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Tag: Kiper

  • Mel Kiper ships Missouri WR Luther Burden to Cowboys, PFF loves it


    It’s no secret that the Dallas Cowboys’ offense took a turn for the worse in 2024. With both QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb stuck in negotiations all offseason, the passing game was not firing on all cylinders to start the year. WR Brandin Cooks struggled through the start of the season dealing with a knee injury, and with third-year WR Jalen Tolbert failing to step up, things never gelled before Prescott was lost for the year with a hamstring injury.

    Cooks is now a free agent, and the offense will look a lot different with head coach Mike McCarthy not returning. The Cowboys will need some help to augment their passing game, and based on picking No. 12, wideout is going to be a position often assigned to them in mock drafts.

    ESPN’s Mel Kiper feels similarly. In his first mock exercise of 2025, he wedded Dallas to Missouri WR Luther Burden III.

    12. Dallas Cowboys – Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

    Yes, it’s a mock draft without Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty going to Dallas! I think it’s possible the Cowboys will take Jeanty, and there’s no arguing that they need a boost to the run game. But I imagine they’d first try to fix that hole in free agency. And regardless, this team has to find playmakers all over, period.

    Putting Burden’s valuable after-the-catch ability opposite CeeDee Lamb would open things up for Dak Prescott. Dallas has been looking for a reliable one-two receiver punch in the offense for a while; it hasn’t had two WRs over 700 receiving yards since 2021, when Amari Cooper was still in town. Burden has the explosive traits to change that.

    Kiper isn’t the only one who feels strongly about the pairing. On Thursday, Pro Football Focus went to work identifying the perfect 2024 draft prospect for each of the NFL’s 32 teams. Burden was the match for Dallas there as well.

    The Cowboys definitively have needs along their defensive roster, but Jerry Jones is as concerned with the Cowboys brand as much as he is winning and wants that brand to be exciting and on our television screens as much as possible, so adding an explosive offensive weapon to pair with CeeDee Lamb would do just that.

    While CeeDee Lamb played about half of his snaps out wide and half in the slot, Burden has played over 80% of his snaps out of the slot over the past two seasons. Burden is dangerous with the ball in his hands. He can be used on jet sweeps and screens to quickly get the ball to him and allow him to use his incredible acceleration to generate big plays. Burden has 25 touchdowns over the last three seasons, including four rushing touchdowns.

     



    In an unexpected move, NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper has shipped highly-touted Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden to the Dallas Cowboys in his latest mock draft. Pro Football Focus (PFF) has given their stamp of approval, praising the fit and potential impact Burden could have on the Cowboys’ offense.

    Burden, a dynamic playmaker with exceptional speed and route-running ability, would provide a much-needed boost to the Cowboys’ receiving corps. With his big-play potential and knack for making defenders miss, Burden could be a game-changer for Dallas.

    PFF has lauded Kiper’s selection of Burden to the Cowboys, noting that he has the skills to excel in their high-powered offense led by quarterback Dak Prescott. With star wide receiver Amari Cooper’s future uncertain in Dallas, adding a talent like Burden could help ensure the Cowboys’ passing attack remains potent for years to come.

    Cowboys fans are sure to be excited about the prospect of adding a player of Burden’s caliber to their team, and if Kiper and PFF are to be believed, it could be a move that pays dividends for Dallas in the long run. Stay tuned for more draft updates as we approach the NFL Draft.

    Tags:

    Mel Kiper, Missouri WR Luther Burden, Dallas Cowboys, PFF, NFL draft, trade, football, sports news

    #Mel #Kiper #ships #Missouri #Luther #Burden #Cowboys #PFF #loves

  • 2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper releases first mock draft, predictions for all 32 first-round picks


    ESPN’s Mel Kiper released his first NFL Mock Draft of 2025 and it’s time to start debating and analyzing!

    Things are going to change with this draft, as they usually do, over the next few months. Trades, hires, injuries, you name it. This board will shift but this is a great first look from Kiper with some surprises.

    Let’s dive into Kiper’s newest Mock Draft for the 2025 edition.

    1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB – Miami

    The Titans will hit the reset button with Ward with the top pick in the draft. He is Kiper’s top QB available and Tennessee certainly needs a new face.

    The Will Levis experiment is seemingly over and Brian Callahan needs a chance to put his stamp on the franchise. Ward got better and better throughout his college career and had serious Heisman buzz in 2024.

    Colorado star Travis Hunter revealed what it would mean to him to win the Heisman.
    Cris Tiller / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

    Now we get to the Heisman winner in the NFL Draft. Hunter will go next according to Kiper as the Browns will pass on taking a quarterback.

    Hunter plans to play both ways in the league, but the Browns have plenty of other holes to fill. But at least they get the best player on the board and a superstar coming to Cleveland.

    3. New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB – Colorado

    It’s finally time for the Giants to draft a quarterback. If Cleveland takes Hunter, the Giants cannot pass on a QB per Kiper.

    Sanders put up big numbers in two years at Colorado and was one of the more accurate quarterbacks over the last two seasons. He has franchise quarterback pedigree and swagger and could bring a serious buzz back to the Giants.

    The Patriots have a QB in place so this draft could be about defense first. With Mike Vrabel manning the ship, take Carter here.

    This man is a game wrecker on the edge and could be an instant impact type of player. Aside from wearing No. 11, people already compared Carter to a Micah Parsons-type player.

    Michigan Wolverines football defensive tackle Mason Graham was named a unanimous All-American. (Photo by Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
    (Photo by Eric Seals / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

    The Jaguars took major steps back once the middle of the 2023 season came around, so they basically need everything. Why not draft a top tier defensive prospect?
    Graham’s been dominant in his college career, helping Michigan win the national title last season. He was productive this year as well and can immediately start in the middle of that defensive line in Jacksonville.

    The Raiders need some weapons on the outside and McMillan is seemingly the best wide receiver in the draft, outside of Hunter, according to Kiper. McMillan is a deep ball threat and can change the game on a dime.

    As of now, the Raiders still need a head coach and maybe a quarterback. Unless they trade up, they won’t get Ward or Sanders. Perhaps free agency is the way to go in that department and then give said-quarterback McMillan as a new target.

    The Jets are close to hiring Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, so logically, New York should go defense first. Williams is another star in the making coming from a Georgia defense.

    Why not beef up that unit that had a lot of promise last year but was shaky? The QB is probably the biggest question mark, as in, if Aaron Rodgers comes back or not. But get another great defender in there!

    Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker
    Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. (Brett Davis-Imagn Images)

    Another Georgia player off the board in this draft! The Panthers showed a lot of promise down the stretch and it looks like they don’t have to worry about QB Bryce Young anymore.

    So now, start beefing up the defense! Like Williams before him, Walker can be a game changing linebacker. Very typical of the Georgia defense.

    Arguably the best cornerback in the NFL Draft, Johnson likely won’t make it out of the top 10 picks. So the Saints can’t miss here.

    Johnson was key to MIchigan’s defense for their national championship run in 2023-24. Unfortunately, he missed about half of the season with injury this year, but he essentially takes away half of the field when he lines up opposing wide receivers.

    Now that the Bears have a franchise QB in Caleb WIlliams and some weapons, and oh yeah, a new head coach in Ben Johnson, they need to protect Williams. Campbell is Kiper’s top offensive lineman in this draft class.

    Don’t let him get out of the top 10 Chicago! Otherwise Williams is doomed going into 2025 with a lack of protection!

    Mel Kiper Mock Draft 2025: Picks 11-32

    11. San Francisco 49ers: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT – Texas
    12. Dallas Cowboys: Luther Burden III, WR – Missouri
    13. Miami Dolphins: Malaki Starks, S – Georgia
    14. Indianapolis Colts: Tyler Warren, TE – Penn State
    15. Atlanta Falcons: Shemar Stewart, DE – Texas A&M
    16. Arizona Cardinals: Tyler Booker, G – Alabama
    17. Cincinnati Bengals: Jihaad Campbell, LB – Alabama
    18. Seattle Seahawks: Armand Membou, OT/G – Missouri
    19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nick Emmanwori, S – South Carolina
    20. Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB – Boise State
    21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Emeka Egbuka, WR – Ohio State
    22. Los Angeles Chargers: Colston Loveland, TE – Michigan
    23. Green Bay Packers: Mike Green, OLB – Marshall
    24. Minnesota Vikings: Benjamin Morrison, CB – Notre Dame
    25. Houston Texans: Josh Simmons, OT – Ohio State
    26. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Conerly Jr., OT – Oregon
    27. Baltimore Ravens: Shavon Revel Jr., CB – East Carolina
    28. Detroit Lions: James Pearce Jr., OLB – Tennessee
    29. Washington Commanders: Nic Scourton, DE – Texas A&M
    30. Buffalo Bills: Maxwell Hairston, CB – Kentucky
    31. Kansas City Chiefs: Walter Nolen, DT – Ole Miss
    32. Philadelphia Eagles: Kenneth Grant, DT – Michigan



    With the 2025 NFL Draft just around the corner, renowned draft analyst Mel Kiper has released his first mock draft, predicting the fate of all 32 first-round picks. Here are some of the highlights from Kiper’s mock draft:

    1. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
    2. New York Jets – DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon)
    3. Detroit Lions – QB Malik Willis (Liberty)
    4. Houston Texans – OT Evan Neal (Alabama)
    5. New York Giants – WR Chris Olave (Ohio State)
    6. Carolina Panthers – LB Nakobe Dean (Georgia)
    7. Atlanta Falcons – CB Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU)
    8. Denver Broncos – QB Sam Howell (North Carolina)
    9. Washington Football Team – OT Ikem Ekwonu (NC State)
    10. Philadelphia Eagles – WR Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
    11. Minnesota Vikings – DE George Karlaftis (Purdue)
    12. Pittsburgh Steelers – QB Desmond Ridder (Cincinnati)
    13. Las Vegas Raiders – DT DeMarvin Leal (Texas A&M)
    14. Miami Dolphins – RB Breece Hall (Iowa State)
    15. Cleveland Browns – CB Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati)
    16. Baltimore Ravens – WR Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
    17. New Orleans Saints – LB Christian Harris (Alabama)
    18. Green Bay Packers – OT Charles Cross (Mississippi State)
    19. Los Angeles Chargers – S Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame)
    20. Philadelphia Eagles (from Indianapolis) – CB Kaiir Elam (Florida)
    21. New England Patriots – WR Jahan Dotson (Penn State)
    22. Chicago Bears – DT Travis Jones (Connecticut)
    23. Seattle Seahawks – DE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)
    24. Cincinnati Bengals – OT Daniel Faalele (Minnesota)
    25. Buffalo Bills – DE Drake Jackson (USC)
    26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – LB Devin Lloyd (Utah)
    27. Dallas Cowboys – CB Trent McDuffie (Washington)
    28. Kansas City Chiefs – S Jaquan Brisker (Penn State)
    29. Arizona Cardinals – WR John Metchie III (Alabama)
    30. Miami Dolphins (from San Francisco) – TE Jalen Wydermyer (Texas A&M)
    31. New York Jets (from Seattle) – RB Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State)
    32. Tennessee Titans – WR Skyy Moore (Western Michigan)

    While mock drafts are always subject to change, Kiper’s predictions provide an intriguing glimpse into the potential future of the NFL. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the 2025 NFL Draft approaches.

    Tags:

    2025 NFL Draft, Mel Kiper, mock draft predictions, first round picks, NFL draft analysis, top prospects, draft projections, mock draft breakdown, Mel Kiper mock draft analysis, draft predictions, NFL draft prospects, top draft picks, first round mock draft, 2025 draft predictions.

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  • Mel Kiper Jr.’s first 2025 mock draft


    ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. releases first 2025 mock draft

    The 2025 NFL Draft kicks off exactly three months from tomorrow.

    While we are still at the beginning of the pre-draft process, many draft pundits are already beginning to release their early projections. The latest to do so is ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., one of the biggest names in the draft community.

    With the third overall pick in his first mock draft of the year, Kiper predicts the Giants select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

    “This is the best-case scenario for the Giants,” wrote Kiper. “Their Week 17 win over the Colts slid them to No. 3, and now finding a new QB1 in the first round isn’t guaranteed. But Daniel Jones is gone and Drew Lock is a free agent, so the Giants have to do something to clean up one of the worst passing games in the league. New York will be weighing all options, and it might ultimately be forced to trade up into the top two to get its guy. But here, Sanders falls into the Giants’ lap without any extra moves.

    “Sanders is super accurate, completing 74% of his throws this season. He could step in right away and lift the entire offense, including standout 2024 first-rounder Malik Nabers.”

    Sanders began his collegiate career at Jackson State, where he played for two years and was named the SWAC Freshman of the Year in 2021 and the SWAC Offensive Player of the Year in 2022.

    The talented young quarterback then transferred to Colorado, where he put together back-to-back strong campaigns for the Buffaloes.

    Sanders completed 69.3 percent of his passes for 3,230 yards, 27 touchdowns and just three interceptions across 11 games as a junior in 2023. This past season, he completed an impressive 74.0 percent of his passes for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

    His 2024 performance led to him being named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in addition to being selected as the recipient of the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s top upperclassman quarterback.

    Here are Kiper’s predictions for the first five picks in this year’s draft.

    1. Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward, QB, Miami
    2. Cleveland Browns – Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
    3. New York Giants – Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
    4. New England Patriots – Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State
    5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Mason Graham, DT, Michigan



    The highly anticipated 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner, and draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has released his first mock draft of the season. As always, Kiper’s predictions are sure to spark debate and speculation among football fans everywhere.

    In Kiper’s latest mock draft, he has projected that the top overall pick will be quarterback Trevor Lawrence from Clemson. Lawrence has been a standout player throughout his college career and is widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft class.

    Following Lawrence, Kiper has predicted that defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux from Oregon will be selected second overall. Thibodeaux is a dominant pass rusher with a rare combination of size, speed, and athleticism.

    Rounding out the top five picks in Kiper’s mock draft are offensive tackle Evan Neal from Alabama, wide receiver Chris Olave from Ohio State, and linebacker Nakobe Dean from Georgia.

    Of course, it’s important to remember that mock drafts are just projections and can change dramatically as the draft approaches. But for now, Mel Kiper Jr.’s first 2025 mock draft provides an exciting glimpse into what the future may hold for these talented young prospects. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the draft season heats up.

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  • 2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper releases Top 10 QB rankings ahead of CFP Quarterfinals

    2025 NFL Draft: Mel Kiper releases Top 10 QB rankings ahead of CFP Quarterfinals


    Six quarterbacks were selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, tying the 1983 draft for the most QBs ever taken in a single round. While not as many QBs might hear their names called in the upcoming draft, there’s undoubtedly a hunger for QB talent in the NFL.

    Luckily for organizations across the country, this year’s draft class will include another healthy portion of elite QBs. On Thursday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. revealed his Top 10 quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft class.

    The NFL draft insider left no stone unturned, including quarterbacks from all of the Power Four conferences. Let’s dive into Kiper’s updated rankings.

    Shedeur Sanders maintained his No. 1 spot in Kiper’s rankings this week. The Colorado QB completed 74.2% of his pass attempts this season, the highest completion percentage in the country, for 3,926 passing yards and 35 touchdowns.

    “I’m always impressed watching him throw on the move, rolling either left or right,” Kiper wrote. “He is very accurate in those spots and has the arm to drive the ball. When his mechanics and footwork are sound, he can pick apart a defense. And while he’s not necessarily a major rushing threat, he can keep the chains moving with his legs when there is an opening.”

    Cam Ward WF 2
    (Neil Gershman-Zooba Images)

    Cam Ward transferred to Miami this past offseason and made the most of his opportunity in the spotlight. Ward finished the 2024 regular season with 4,123 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, the most in the nation.

    Moreover, he was extremely accurate, only throwing seven interceptions on 435 pass attempts this season. While Ward didn’t walk away with the Heisman Trophy, he won the ACC Player of the Year Award and set the Miami program single-season record for passing yards and touchdowns.

    Jalen Milroe is the most dangerous running threat on Kiper’s list. The Alabama QB notched 719 yards and 20 touchdowns in the ground game this season. Alas, his passing was often inconsistent, ultimately throwing 10 interceptions compared to 15 touchdowns.

    Milroe’s inconsistencies spelled disaster for the Crimson Tide, who ultimately failed to make the College Football Playoff after falling 24-3 to Oklahoma in Week 13. In the loss, Milroe only completed 11-of-his-25 pass attempts and threw three interceptions.

    Carson Beck is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing elbow surgery to repair a UCL injury he suffered in Georgia’s win over Texas in the SEC Championship. Nonetheless, Kiper is confident that a team will take a chance on Beck in the draft.

    In fairness, Beck has given NFL scouts no shortage of film to review. Beck finished this season with 3,485 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 picks. Beck looked particularly keyed-in down the stretch, recording 11 passing touchdowns across UGA’s final three games of the regular season.

    Quinn Ewers
    Quinn Ewers (Will Gallagher/Inside Texas)

    It’s been a tumultuous season for Quinn Ewers but his talent is undeniable. The junior QB missed almost a month for the Longhorns after suffering an abdominal strain in UT’s Week 3 win over UTSA. When he came back, he still wasn’t in the clear, with some fans calling for Arch Manning to remain the team’s QB1.

    Alas, Ewers shut out the noise, currently boasting 2,867 passing yards and 28 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. While Ewers’ numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, he has a mental toughness that few other QBs in this year’s draft class can match.

    Indiana was one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign, reaching the CFP in its first season under head coach Curt Cignetti. While Cignetti deserves his flowers, the Hoosiers’ success wouldn’t have been possible without Rourke.

    Rourke exploded for 3,042 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, in contrast to just five interceptions this season. In a veteran QB draft class, Rourke was one of the most experienced. He has six collegiate seasons under his belt, including four as a starter.

    Speaking of experience, Jaxson Dart cemented his name in the Ole Miss history books this season, shattering Eli Manning’s longstanding record for the career passing yards in program history. Dart racked up 10,163 passing yards and 68 touchdowns over his three-year career at Ole Miss.

    In the 2024 campaign, Dart recorded career-highs of 3,875 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. His 322.9 passing yards per game were the most in the SEC. With great size and above-average arm strength, Dart could be an enticing option for NFL teams on Day 2 of the draft.

    Dillon Gabriel-Oregon
    (Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

    While Travis Hunter ultimately walked away with the Heisman Trophy, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was the highest-voted quarterback, finishing third in the voting. College football experts’ praise for Gabriel is no coincidence.

    In his first season at Oregon, Gabriel led the Ducks to a perfect 12-0 regular season record, a Big Ten championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the CFP. With over 18,423 passing yards and 70 touchdowns on his collegiate résumé, Gabriel knows how to pick apart a defense better than perhaps any other quarterback in this year’s draft class.

    Kyle McCord turned heads this past offseason when he decided to leave his starting role at Ohio State to transfer to Syracuse. However, he quickly silenced any doubters, collecting a nation-high 4,326 passing yards, to go with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

    While McCord’s build isn’t ideal, he’s more than capable of slinging the football and may prove to be a serious option for a team looking to take a risk. After all, he wouldn’t be the first later-round QB to succeed when given the chance.

    Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough rounded out Kiper’s Top 10 quarterbacks this week but he shouldn’t be overlooked. Shough tallied 3,195 passing yards and 23 touchdowns this season while only tossing six interceptions.

    Standing at 6-foot-5, there’s no area of the field Shough can’t see from the pocket. Moreover, he’s mobile too, able to make the defense pay if they give him enough open space to take off.



    As we head into the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, draft guru Mel Kiper has released his highly anticipated Top 10 quarterback rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft. With several standout quarterbacks vying for the top spot, Kiper’s rankings are sure to ignite debate among fans and analysts alike.

    Here is a look at Kiper’s Top 10 quarterback rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft:

    1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
    2. Justin Fields, Ohio State
    3. Sam Howell, North Carolina
    4. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
    5. Kedon Slovis, USC
    6. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
    7. Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA
    8. Jayden Daniels, Arizona State
    9. Malik Willis, Liberty
    10. Carson Strong, Nevada

    With the race for the top quarterback prospect heating up, all eyes will be on these talented signal-callers as they look to solidify their draft stock in the upcoming playoff games. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis from Mel Kiper as we inch closer to the 2025 NFL Draft.

    Tags:

    2025 NFL Draft, Mel Kiper, Top 10 QB rankings, CFP Quarterfinals, NFL Draft prospects, quarterback rankings, college football playoffs, NFL Draft predictions, expert analysis, football draft analysis

    #NFL #Draft #Mel #Kiper #releases #Top #rankings #ahead #CFP #Quarterfinals

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