Tag: Mel Kiper

Chase Young top player on Mel Kiper’s 2020 NFL Draft Big Board

Mel Kiper has Ohio State defensive end Chase Young as the top player overall on his 2020 NFL Draft Big Board.

This may come as no surprise to most of you, but the absolute top player on NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper’s Big Board is none other than Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. And for good reason.

Young set a single-season program record at OSU for sacks in a season at 16.5. He also led the country in average tackles-for-loss in all of FBS, and was in opponents’ backfields an awful lot in 2019. He garnered so much attention that he was invited to New York as a Heisman finalist. He finished fourth overall in the voting.

All of this, while sitting out a two-game suspension.

Here’s what Kiper says about Young:

Young, who finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting, is a dominant pass-rusher whose 16.5 sacks broke the Buckeyes’ single-season record. He had a phenomenal season and is the clear top prospect in the class. Now, does that mean he’ll go No. 1? No, because we know how much teams value quarterbacks, and LSU’s Joe Burrow is the favorite to go to the Bengals. The NFL loves twitchy edge rushers who can get after quarterbacks, though, and that’s Young. He caught my eye as a true freshman in 2017, and he really came on in 2018, picking up the production with Nick Bosa sidelined; Young finished with 9.5 sacks and 14.5 total tackles for loss that season.

Everyone is fairly confident that Joe Burrow will go No. 1 to the Cincinnati Bengals, but after that, watch for Young to be the next to go.

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Mel Kiper NFL mock draft 1.0: Broncos select WR Henry Ruggs

In his first 2020 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Broncos selecting Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs.

In his first 2020 NFL mock draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the Broncos selecting Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 15th overall pick (subscription required for link).

Ruggs (6-0, 190 pounds) is a speedy receiver who caught 86 passes for 1,487 yards and 18 touchdowns during his final two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He is widely considered one of the top WRs in this year’s draft class.

Kiper said he also considered cornerback at No. 15 because Denver might lose Chirs Harris during free agency. Kiper also pondered the possibility of Justin Simmons leaving and needing to be replaced but that seems unlikely.

Todd McShay, Kiper’s ESPN colleague, predicted the Broncos would select LSU safety Grant Delpit in his first 2020 NFL mock draft. Given that Denver aims to re-sign Simmons, Delpit would be a surprise at No. 15.

The draft will take place in Las Vegas from April 23-25. The Broncos are projected to have 12 picks, including seven in the first four rounds.

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Seahawks select linebacker in 1st round of Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft 1.0

ESPN’s Mel Kiper is projecting the Seattle Seahawks select linebacker Zack Baun with the No. 27 overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Draft talk is in full swing now that ESPN’s Mel Kiper has released his 2020 Mock Draft 1.0. After losing to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs, the Seattle Seahawks will select at number No. 27 in the first round come April.

Kiper projects Seattle will select linebacker Zack Baun out of Wisconsin.

“It’s fair to say the early returns on 2019 first-round pick L.J. Collier, whom I ranked outside my top 50, were disappointing; he played just 142 defensive snaps and didn’t have a sack,” Kiper writes. “Put that next to an injury-plagued season from Ezekiel Ansah and an inconsistent year from Jadeveon Clowney, and the Seahawks produced a very un-Pete-Carroll-like 28 total sacks, tied for second-fewest in the league.”

“This front seven could be depleted in free agency – Jarran Reed is another who could leave – which means Baun, whom I really wanted to find a way to sneak into the first round here, makes a lot of sense,” Kiper continues. “He’s not going to be a traditional hulking 4-3 defensive end, but he gets after quarterbacks in different ways. His 2019 breakout season (12.5 sacks) included a few “wow” moments from his relentlessness, and he’s going to get some comps to former Badger T.J. Watt. If he lands in Seattle, he’d play outside linebacker, but he’d get plenty of opportunities to get after quarterbacks.

“I thought about Oklahoma defensive tackle Neville Gallimore, who has had a good week at the Senior Bowl as a Reed replacement, but I’ll stick with Baun.”

With a significant increase in the salary cap this upcoming season, it’s foreseeable the Seahawks could renew a contract or two as opposed to losing so many players to free agency.

What Seattle manages to do come March will have a huge impact on the Seahawks’ draft board.

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Mel Kiper gives Chargers quarterback of the future in first mock draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his first mock draft on Friday.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah released his first mock draft a couple days ago, where he gave the Los Angeles Chargers former Alabama offensive tackle Jedrick Wills with the No. 6 overall selection.

Two days later, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. put out his first mock draft, but he elected to go in a different direction. Kiper gave the Bolts former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert with their first-round selection.

Here is what Kiper had to say about Herbert to Los Angeles:

The Chargers have some big decisions to make over the next few months. Will they bring back free-agent quarterback Philip Rivers? Will they pay up to keep tight end Hunter Henry and running back Melvin Gordon? Rivers showed some decline in 2019, throwing 20 interceptions. It could be time to start fresh with the 6-foot-6 Herbert, who has the highest ceiling of any of the quarterbacks in this class. His inconsistency can be maddening and his decision-making must improve, but you can’t doubt his talent, and a team in the top 10 could fall in love. L.A. has some issues; its defense produced just 30 sacks (despite Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III combining for 18.5), and quarterbacks completed 70.7% of passes against it, highest in the league. The Chargers also got almost nothing from top 2019 picks Jerry Tillery and Nasir Adderley. This also could be a spot to watch for defense.

Herbert, the 6-foot-6 and 227 pound signal-caller, has been commonly mocked to the Chargers, and it’s unlikely to come to an end anytime soon. The team needs to start planning for the future even if they decide to bring back veteran Philip Rivers for another season or two.

Los Angeles is in a prime position to snag one, considering how high they’re picking and Herbert would be a solid option. The opinions are mixed on the Eugene native because of his inconsistencies, but the talent and potential to become a premiere NFL quarterback is there.

Herbert is coming off a great week of practices at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, where he displayed his maculate arm strength, terrific ball placement, athleticism and he checked off boxes that might’ve been questioned by some including his decision-making and working through his reads in team drills.

Another thing that a lot of teams want to know is if he is capable of leading an offense. Herbert said in an interview that he is vocal as opposed to being an introvert like many people label him. He displayed that on the field, and all of his receivers responded really well to him.

The former Oregon product will play in a live game setting to conclude his week down in Mobile, AL on Saturday. The game will start at 11:30 a.m. PT and will be televised on NFL Network.

Mel Kiper says Redskins ‘absolutely can’t pass’ on Chase Young in 2020 NFL Draft

It almost seems like a foregone conclusion that the Redskins will draft Chase Young with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft at this point.

We are all entrenched in the confines of ‘Mock Draft Season’ in the NFL, as all but two teams are now into their offseason and focusing on preparations for what comes ahead.

While some of the top prospects in the NFL are competing at the Senior Bowl this week, others are getting ready for the combine where they will be able to perform at the biggest job interview in their lives to date. For many teams, what takes place at the NFL Combine will go a long way to determine who they draft with their first pick in April; for the Redskins, it’s pretty much a foregone conclusion that they will select Ohio State defensive end Chase Young.

In ESPN’s Mel Kyper’s latest mock draft, he yet again has the Redskins selecting Young with the No. 2 overall pick, which comes as no surprise. During the predraft process that has gotten underway over the past few weeks, many are debating whether or not Young or LSU quarterback Chase Young is the best overall prospect in the draft. Many think that Young is the No. 1 guy, but the Cincinnati Bengals’ need for a QB will likely drive them to take the Heisman Trophy-winner with their first pick. That leaves Young to fall to Washington, and it seems almost impossible that they’ll draft anyone but him.

If you scanned Washington’s depth chart, you probably wouldn’t pick out an edge rusher as its top need. It might not even be in the top three. And yet, the Redskins absolutely can’t pass on Young — unless they get bowled over with an offer from a team trading up. With 16.5 sacks in 2019, Young was truly dominant, and he’ll make an instant impact at the next level. Yes, Washington has veteran Ryan Kerrigan, who has one year left on his contract, and just took Montez Sweat (seven sacks as a rookie) in the first round, but Young has All-Pro talent and is my top-ranked prospect overall. New coach Ron Rivera will love him.

Of course, some other team like the Miami Dolphins could offer a load of draft assets and picks in order to move up in the draft, convincing Washington to give away the second pick, but many think that the Redskins will turn down any offer they may receive. If you have the chance to take Chase, you take him.

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Saints pick Jordan Love in Mel Kiper’s first 2020 mock draft

The New Orleans Saints selected Utah State quarterback Jordan Love in the first 2020 NFL mock draft from ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper.

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What are the New Orleans Saints going to do in this year’s NFL draft? They have just two picks in the first three rounds (slotting in at Nos. 24 and 88) but plenty of roster needs, ranging from a starting left guard and number-two wide receiver, to a potential quarterback of the future. It also wouldn’t be a shock if they added talent on defense at linebacker or cornerback.

ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper released his first 2020 mock draft, and he projects the Saints to select Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. Love turned in a solid week of practice ahead of the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., showcasing his big arm and ability to throw with anticipation. Just 21, he would be a great option to develop while Drew Brees chases one more Supr Bowl title:

So you probably see Love’s stat line — 20 touchdown passes, 17 interceptions — and think this pick doesn’t make sense, but you need to know the context around this Utah State team. Love lost his top five pass-catchers from his breakout 2018 (32 TDs, six INTs), along with a few starters along the offensive line. The Aggies just didn’t have the offensive talent around him to compete. At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, Love can make every throw, and NFL teams are high on his talent. He could be a first-round pick with a strong pre-draft process, which started in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl. As for the Saints, this pick is all about projection. There’s no guarantee that 41-year-old Drew Brees will return in 2020, and Teddy Bridgewater is also a free agent. Love could develop for a year or two behind a bridge quarterback. New Orleans, by the way, doesn’t have a second-round pick, so it needs to hit here.

Now, whether Love will be available so late in the first round is anyone’s guess. It’s a very fluid situation behind LSU phenom Joe Burrow, the consensus number-one prospect, and some combination of Love, Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa, Oregon senior Justin Herbert, and Oklahoma passer Jalen Hurts is expected to fill out the top-five behind him, with other prospects like Jacob Eason and Jake Fromm in the mix. Don’t be surprised if the Saints end up making a bold trade to go get their next quarterback.

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Mel Kiper mock draft 1.0: Ravens take C.J. Mosley’s replacement

The Baltimore Ravens grab LSU linebacker Patrick Queen in the 2020 NFL draft to replace C.J. Mosley, according to Mel Kiper.

There are tons of draft analysts around, but none as famous as ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Well known for his player evaluations and mock drafts, Kiper is one of the few analysts around that draw attention every time he puts together a mock draft.

Now that we know which underclassmen are entering the 2020 NFL draft, team needs established and the NFL Scouting Combine quickly approaching, Kiper had enough information to put together his very first mock draft of the offseason.

At No. 28, Kiper has the Baltimore Ravens taking LSU linebacker Patrick Queen.

“Did the Ravens ever really replace C.J. Mosley? Not really, though that defense didn’t have many weaknesses for the last few months of the season. Journeyman Josh Bynes took the reins, but he’s a free agent, and general manager Eric DeCosta could upgrade with Queen, a fast, athletic, run-and-hit middle linebacker who is rising up boards because of his play down the stretch of LSU’s title run. He was tremendous in the two College Football Playoff games, picking up four tackles for loss and 16 total tackles. This is a great fit. Baltimore could also address another spot in the front seven.”

While not the biggest pressing need for Baltimore this offseason, they never really found a suitable long-term answer for C.J. Mosley’s departure. They hoped Patrick Onwuasor and Chris Board would team up to make up for the loss but wound up out of the starting lineup shortly into the 2019 season in favor of Josh Bynes and L.J. Fort — two players who hadn’t started a game last season prior to joining the Ravens in Week 5.

With Onwuasor and Bynes among Baltimore’s 21 pending free agents this offseason, there are no guarantees the Ravens will be able to even limp into the 2020 season with what they had last year, much less upgrade at the position. That makes the 2020 NFL draft the ideal location to find Mosley’s replacement and improve the play upfront in Baltimore’s defense.

NFL.com draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah is also high on Queen, ranking him as his second-best linebacker prospect. Well known for his sideline-to-sideline speed and range, Queen is exactly the type of player the Ravens need at the position. Baltimore’s defense has struggled against running backs and tight ends in coverage over the years, failing to match their speed in the passing game, often getting gouged for big yards in key situations. While Queen is also well noted for being a little undersized, most draft analysts praise his football intelligence for helping him get to the hole quickly to make big plays in the run game.

Queen looks like a prospect who could realistically start Week 1 for the Ravens and has a high enough ceiling to excel there. That’s all any team could ask for from their first-round pick.

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