ESPN’s Mel Kiper has a new mock draft, and he doesn’t wait long to make a shocking selection.
In Kiper’s updated first-round projection, the first three picks are familiar enough, with Michigan edge defender Aidan Hutchinson (Jacksonville Jaguars), Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (Detroit Lions) and North Carolina State offensive lineman Ickey Ekwonu (Houston Texans) coming off the board to kick things off.
Then comes the curveball, as Kiper sends USC wide receiver Drake London to the New York Jets at No. 4 overall.
After lauding the Jets’ ability to fill many of their biggest needs with economical veterans in free agency, Kiper explains why London is the pick:
They haven’t yet added an outside wide receiver to help Zach Wilson, though, which means they could be eyeing one with either of their top-10 picks. They could get their choice of the best receiver in the class here, and really, if they want to take one, there’s no need to wait.
There’s no denying the Jets’ need for a true No. 1 receiver with London’s size and skill set, and he could indeed make a strong case as the best receiver in an extremely deep class. That said, it’s hard to imagine the Jets passing up the likes of Oregon edge defender Kayvon Thibodeaux, Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal, or Georgia edge defender Travon Walker in the top five, especially when there’s a strong chance London could still be on the board when they pick again at No. 10 overall.
Thibodeaux falls to the New York Giants at No. 7 overall in Kiper’s latest mock, while the Atlanta Falcons pass on this year’s top quarterbacks in favor of the next pass-catcher off the board, Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson.
Other surprise picks in Kiper’s new projections include Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith (No. 24 overall, Dallas Cowboys), Iowa State running back Breece Hall (No. 27 overall, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and UConn defensive lineman Travis Jones (No. 31 overall, Cincinnati Bengals).
To check out Kiper’s full first-round mock at ESPN.com, click here.
