Kiper's 2018 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 (Mo Hurst #22 overall to Buffalo)
As with every major sports writer, I know there are mixed feeling on this board about Mel Kiper Jr., but he's still probably one of the most recognizable names in the business for mock drafts
Kiper has one Wolverine going in the 1st round with DT Mo Hurst @ pick #22 to the Buffalo Bills with the following:
The Bills picked up this extra pick when the Chiefs traded up to draft Patrick Mahomes last year, and they ended up with back-to-back picks after a surprise playoff season. Hurst is a 3-technique penetrator who gets into the backfield and gets after quarterbacks. He's a perfect fit for a 4-3 team, and the Bills need pass-rushers. They had only 27 sacks in 2017, which ranked 29th in the league. Buffalo is a team to watch for the second tier of quarterbacks because Tyrod Taylor's future is up in the air.
Other notables:
-
Top 3:
- #1 CLE Browns: QB Josh Allen (Wyoming)
- #2 NY Giants: QB Josh Rosen (UCLA)
- #3 IND Colts: DE Bradley Chubb (NC State)
-
Big Ten/Rivals
-
Ohio State (3):
- #9 SF 49ers: CB Denzel Ward
- #20 DET Lions: DE Sam Hubbard
- #24 CAR Panthers: C Billy Price
-
Notre Dame (2):
- #7 TB Bucs: OG Quenton Nelson
- #11 MIA Dolphins: OT Mike McGlinchey
-
Penn State (1):
- #4 CLE Browns: RB Saquon Barkley
-
Iowa (1):
- #15 ARI Cardinals: CB Josh Jackson
-
Ohio State (3):
January 18th, 2018 at 5:31 PM ^
Wow I don't follow draft projections at all, but that seems quite low.
January 18th, 2018 at 7:30 PM ^
From the scouting reports I have seen on Mo Hurst, it seems like he is mostly being mocked low for his size (6'2" 280lbs). Scouts love Hurst initial burst, and his ability to blow past college O-linemen, but at the same time are wary of Hurst's ability to continue to do it in the NFL where the O-Linemen can react a lot faster.
So there is doubt that Hurst can fight through initial contact as easily in the pros where he is relatively undersized as a DT.
January 19th, 2018 at 8:24 AM ^
I do not get this take. Aaron Donald is 6'1"/280 lbs and is one of the most dominant DT in the game. His size shouldn't be an issue when you play THAT good.
January 19th, 2018 at 8:54 AM ^
I agree with your sentiment. Mo's production was off the charts and he was as consistent as possible.
And Aaron Donald is a great comparison with size/skill/production who was overlooked. Louis Riddick has also called Donald not only one of the best DT in the game, but one of, if not THE, best DEFENDER in the NFL.
I'd love for NFL scouts to learn their lesson and show Mo, ahem, mo' love.
January 18th, 2018 at 5:32 PM ^
I saw another mock that had Big Mo going to the Colts at #3 overall.
Kiper doesn't know everything (but he certainly THINKS he does).
January 18th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 5:35 PM ^
If he is available at 14 and the Packers don't pick him, I will be furious.
January 18th, 2018 at 5:38 PM ^
Kiper has Allen listed number 1 overall which already nullifies most of this mock. I think Hurst will go in the 10-20 range.
January 18th, 2018 at 7:16 PM ^
Honestly I could see it... Mel Kiper offers a reasonable explanation. In his mind, none of the projected top-3 QBs are home-run, no-brainer picks for the Browns.
Josh Rosen has a significant injury history already with the season-ending shoulder injury in 2016, and two concussions in 2017. Plus, Rosen has been heavily rumored to do whatever is necessary to not end up in Cleveland (ex: Eli Manning and Chargers), which is supposedly coupled by the Browns front office not like Rosen's overall personality/attitude. Both Sam Darnold and Josh Allen have bad throwing mechanics that could take a while to fix, but Darnold is far riskier with the ball.
So in the end, the difference/risk/reward between the 3 options is minimal to Kiper, and he went with the prospect that he believes has the highest ceiling from a purely physical standpoint (6'5" 240lbs).
Also... it is the Cleveland Browns.
January 18th, 2018 at 5:41 PM ^
Sam Hubbard before Mo Hurst? C'mon man.
January 19th, 2018 at 9:01 AM ^
I would be so pissed if the Lions took Hubbard over Mo. Don't even think Hubbard is that good, Ansah and Zettel are better and still pretty young..
January 18th, 2018 at 5:46 PM ^
There is no way I spend the #2 pick on Rosen with that concussion.
Giants are a team that could use a development QB & a great RB. If I'm them it's Barkley or see what offers come in. With the way the league is about "brain injury" now, Rosen has a huge potential as a wasted top pick.
January 18th, 2018 at 11:25 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 5:50 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:04 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 5:59 PM ^
top 10 makes sense. can't see him dropping below 15.
January 18th, 2018 at 6:02 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:02 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:04 PM ^
despite not being in the theoretical top 32 players available in the draft, I am sure there will be 4-6 QBs taken in the 1st round as everyone looks for their franchise QB
January 18th, 2018 at 6:03 PM ^
since trading Marcell Dareus to the Jags. Not sure Mo will be available that far down, but the Bills have a lot of draft capital so it's also possible they could move up to grab him
January 18th, 2018 at 6:06 PM ^
That would be a steal.
January 18th, 2018 at 6:08 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:10 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:22 PM ^
He has Cleveland taking a QB from Wyoming #1 overall. So, yeah...
January 18th, 2018 at 6:24 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:36 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 6:57 PM ^
ugh. mock drafts. i hate this time of year.
January 18th, 2018 at 7:04 PM ^
Won't the next round of mocks be out tomorrow? Or are they updated hourly now?
January 18th, 2018 at 7:19 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 8:36 PM ^
I agree. There is no way they will do that. He's no better than Darnold by any measure and you simply have to go with the big name and pedigree, charismatic leader in their situation. Absent some major talent gap betwee the two.
Rosen already made his bed regarding Cleveland. Rosen is Rosen. Gifted, passing savant, but kind of a hot house flower who needs attention. NY is perfect for him.
Cleveland doesn't go Darnold and it's time to fold that franchise.
January 18th, 2018 at 8:40 PM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 10:31 PM ^
And Allen is another Brock Osweiler or Jamarcus Russell. He's tall and has a big arm and people think they're gonna mold him into a franchise QB. Ain't gonna happen
January 19th, 2018 at 3:10 AM ^
January 18th, 2018 at 8:46 PM ^
January 19th, 2018 at 11:02 AM ^