect ahead of the draft.

Per Kiper:

“I just love the way Dobbins runs. He’s ferocious. He hits holes hard, and he has some breakaway ability. Dobbins, my second-ranked back in this class, ran for 2,003 yards last season, breaking the Ohio State single-season record. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry. He looked much more explosive than he did in 2018, when he averaged 4.6 yards per carry in a disappointing sophomore season.”

Kiper predicts Dobbins to come off the board in the first half of Round 2. And, wouldn’t you know it, the Bucs hold the 45th overall pick. The stars seemed perfectly aligned to make this dream a reality.

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Mel Kiper’s two-round mock draft is all about offense for the Buccaneers

In his latest two-round mock draft, Mel Kiper sees the Bucs using their first two picks to address their needs on offense.

The 2020 NFL draft kicks off next week, and while the event will be fully virtual this year instead of taking place among the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, teams will still need to be ready when it’s their time on the clock.

For the Buccaneers, it’s an especially important draft now that Tom Brady is their quarterback. Tampa Bay will enter the 2020 season with massive expectations, and anything less than a playoff berth will be viewed as a failure. So, it’s imperative the team does everything they can to address any glaring weaknesses come draft time. Last year, it was all about correcting the defense. This year, it looks like offense may take priority.

In Mel Kiper’s latest two-round mock draft over at ESPN.com, he sees the Bucs going offense early by selecting Georgia OT Andrew Thomas with the 14th overall pick in round one.

Per Kiper:

“I’ll stick with offensive tackle here, as it is the best way to help Tom Brady and a Bucs team that is trying to win now. Thomas started the past two seasons at left tackle for the Bulldogs, but he was their starting right tackle as a freshman, so he has some experience there. This is too high for a running back, but Tampa Bay could address that position in Round 2.”

In fact, Kiper has the Bucs doing just that in round two, using the 45th pick to take Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor.

“How about this help for Tom Brady? Ronald Jones II was in and out of Bruce Arians’ doghouse last season, so it wouldn’t be surprising for the Bucs to target a running back on Day 2. Taylor rushed for 6,174 yards in his career, but he also lost 15 fumbles, and that’s how you catch Arians’ ire. Taylor’s 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine was an eye-opener, though, and there’s a chance he’s the top back off the board.”

The Bucs certainly need help in the backfield, but those 15 lost fumbles by Taylor are certainly cause for concern. Tampa Bay used a second-round pick in the 2018 draft to take Jones, which hasn’t really panned out yet. While Taylor is talented, the Bucs will need to make sure ball security won’t be an issue for him if they decide to draft him.

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Mel Kiper’s new 2020 mock draft has Bucs prioritizing protection for Brady

With Tom Brady now the man under center for the Buccaneers, it’s time for the team to shore up the offensive line.

The NFL draft is a month away, and while we may not be treated to the same extravagance and festivities like in years past due to the coronavirus pandemic, the draft itself will still offer plenty of excitement.

With several teams in the market for quarterbacks, guys like Joe Burrow, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert and perhaps even Jordan Love could find themselves selected in the top 10.

One team that won’t be looking for a quarterback, at least not in round one, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who came out the big winners in the Tom Brady sweepstakes. With Brady on board, the priority for Bruce Arians and co. is to make sure Brady gets protection along the offensive line. Jameis Winston was sacked 47 times last season, while Brady was sacked only 27 times in New England.

The draft should provide Tampa Bay with the perfect opportunity to find a reliable offensive tackle, and in his newest mock draft, Mel Kiper Jr. foresees the Bucs using the 14th pick on Georgia OT Andrew Thomas.

Per Kiper:

“After the Bucs largely bypassed free agency to address their offensive line — they did add swing tackle Joe Haeg — this is the spot in which they need to get help protecting Tom Brady. (It felt strange to type that.) With Demar Dotson still a free agent, the right tackle spot is wide open. Thomas played both left and right tackle for the Bulldogs, and he would help keep Brady’s jersey clean. I also thought about a running back to help Brady, with D’Andre Swift a great option to catch a bunch of passes from the future Hall of Famer. But offensive tackle feels like a lock at this point.”

The thought of Swift in the Bucs’ backfield seems almost too good to be true. It would be a real-life Madden game every time the Bucs take the field. Even if the Bucs don’t grab Swift, Chad Reuter over at NFL.com predicted the Bucs would select Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins with the 45th pick in round two. Not a bad pick up.

But, let’s face it, Brady’s addition to the offense is what matters most. Protecting him comes first.

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New Mel Kiper mock draft has the Buccaneers going back to the LSU well

See which LSU star defender Mel Kiper Jr. likes for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his latest 2020 NFL mock draft.

With the NFL Scouting Combine set to get underway at the end of the month, the road to the 2020 season begins with its first major stop. NFL coaches and scouts will descend on the combine and this year’s crop of draftees, hoping to find the missing piece to their championship team.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who hold the 14th pick in April’s draft, have several glaring needs that need to be addressed along the offensive and defensive line. In his first mock draft last month, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had Tampa Bay going with Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs. But, in his newest mock released today, Kiper thinks the Bucs will snag LSU star defender K’Lavon Chaisson to plug into Todd Bowles’ system.

Per Kiper:

“I mentioned in my Mock Draft 1.0 the Bucs’ possible departures along the defensive line — Ndamukong Suh, Carl Nassib, Jason Pierre-Paul and Beau Allen are all free agents — and Chaisson would be a perfect fit as an outside linebacker in Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense. Chaisson had just 9.5 sacks in his college career, but this is a bet on a terrific upside for a twitchy pass-rusher who should test well at the combine later this month. After taking Devin White in the first round last year, Tampa can go back to the LSU well here with Chaisson.”

As is the case with all mock drafts, nothing is ever certain, and while Chaisson would be an excellent pick for the Bucs, we’ll have a better idea of what Tampa Bay’s top priority is entering the draft once free agency kicks off.

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These 3 CBS Sports mock drafts shows the Bucs could go a number of ways

See what draft analysts over at CBS Sports believe could happen at the 14th spot for the Buccaneers in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Another day, another set of mock drafts.

We’ve seen both Daniel Jeremiah’s and Mel Kiper Jr.’s mocks this week, and while each expert predicted the Bucs would address needs on offense, they differed on which player would be selected.

Today, we have three mock drafts from CBS Sports’ draft experts, and again, the Bucs’ selection is all over the place, with each analyst going a different route.

Ryan Wilson believes Tampa Bay will take linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson out of LSU:

“The Bucs’ 2019 draft class was defense-heavy and the results were immediate; the unit was the No. 5 defense in the league but the D-line could look completely different next season; Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Rakeem Nunez-Roches are all soon-to-be free agents. Chaisson will need to add 10 pounds to his frame but he’s already an explosive, disruptive presence off the edge.”

Chris Trapasso think the selection at 14 will be Alabama safety Xavier McKinney:

“More youthful secondary pieces for the Buccaneers, a team with a defense no one wanted to play down the stretch. McKinney does everything well.”

Josh Edwards is the only analyst who thinks the selection will be one for the offense, as he predicts the Bucs taking Mekhi Becton

“Becton is a large human being and it shocks people how well he moves for his size. There are some aspects of his game that need to be cleaned up but the sky is the limit. Tampa Bay adds some talent on the edge.”

It’ll be interesting to see where Becton actually goes come draft time. Mel Kiper’s mock had him going No. 10 to the Cleveland Browns, while Jeremiah had Becton going as high as No. 4 to the New York Giants.

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