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Chat with Mel Kiper
Welcome to SportsNation! On Wednesday, NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. will be by to discuss the college football and NFL seasons.
Kiper has served as expert analyst for ESPN's annual NFL draft coverage since 1984. His pre-draft predictions are frequently the most accurate. On Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon ET, Kiper co-hosts "Dari and Mel" with Dari Nowkhah. He also appears on ESPN Radio's College GameDay as well as SportsCenter and on ESPN.com.
Buzzmaster (1:02 PM)
Mel is here!
Patrick Cleary (New Mexico)
What is the possibility that the steelers trade thier first round pick?
Mel Kiper (1:02 PM)
You always could at the end of the first round. If the right OL or CB or DL isn't there, you could always move down. If they stay where they are, it has to be one of those positions.
Scott (SF)
Hey Mel - love the insight. If Peterson is there at 7, the 49ers HAVE to take him, right? I see no reason why they wouldn't. I have the feeling that somebody in front of them will take him though. Let's say he's not. Would they go with Prince A. there?
Mel Kiper (1:03 PM)
I wouldn't say "have to" but it depends on who else is there. What if Gabbert is there?
Mel Kiper (1:03 PM)
Also, Robert Quinn would have to be in the discussion. They need a 3-4 OLB desperately.
Jamie (Rochester, NY)
Buffalo has the chance to add an impact defensive player at #3 and then get a QB at the top of the 2nd. If they dont move up from there. Miller and Ponder sound like a possibility?
Mel Kiper (1:04 PM)
That's what I think they'll do. I don't think they'll have to take a QB in the first two rounds if they like Fitzpatrick as much as they seem to. If they think he's a winning NFL QB, then you don't even address the QB position. You address the LB position.
Tony (Richmond, CA)
Mel, when do you see the two Carolina linebackers, Sturdivant and Carter, coming off the board?
Mel Kiper (1:04 PM)
They could both be second rounders. At worst third rounders. Day 2 guys.
J Treehorn (Malibu)
What's your prediction for Mark Ingram? Will he fall out of the first round?
Mel Kiper (1:05 PM)
I don't think so. I don't think so. I think he could go as high as 15 to Miami. As low as 32 to Green Bay. New Orleans at 24, New England at 28 and Green Bay at 32 all could consider him at the end of the first.
Jackson (Hillsboro, Oregon)
Is there a strong possibility that San Diego will trade up to Detroit's spot at #13 to take Cameron Jordan if J.J. Watt is off the board?Thanks, Mel!
Mel Kiper (1:06 PM)
I don't see Watt earlier than that right now. I think San Diego will see Watt, Wilkerson or Jordan at 13. I don't think they need tomove.
J (California)
If the Vikings pass on a QB at 12 and don't trade down, will there be any QB's left when they pick in the 2nd round who are rated above Ricky Stanzi?
Mel Kiper (1:08 PM)
Ratings depend on the teams. Every team has different ratings on the players. Maybe they see a Ponder there. Maybe a Ryan Mallet. You could have 7 QBs gone before they pick at 43. They might be shut out at QB if they don't take one at 12.
CC (Atlanta)
Justin Houston to Atlanta @ 27 make sense? Will he still be on the board then?
Mel Kiper (1:08 PM)
He will be there. It's a 4-3 DE. He's intriguing because he flashes pass rush abilities. I think they could look at Adrian Clayborn or Titus Young.
Joey (SC)
What do you see the Redskins doing this draft?
Mel Kiper (1:09 PM)
They need help on the DL. They need a 3-4 DE and OLB. They could look at Quinn, Watt, Jordan. That's what they need to address. And maybe a QB in the early second round, unless they decide to make a move on a veteran.
matt (pa)
Mel are the cards going to draft gabbert or go with the best available player at 5?
Mel Kiper (1:10 PM)
That's the debate. Do you take Gabbert or Patrick Peterson or Quinn? Do you take the big time CB or the QB? Or the DL or the QB? If they decide against Gabbert then they go with Peterson. And that would be because they went with young QBs last year and it didn't work.
will(middlebury,ct) [via mobile]
where do you see martez wilson going? could he be available at 32 and would the packers take him to play olb opposite clay?
Mel Kiper (1:11 PM)
I think he's going to go in the second round. You're splitting hairs between 32-45. Wilson didn't produce as expected his first two years but he came on this year. There is a little bit of risk on a one-year stand out.
Mel Kiper (1:11 PM)
He's a tremendous physical talent though. For a bad year for ILB, he's the best one.
Phil (Dallas)
I'm a huge Miami fan, and I was wondering if you see a Miami player being taken in the first round?
Mel Kiper (1:12 PM)
Orlando Franklin looked like he could be going into the year, but he struggled. He could be a RT or a OG. He had his ups and downs. He's tough, aggressive, super strong. I thought he would be a first rounder going into the year, but now more of a second rounder. I thought Brandon Harris would be, but he had an average year and he's now a second rounder.
Laurie (Moncton, Canada)
Who do you see as a better fit for the Patriots as an OLB prospect - Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan or Akeem Ayers.
Mel Kiper (1:13 PM)
I would say Smith or Kerrigan, not Ayers.
Mel Kiper (1:13 PM)
It seems like indications are they may have an interest in Brooks Reed from Arizona.
Gary (Los Angeles)
Jimmy Smith character issues seem to be going away. Will Lions take him at 13??
Mel Kiper (1:14 PM)
They could. Lions. Houston at 11. I think Jimmy Smith is going to go at worst 23 to Philly or 26 to Baltimore.
Paul (Indianapolis)
Stephen Peae stock seems to be all over the place, what is the earliest and latest you could see him being drafted?
Mel Kiper (1:15 PM)
Earliest would be second round. Latest would be fourth round. He's coming off the knee injury the first day of practice at the Senior Bowl. He had right knee surgery right after that. He had a torn minescus.
Ryan (Seattle)
where do you think Jake locker lands..
Mel Kiper (1:16 PM)
I think he goes in the first round. Trying to figure out which team is anybody's guess. I think Minnesota could trade down from 12 and get him. I could see Cincinnati jumping back into the first and getting him. I think the first, but not sure which team.
Matt (Oxford, Ohio)
Would the Browns be taking a risk by taking Robert Quinn at #6 if he hasn't played in a year? Also, do you think Armand Robinson the wideout for the Miami Redhawks has a chance to be drafted?
Mel Kiper (1:17 PM)
If he had played, he would have been a top 3 pick. You can have some success running right at him, he's coming off a year of inactivity. He had a good year two years ago. 6, 7, 10, 11 are all spots he could go.
Mel Kiper (1:17 PM)
My thing is that I would take Nick Fairley at 6. They need a DT as much as a DE.
Zach (Michigan)
Could you see New England or the Colts drafting a "QB of the future" in this years first round?
Mel Kiper (1:18 PM)
Yeah. I think I could. I could see both teams looking at that. New England has some interest in Jake Locker. Indy might try to find one in the 4-5 rounds. New England took Kevin O'Connell a few years ago. Then you could develop the QB the right way. Let him have time to sit, watch and learn from one of the greats.
Wesley (New York City)
Any other players the Bengals consider at #4 besides Gabbert or Green? I think they'll wait to the 2nd round to try to grab Dalton and it just doesn't seem like WR is the greatest need there.
Mel Kiper (1:19 PM)
Maybe Julio Jones, because there are some teams that like Jones more than Green. But I would think you take Green at that point.
Hep (UT)
Mel - I'm hoping the Bears move up into the early teens to target Castonzo. They invested so much in Cutler wouldn't this make great sense! This really isn't Angelo's M.O. but would it be impossible?
Mel Kiper (1:20 PM)
If you can move up that far. Detroit could consider him at 13. New England could consider him. The Giants at 19. Indy at 22. There are a number of teams that might consider him. But he would be a good fit for the Bears. They went the BC OT route with Marc Columbo a few years ago.
The Situation (Jersey Shore)
Hey Mel, how do you think Dareus compares to recent DTs drafted in the top 10? Is he worthy of the second pick if the Broncos didn't have such a DT need?
Mel Kiper (1:21 PM)
Suh had an astronomical grade for me. McCoy had a high grade too. I just like Suh a little bit more. I don't think Dareus is up to that level. He's not going to carry the same grade.
Mel Kiper (1:22 PM)
Dareus is worthy of being a top pick in the draft, the second or third pick.
cottonjoe (Janesville, WI)
Mel, in your opinion, what will it take for Green Bay to have a successful draft?
Mel Kiper (1:23 PM)
They don't have a lot of holes. They get 19 players back from injury. They had undrafted free agents making an impact this year. They could use an OT. They could use a WR. They would like a return man. That's why I think Titus Young would make sense. RB. You have Grant coming off the injury and Starks.
myles (houston)
Mel, is aldon smith that good where the texans will not pass on him or could you see them trade up to go get petersen if he lasts to #6
Mel Kiper (1:24 PM)
Aldon Smith is one of those guys you're not hearing a lot about. No one is talking him up, but he has a lot of DeMarcus Ware in him. Ware went 11th overall and that's where Houston is picking. I could see him going 11 or even as high as 7 to San Francisco, 10 to Washington, 16 to Jacksonville, 17 to New England. He's a hot guy.
David (Charlotte)
Isn't it more interesting not knowing who the #1 pick will be(because of the cba issue) until its announced at the podium next thursday night? Trust me though I still want it to get done asap.
Mel Kiper (1:25 PM)
Everybody seems to think it will be Cam Newton. That's the way it will go, barring a trade. I think Dareus goes No. 2, Miller No. 3 and Green No. 4. That's how I see it right now.
Namir (Atlanta, GA)
Could Ryan Mallett end up with the Titans in Rd 1?
Mel Kiper (1:26 PM)
He would be a good fit for him. 8 is too early for him. But they have a good OL. He's a pocket passer with a long stride and he would fit in well there. He would have Chris Johnson to lean on.
Curt (NJ)
Who do you have higher: Kaepernick or Dalton? What rounds do you see them going in the draft?
Mel Kiper (1:27 PM)
I have Dalton ahead of Kaepernick. I have Dalton in the late first and Colin in the late second.
Brad (Beverly, Ma)
Am I crazy thinking Ryan Mallett will turn out to be the best QB in this draft?
Mel Kiper (1:28 PM)
Mallett is the fan favorite of this draft. I get more Twitter comments about him than any other player in this draft, hands down. He's a fan favorite. Nobody in this draft has a bigger arm. Nobody is bigger, not even close.
Big Cat (York)
Will the pouncy brothers be reunited with the Steelers and will we see another draft day kiss?
Mel Kiper (1:29 PM)
I think Pouncy goes too high for the Steelers. I think he goes in the middle of the first. Miami at 15, New England at 17, Giants at 19.
Mel Kiper (1:29 PM)
Thanks for all of the questions. We have our pre-draft chat next week. Sorry I have to cut this short, but I have to go run and do TV at 1:30.
Welcome to SportsNation! On Wednesday, NFL draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. will be by to discuss the college football and NFL seasons.
Kiper has served as expert analyst for ESPN's annual NFL draft coverage since 1984. His pre-draft predictions are frequently the most accurate. On Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon ET, Kiper co-hosts "Dari and Mel" with Dari Nowkhah. He also appears on ESPN Radio's College GameDay as well as SportsCenter and on ESPN.com.
Buzzmaster (1:02 PM)
Mel is here!
Patrick Cleary (New Mexico)
What is the possibility that the steelers trade thier first round pick?
Mel Kiper (1:02 PM)
You always could at the end of the first round. If the right OL or CB or DL isn't there, you could always move down. If they stay where they are, it has to be one of those positions.
Scott (SF)
Hey Mel - love the insight. If Peterson is there at 7, the 49ers HAVE to take him, right? I see no reason why they wouldn't. I have the feeling that somebody in front of them will take him though. Let's say he's not. Would they go with Prince A. there?
Mel Kiper (1:03 PM)
I wouldn't say "have to" but it depends on who else is there. What if Gabbert is there?
Mel Kiper (1:03 PM)
Also, Robert Quinn would have to be in the discussion. They need a 3-4 OLB desperately.
Jamie (Rochester, NY)
Buffalo has the chance to add an impact defensive player at #3 and then get a QB at the top of the 2nd. If they dont move up from there. Miller and Ponder sound like a possibility?
Mel Kiper (1:04 PM)
That's what I think they'll do. I don't think they'll have to take a QB in the first two rounds if they like Fitzpatrick as much as they seem to. If they think he's a winning NFL QB, then you don't even address the QB position. You address the LB position.
Tony (Richmond, CA)
Mel, when do you see the two Carolina linebackers, Sturdivant and Carter, coming off the board?
Mel Kiper (1:04 PM)
They could both be second rounders. At worst third rounders. Day 2 guys.
J Treehorn (Malibu)
What's your prediction for Mark Ingram? Will he fall out of the first round?
Mel Kiper (1:05 PM)
I don't think so. I don't think so. I think he could go as high as 15 to Miami. As low as 32 to Green Bay. New Orleans at 24, New England at 28 and Green Bay at 32 all could consider him at the end of the first.
Jackson (Hillsboro, Oregon)
Is there a strong possibility that San Diego will trade up to Detroit's spot at #13 to take Cameron Jordan if J.J. Watt is off the board?Thanks, Mel!
Mel Kiper (1:06 PM)
I don't see Watt earlier than that right now. I think San Diego will see Watt, Wilkerson or Jordan at 13. I don't think they need tomove.
J (California)
If the Vikings pass on a QB at 12 and don't trade down, will there be any QB's left when they pick in the 2nd round who are rated above Ricky Stanzi?
Mel Kiper (1:08 PM)
Ratings depend on the teams. Every team has different ratings on the players. Maybe they see a Ponder there. Maybe a Ryan Mallet. You could have 7 QBs gone before they pick at 43. They might be shut out at QB if they don't take one at 12.
CC (Atlanta)
Justin Houston to Atlanta @ 27 make sense? Will he still be on the board then?
Mel Kiper (1:08 PM)
He will be there. It's a 4-3 DE. He's intriguing because he flashes pass rush abilities. I think they could look at Adrian Clayborn or Titus Young.
Joey (SC)
What do you see the Redskins doing this draft?
Mel Kiper (1:09 PM)
They need help on the DL. They need a 3-4 DE and OLB. They could look at Quinn, Watt, Jordan. That's what they need to address. And maybe a QB in the early second round, unless they decide to make a move on a veteran.
matt (pa)
Mel are the cards going to draft gabbert or go with the best available player at 5?
Mel Kiper (1:10 PM)
That's the debate. Do you take Gabbert or Patrick Peterson or Quinn? Do you take the big time CB or the QB? Or the DL or the QB? If they decide against Gabbert then they go with Peterson. And that would be because they went with young QBs last year and it didn't work.
will(middlebury,ct) [via mobile]
where do you see martez wilson going? could he be available at 32 and would the packers take him to play olb opposite clay?
Mel Kiper (1:11 PM)
I think he's going to go in the second round. You're splitting hairs between 32-45. Wilson didn't produce as expected his first two years but he came on this year. There is a little bit of risk on a one-year stand out.
Mel Kiper (1:11 PM)
He's a tremendous physical talent though. For a bad year for ILB, he's the best one.
Phil (Dallas)
I'm a huge Miami fan, and I was wondering if you see a Miami player being taken in the first round?
Mel Kiper (1:12 PM)
Orlando Franklin looked like he could be going into the year, but he struggled. He could be a RT or a OG. He had his ups and downs. He's tough, aggressive, super strong. I thought he would be a first rounder going into the year, but now more of a second rounder. I thought Brandon Harris would be, but he had an average year and he's now a second rounder.
Laurie (Moncton, Canada)
Who do you see as a better fit for the Patriots as an OLB prospect - Aldon Smith, Ryan Kerrigan or Akeem Ayers.
Mel Kiper (1:13 PM)
I would say Smith or Kerrigan, not Ayers.
Mel Kiper (1:13 PM)
It seems like indications are they may have an interest in Brooks Reed from Arizona.
Gary (Los Angeles)
Jimmy Smith character issues seem to be going away. Will Lions take him at 13??
Mel Kiper (1:14 PM)
They could. Lions. Houston at 11. I think Jimmy Smith is going to go at worst 23 to Philly or 26 to Baltimore.
Paul (Indianapolis)
Stephen Peae stock seems to be all over the place, what is the earliest and latest you could see him being drafted?
Mel Kiper (1:15 PM)
Earliest would be second round. Latest would be fourth round. He's coming off the knee injury the first day of practice at the Senior Bowl. He had right knee surgery right after that. He had a torn minescus.
Ryan (Seattle)
where do you think Jake locker lands..
Mel Kiper (1:16 PM)
I think he goes in the first round. Trying to figure out which team is anybody's guess. I think Minnesota could trade down from 12 and get him. I could see Cincinnati jumping back into the first and getting him. I think the first, but not sure which team.
Matt (Oxford, Ohio)
Would the Browns be taking a risk by taking Robert Quinn at #6 if he hasn't played in a year? Also, do you think Armand Robinson the wideout for the Miami Redhawks has a chance to be drafted?
Mel Kiper (1:17 PM)
If he had played, he would have been a top 3 pick. You can have some success running right at him, he's coming off a year of inactivity. He had a good year two years ago. 6, 7, 10, 11 are all spots he could go.
Mel Kiper (1:17 PM)
My thing is that I would take Nick Fairley at 6. They need a DT as much as a DE.
Zach (Michigan)
Could you see New England or the Colts drafting a "QB of the future" in this years first round?
Mel Kiper (1:18 PM)
Yeah. I think I could. I could see both teams looking at that. New England has some interest in Jake Locker. Indy might try to find one in the 4-5 rounds. New England took Kevin O'Connell a few years ago. Then you could develop the QB the right way. Let him have time to sit, watch and learn from one of the greats.
Wesley (New York City)
Any other players the Bengals consider at #4 besides Gabbert or Green? I think they'll wait to the 2nd round to try to grab Dalton and it just doesn't seem like WR is the greatest need there.
Mel Kiper (1:19 PM)
Maybe Julio Jones, because there are some teams that like Jones more than Green. But I would think you take Green at that point.
Hep (UT)
Mel - I'm hoping the Bears move up into the early teens to target Castonzo. They invested so much in Cutler wouldn't this make great sense! This really isn't Angelo's M.O. but would it be impossible?
Mel Kiper (1:20 PM)
If you can move up that far. Detroit could consider him at 13. New England could consider him. The Giants at 19. Indy at 22. There are a number of teams that might consider him. But he would be a good fit for the Bears. They went the BC OT route with Marc Columbo a few years ago.
The Situation (Jersey Shore)
Hey Mel, how do you think Dareus compares to recent DTs drafted in the top 10? Is he worthy of the second pick if the Broncos didn't have such a DT need?
Mel Kiper (1:21 PM)
Suh had an astronomical grade for me. McCoy had a high grade too. I just like Suh a little bit more. I don't think Dareus is up to that level. He's not going to carry the same grade.
Mel Kiper (1:22 PM)
Dareus is worthy of being a top pick in the draft, the second or third pick.
cottonjoe (Janesville, WI)
Mel, in your opinion, what will it take for Green Bay to have a successful draft?
Mel Kiper (1:23 PM)
They don't have a lot of holes. They get 19 players back from injury. They had undrafted free agents making an impact this year. They could use an OT. They could use a WR. They would like a return man. That's why I think Titus Young would make sense. RB. You have Grant coming off the injury and Starks.
myles (houston)
Mel, is aldon smith that good where the texans will not pass on him or could you see them trade up to go get petersen if he lasts to #6
Mel Kiper (1:24 PM)
Aldon Smith is one of those guys you're not hearing a lot about. No one is talking him up, but he has a lot of DeMarcus Ware in him. Ware went 11th overall and that's where Houston is picking. I could see him going 11 or even as high as 7 to San Francisco, 10 to Washington, 16 to Jacksonville, 17 to New England. He's a hot guy.
David (Charlotte)
Isn't it more interesting not knowing who the #1 pick will be(because of the cba issue) until its announced at the podium next thursday night? Trust me though I still want it to get done asap.
Mel Kiper (1:25 PM)
Everybody seems to think it will be Cam Newton. That's the way it will go, barring a trade. I think Dareus goes No. 2, Miller No. 3 and Green No. 4. That's how I see it right now.
Namir (Atlanta, GA)
Could Ryan Mallett end up with the Titans in Rd 1?
Mel Kiper (1:26 PM)
He would be a good fit for him. 8 is too early for him. But they have a good OL. He's a pocket passer with a long stride and he would fit in well there. He would have Chris Johnson to lean on.
Curt (NJ)
Who do you have higher: Kaepernick or Dalton? What rounds do you see them going in the draft?
Mel Kiper (1:27 PM)
I have Dalton ahead of Kaepernick. I have Dalton in the late first and Colin in the late second.
Brad (Beverly, Ma)
Am I crazy thinking Ryan Mallett will turn out to be the best QB in this draft?
Mel Kiper (1:28 PM)
Mallett is the fan favorite of this draft. I get more Twitter comments about him than any other player in this draft, hands down. He's a fan favorite. Nobody in this draft has a bigger arm. Nobody is bigger, not even close.
Big Cat (York)
Will the pouncy brothers be reunited with the Steelers and will we see another draft day kiss?
Mel Kiper (1:29 PM)
I think Pouncy goes too high for the Steelers. I think he goes in the middle of the first. Miami at 15, New England at 17, Giants at 19.
Mel Kiper (1:29 PM)
Thanks for all of the questions. We have our pre-draft chat next week. Sorry I have to cut this short, but I have to go run and do TV at 1:30.