All articles tagged with #mel kiper
Mel Kiper's latest mock has the Bengals at No. 10 and selecting LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane, a pick meant to bolster the leaky pass defense but that could spell the end for DJ Turner or Dax Hill in Cincinnati. With no clear quarterback prospect at the top and limited trade-back options, Cincinnati may look to move down, though finding a partner could be difficult.
Mel Kiper named 13 players whose NFL Scouting Combine performances boosted their draft stock ahead of the 2026 draft, with standouts like Arkansas RB Mike Washington Jr., Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II, Georgia WR Zachariah Branch, Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor and Penn State DE Dani Dennis-Sutton among others; strong 40-yard dashes, verticals and drills across positions could push several prospects into earlier rounds.
Mel Kiper’s latest ESPN mock has the Chicago Bears at 25th and prioritizes interior defensive-line help, with Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald as a leading fit to bolster the run defense. The piece argues DT is the bigger immediate need (over edge), cites other potential first‑round DTs like Peter Woods and Caleb Banks as options, and notes that Chicago’s draft approach should continue to build through the trenches after last year’s Loveland and Burden selections.
In Mel Kiper’s first 2026 mock, the Tennessee Titans select Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey at No. 4, aiming to bolster the defense under new coach Robert Saleh; Rueben Bain is noted for potential length concerns, and offensive options like Carnell Tate could emerge if the Titans prioritize help for quarterback Cam Ward.
Mel Kiper Jr. downplays the significance of Arch Manning's initial performance against Ohio State, emphasizing that he's still essentially a rookie and that the game shouldn't be overreacted to, especially given the offensive line issues and the tough opponent.
Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, hiring agents Drew Rosenhaus and Ryan Matha. Expected to be a top-five pick, Graham is ranked as the No. 5 prospect on Mel Kiper's Big Board. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound junior is an Outland Trophy finalist and a two-time All-Big Ten selection, with notable career stats including 108 tackles and 9 sacks over three seasons.
ESPN analysts Mel Kiper and Field Yates conducted a three-round mock draft, selecting Caleb Williams as the Bears' No. 1 pick, followed by Rome Odunze at No. 9 and Kiran Amegadjie at No. 75. Kiper emphasized Williams' potential with the team's offensive lineup and addressed the need for an edge rusher or offensive tackle, ultimately opting for a wide receiver and then an offensive tackle in the absence of a second-round pick.
ESPN analysts Mel Kiper and Field Yates conducted a three-round mock draft, with the New York Giants selecting wide receiver Malik Nabers from LSU at No. 6 and trading up to acquire quarterback Bo Nix from Oregon at No. 38. The Giants made a trade with the Tennessee Titans to secure the pick, addressing their need for a future quarterback option.
ESPN's latest mock draft has the Cleveland Browns addressing offensive needs by selecting Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin and running back Trey Benson in the 2024 NFL draft, aiming to bolster their offensive arsenal. The addition of Franklin aims to provide a speedy big-play threat, while Benson's selection is seen as a potential push for Nick Chubb. The Browns' moves are seen as addressing potential free agency departures and adding depth to their offensive lineup.
The New York Giants are set to meet with quarterback prospect Jayden Daniels, prompting discussions about their potential draft choices and future offensive line. Mel Kiper's mock draft suggests the Giants could make a Round 2 deal for Bo Nix, while other headlines focus on NFL draft projections, quarterback prospects, and Eli Manning's playful trolling of Patrick Mahomes.
Mel Kiper's latest mock draft suggests the Minnesota Vikings may trade up to select Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially making a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. Kiper believes the Vikings can't afford to wait until their No. 11 pick to secure one of the top quarterbacks and sees McCarthy as a strong fit for the team with his playmaking abilities. The connection between McCarthy's former college coach, Jim Harbaugh, who now coaches the Chargers, adds intrigue to the potential move, indicating that this could be the direction the Vikings are leaning towards as the draft approaches.
Mel Kiper's latest mock draft predicts three trades for quarterbacks in the first two rounds, with the Bears staying put at No. 1 and No. 9. He projects USC's Caleb Williams as the Bears' No. 1 pick, citing his top-tier skills and potential impact with the team's offensive targets. For the No. 9 pick, Kiper selects Washington's Rome Odunze, highlighting the opportunity to add an elite wideout on a rookie contract to complement the Bears' receiving corps.
Mel Kiper's two-round 2024 NFL mock draft has the Tennessee Titans addressing their needs by selecting Joe Alt, OT from Notre Dame, in the first round and Ricky Pearsall, WR from Florida, in the second round. Kiper believes Alt can immediately contribute at left tackle, while Pearsall could provide depth at wide receiver given the uncertain future of DeAndre Hopkins and underperformance of Treylon Burks.
In Mel Kiper's two-round mock draft for ESPN, the Green Bay Packers selected offensive tackle Mims, off-ball linebacker Cooper, and defensive back Bullard, all of whom fit the team's size and athleticism preferences. Mims is a massive pass protector, Cooper is a versatile linebacker, and Bullard adds depth to the safety position. These picks align with the Packers' strategy of targeting young and athletic prospects to address key positions.
ESPN's Mel Kiper's latest two-round mock draft has the Dallas Cowboys addressing their offensive needs by selecting an offensive lineman and running back with their first and second-round picks, respectively. Kiper suggests the Cowboys should target Oklahoma Sooners offensive lineman Tyler Guyton to fill the void at left tackle and Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks to bolster their running game.