Mel Kiper Jr. usually publishes his final mock draft on the morning of the first round, but he has enough confidence in the process that he publishes it two weeks early. Check out the results and see some of the surprising moves here.
We won’t discuss simulated pick-by-pick. You can find it on ESPN — But here’s what jumped out at us from Kiper’s decision.
Patriots get a steal on No. 3.
Kiper acquired Drake Maye from New England with the No. 3 pick, which is pretty much in line with how things are going. If this were to happen, it would be a major coup. May, like everyone else, on my personal message board, he’s QB1, but we’re not just trying to get him, we’re trying to get him. rear Having two quarterbacks is a huge benefit.
This is one of those moves that when we revisit the 2024 draft in five years, we feel both “this could happen” and “I can’t believe people would let this happen.”
Vikings do the unthinkable (and predictable)
When Minnesota made the trade to secure their second first-round pick, they were destined to move up to QB, and now Kiper has made it a reality with JJ McCarthy.
This makes a lot of sense. The Vikings won a lot of games with Kirk Cousins under center, so why not draft another Kirk Cousins? That’s McCarthy’s ceiling and floor – well, that’s it. It could be another Mac Jones in the making.
WR board is outside the window
The biggest draw in Kiper’s first round will be Xavier Worthy. charger 23rd pick (obtained in the McCarthy trade up). There’s a mystique to having the fastest man at the combine, but it’s amazing to see Worthy outpacing players like Brian Thomas Jr. and Adonai Mitchell.
Can Worthy be a pure burner speedster? Indeed, otherwise it can explode like many have experienced before. It’s just incredible to see him go from being a fifth or sixth round pick before the combine to now a first round pick.
Giants move to acquire QB
We’re talking about the No. 33 pick here, but after thinking about it overnight, Kiper is looking to pair New York State with Carolina so he can take Bo Nix with the second-day No. 1 pick. .
While it could make a lot of sense how the board shapes this situation, it’s a little wild to see the Giants give up so much assets for the Knicks. I don’t think he’s a great QB, and I think it’s pretty wild to give up draft capital to get him.
Wait…what are the Rams doing?
Another quarterback. This time Michael Penix Los Angeles Rams In yet another trade up for a QB in the second round. To be honest, I like this movement.
I know there’s a big question mark regarding Penix, but getting him in the middle of the secondary in a small trade is pretty good for a team that doesn’t have many holes. The Rams are facing a rebuild, but Penix fits in really well with McVay’s offense.
It may sound strange on paper, but I’ve found this to be working.
