Powered by On3

Mel Kiper releases third NFL mock draft following initial wave of free agency

275133747_4796292347117549_592518599057046758_nby:Jonathan Wagner•03/22/22•

Jonathan Wagner

On3 image
Chris McGrath via Getty Images.

This offseason has been an unforgettable one in the NFL. Multiple star players have found themselves on the mood, and many teams have made franchise-altering transactions during the early portions of free agency. Following the initial wave of free agency, ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper has released his NFL mock draft 3.0, featuring some significant changes throughout his projected first round.

While quarterbacks get a lot of the attention, the rest of this draft class has been seriously shaken up in Kiper’s latest NFL mock. There is a new top overall selection, which caused ripple effects throughout the entirety of the first round. It’s important to note that free agency is far from over, and there are still plenty of changes to be made across the league. But here is Kiper’s latest NFL mock draft.

Kiper’s NFL mock draft 3.0

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson
  2. Detroit Lions: Notre Dame S Kyle Hamilton
  3. Houston Texans: NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu
  4. New York Jets: USC WR Drake London
  5. New York Giants: Alabama OT Evan Neal
  6. Carolina Panthers: Georgia DE Travon Walker
  7. New York Giants (via CHI): Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
  8. Atlanta Falcons: Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson
  9. Seattle Seahawks (via DEN): Mississippi State OT Charles Cross
  10. New York Jets (via SEA): Cincinnati CB Ahmad Gardner
  11. Washington Commanders: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
  12. Minnesota Vikings: Washington CB Trent McDuffie
  13. Houston Texans (via CLE): Georgia DT Jordan Davis
  14. Baltimore Ravens: Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
  15. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA): Florida State DE Jermaine Johnson II
  16. Philadelphia Eagles (via IND): Ohio State WR Chris Olave
  17. Los Angeles Chargers: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning
  18. New Orleans Saints: Pitt QB Kenny Pickett
  19. Philadelphia Eagles: Utah LB Devin Lloyd
  20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Liberty QB Malik Willis
  21. New England Patriots: Alabama WR Jameson Williams
  22. Green Bay Packers (via LV): Texas A&M OG Kenyon Green
  23. Arizona Cardinals: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt
  24. Dallas Cowboys: Tulsa OT/G Tyler Smith
  25. Buffalo Bills: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson
  26. Tennessee Titans: Boston College OG/C Zion Johnson
  27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Iowa State RB Breece Hall
  28. Green Bay Packers: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
  29. Miami Dolphins (via SF): Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
  30. Kansas City Chiefs: Purdue DE George Karlaftis
  31. Cincinnati Bengals: UConn DT Travis Jones
  32. Detroit Lions (via LAR): Ole Miss QB Matt Corral

Kiper’s latest NFL mock includes three first round quarterbacks, with none going before 18th overall. The first quarterback taken is Kenny Pickett, even after the Saints re-signed Jameis Winston to a two-year deal. Malik Willis and Matt Corral are also selected in the opening round. Kiper also has six wide receivers going in the first round, including two cracking the top ten. A running back also slides into the first round, with Breece Hall going to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers re-signed Leonard Fournette just after the mock was released, but could still address their depth at the position in the draft.