Trenton Simpson (86) could be a steal; I had him ranked No. Drew Sanders, ILB, Arkansas Ameer Speed, Michigan State 49. Then he had a poor season and an even worse pre-draft process, testing terribly at the combine. Tiawan Mullen, Indiana, Anthony Adams, Portland State Jacky Chen, Pace After a season at guard, Johnson kicked outside to left tackle for the Buckeyes in 2022. He is both experienced (he started eight games as a freshman) and toolsy (42-inch vertical leap at the combine). 5. Instant-impact rookies can come from any round, of course, but it's asking a lot to guarantee that any of these guys will play early and often. 11. 88. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App). He started 42 games in college, playing both tackle spots and right guard for the Vols. Jared Rus, Iowa State 46. Dante Stills, West Virginia 11. Steven Jones Jr., Appalachian State Kiper's professional career started with Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the Baltimore Colts, suggested that Kiper be draft . 86. 32 Ronnie Bell, Michigan That's because general manager Brad Holmes has done an outstanding job of filling holes and putting together a roster that is the NFC North favorite in 2023. Malik Knowles, Kansas State Marquel Broughton, Army 23. Durell Nchami, Maryland, John Waggoner, Iowa Ventrell Miller, Florida Tyjae Spears, Tulane With their top two picks going to Seattle as the last remnants of the Russell Wilson trade -- and another first-rounder, acquired for edge rusher Bradley Chubb, going to New Orleans for coach Sean Payton -- it was a step to get ahead of their biggest needs. He is a dominant and complete edge rusher who might have been the No. So how'd he do? On Day 3, I liked edge rusher Jose Ramirez (196) as a late flier and tight end Payne Durham (171) as an upside play to find a pass-catcher. 3, and there were five more deals on the night. I think so, even if it doesn't quite make Denver a Super Bowl contender. SaRodorick Thompson, Texas Tech Check out the best highlights that contributed to a great college career for Alabama safety Brian Branch. Tight end Sam LaPorta (34) is going to help as a pass-catcher as a rookie, while Brian Branch (45) is my top-ranked safety. Xavier Smith, Florida A&M 50. 37. ESPN also was not immediately reached. Eli Huggins, Kansas State Jon Gaines II, UCLA Cameron Mitchell, CB, Northwestern I completely support everyone determining whats best for their individual circumstance and recognize the value of vaccines. Josh Allen now has Kincaid and Dawson Knox as his top two tight ends, and he has to be thrilled. Running back Roschon Johnson (115) played behind Bijan Robinson at Texas, but Johnson probably would have started at most other FBS schools. Deonte Banks, Maryland Viliami Fehoko, San Jose State 115. Everything else was overshadowed by the news that the quarterback would be back. Trevor Harmanson, UTSA 14. 7 inside linebacker. I wouldn't love it, but I'd get the logic. Did Steph Curry cook up the best Game 7 performance ever? Richard Gouraige, Florida The strange thing is I said something similar after last year's draft, when former Titans general manager Jon Robinson landed Malik Willis in Round 3. This Bucs class isn't flashy, but it shouldn't go under the radar. Corey Mayfield, UTSA 8. I am looking forward to being part of the 2022 NFL Draft, my 39th for ESPN pic.twitter.com/C5ea9NjdqK. Joe Doyle, Memphis He also plays the run well and is physical at the point of attack. Ryan Miller, Furman Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee 25. I like running back Eric Gray (172) as a potential steal on Day 3; he isn't a burner, but he can be a one-cut back behind Saquon Barkley. Plus, if Rodgers plays a bunch for the Jets, New York will owe the Packers its 2024 first-rounder. Dalton Kincaid, Utah Brandon Joseph, Notre Dame Top needs entering the draft: DE, DT, CB, WR, QB. 5. He really struggled with accuracy in his lone season as the full-time starter, and he needs a lot of improvement on his footwork and mechanics. Top needs entering the draft: CB, C, WR, DT, ILB. This is a dart throw, but it's the kind of Round 7 pick I can get behind. I don't see NFL starter traits for quarterback Jaren Hall, but he was extremely productive over the past two years. Simply put, my Covid vaccination decision is very specific to my own personal medical history. Tyler Steen, Alabama 5 22 Related Topics ESPN Sports journalism Sports 22 comments Best Add a Comment 4t9rman 1 yr. ago 84. I feel good, but out of an abundance of caution Im just going to take a step back from this years draft coverage, he said in a video posted to Twitter. 4. And it's the receiving part that makes Gibbs such an intriguing prospect -- and could land him in Round 1. New Orleans instead landed my third-ranked DT Bryan Bresee (29), who isn't as good against the run as Carter but does have some pass-rush upside. Offensive tackle Jaelyn Duncan (186) has starter tools if he can put everything together. 33. For the past couple of mock drafts that I did, as I studied depth charts and free agent and trade additions, I found it really hard to identify clear needs for the Lions. Jacob Slade, Michigan State, J-Min Pelley, Calgary (Canada) Jayden Reed, Michigan State 29. Riley Moss, Iowa They need help on both sides of the ball. Isaiah Winstead, East Carolina Brandon Barnes-Brown, Fayetteville State, 1. ET): HT: 6-foot-3 | WT: 314 pounds | Previously: 1. 5. Overall, I was impressed with what Ossenfort did in his first class as a GM, getting a plug-and-play left tackle and prime 2024 picks. But he has a high ceiling, and I think he could thrive with pro talent around him. Will Mallory, Miami Credit to them for not reaching for a direct need, though, as a team can never have too many pass-rushers. Griffin Hebert, Louisiana Tech K.J. 6. Robert Mitchell, NC Central 14. 13. 3. 22. At No. If Young & Co. struggle, Chicago might have a top-five choice. And I have to say, I'm impressed by several of the prospects general manager Andrew Berry landed. Mitchell Agude, Miami 1. Mazi Smith (26) is the best run-stuffing defensive tackle in this class, a 323-pounder who will instantly improve their run defense. That's a miss based on my list of pre-draft needs. Nic Jones, Ball State 60. Warren McClendon, Georgia Chuck Filiaga, Minnesota 33. Kahlef Hailassie, Western Kentucky Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan During the multiday event, which lasts seven rounds, teams choose players based on their needs. Trevor Brohard, New Mexico State Alama Uluave, San Diego State, 1. Titus Leo, Wagner Mel Kiper Jr. Announces Plans For His Retirement On ESPN Live I think he will be Tennessee's starting quarterback, maybe even as soon as this season. 30. Kiper, a fixture on ESPN's NFL draft coverage since 1984, won't be the only familiar face missing from the event. 7. The . He doesn't make many mistakes. 13 tackle. 142. Keilahn Harris, Oklahoma Baptist 93. Calais Campbell, who will turn 37 before the season begins, is not going to get them 10 sacks. Jalen Green, Mississippi State And if . 34. Jaleel McLaughlin, Youngstown State Brady Russell, Colorado, See why Anthony Richardson has become a top draft prospect, The highlights that make Bryce Young an elite NFL prospect, Kiper's final 2023 NFL draft rankings: Top 150 prospects and best at every position, 'That was crazy, no cap': How one wild sequence helped the 76ers steal Game 1, 'Aggressive' Harden takes over as 76ers stun C's, Suns' Paul leaves G2 loss with left groin tightness, Devils blank Rangers for 1st series win since 2012, Jokic powers Nuggets to 2-0, shrugs off MVP talk, Serena announces she's pregnant with 2nd child, Snoop Dogg joins Sparks' bid to buy Senators, Jets bolster OT group by signing veteran Turner, Ohio halts betting on Alabama baseball games. I appreciate my colleagues, particularly the production staff and my fellow commentators, for their support and flexibility. Brett Neilon, USC Kaleb Hayes, BYU 6. Flowers will make plays out of the slot, but he can line up outside too. 12 and 33 plus first- and third-rounders in 2024 for pick Nos.