Mel Kiper isn’t going anywhere as arguably one of the Mount Rushmore analysts of the NFL draft has continued to carry out his calling in preparing fans for draft week. In the lead-up to the event, Kiper released a mock draft on Wednesday, detailing his predictions for the first two rounds of the NFL draft.
Some predictions were par for the course. Others raised questions or predicted uncharacteristic switch-ups. Here are the biggest takeaways from Kiper’s list.
Top Takeaways from Mel Kiper’s Mock Draft
#1 – Rueben Bain Jr. Remains In Top 10
Rueben Bain Jr. is the latest candidate for a late slide after it became publicly known in the NFL zeitgeist that the pass rusher had previously crashed a car, which led to the death of a passenger this week. In an Apr. 12 report by The Read Optional, Bain crashed while driving on Interstate 95 in Miami at 4:00 am, which resulted in a coma that took her life three months later.
Kiper’s draft indicated that the news will have little, if any, effect on the New Orleans Saints, as the team was predicted to draft Bain at No. 8. Other players in draft history, such as Laremy Tunsil, who was seen on video smoking a gas mask bong shortly before the draft, as the report mentioned, have taken slides as a result of last-second revelations. Not Bain, who was cited for careless driving and released seemingly without punishment.
#2 – Titans Try To Resurrect Derrick Henry Era
The Tennessee Titans might be missing Derrick Henry. At least, that is what Mel Kiper’s draft indicated. The franchise, trying to bring back its brand of winning, was predicted to draft Jeremiah Love, the top running back prospect of the class in the eyes of many, including, apparently, Kiper.
With Cam Ward going into a huge season, adding an additional star to help the young quarterback’s chances makes plenty of sense. It also puts Brian Daboll and Robert Saleh in familiar territory after Daboll’s history with Saquon Barkley and Saleh’s history with Christian McCaffrey.
#3 – Jerry Jones Shirks Reputation To Make Uncharacteristically Huge Investment
Jerry Jones has a reputation for freezing in the most expensive moments, but Mel Kiper doesn’t believe that to be the case this time around. The draft analyst predicted Jones to trade up with the Cleveland Browns, swapping pick Nos. 12 and 20 to Cleveland for Nos. 6 and 39. Jones was then predicted to draft Sonny Styles, setting the tone that Dallas is pulling out every stop to get the team back on top in the NFC East.
#4 – Seahawks Stiff-arm Zach Charbonnet and Emanuel Wilson in Precedented post-Super Bowl move
The Seattle Seahawks were uninterested in paying Kenneth Walker, so the team allowed him to walk. Many took this to mean that either Zach Charbonnet or Emanuel Wilson would be in for a significant boost in snaps. Instead, in Kiper’s mind, general manager John Schneider will zig, taking running back Jadarian Price at No. 32.
The move is reminiscent of the Kansas City Chiefs drafting Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the 2020 NFL draft at No. 32 after winning it all at the end of the 2019 season. Edwards-Helaire didn’t quite live up to his draft stock, but perhaps Schneider’s choice will.
#5 – Les Snead Creates Questions at Wide Receiver
The Los Angeles Rams have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the NFL, but it could all be snatched away in an instant between Davante Adams’ age and Puka Nacua’s troubling off-field developments. Mel Kiper believes Les Snead is aware of the issue, which is why he predicted the general manager to spend a top pick on Makai Lemon.
It’s a logical move, even without factoring in Nacua’s troubles. Adams won’t be around forever, and in a best-case scenario, the team will be set up for the next half-decade or longer. It makes sense, but surely will cause a stir.
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