Mel Kiper names LSU DT Mekhi Wingo 2024 NFL Draft sleeper

Mekhi Wingo received his flowers on Monday. During an episode of “First Draft,” Mel Kiper and Field Yates raved about the LSU defensive tackle and his NFL potential.

“Obviously, LSU’s defense was terrible this past year, but he was one of the bright spots,” Yates said of Wingo. “This kid is built like a fire hydrant. He is a low-center-of-gravity defensive tackle, but he is relentless.

“Seven and a half sacks over the past two seasons for Mekhi Wingo. Four and a half of them were this past year. And as I mentioned, he’s relentless. He’s tough. He gets underneath opposing offensive guards. He has the ability to collapse some pockets.”

Wingo collapsed his fair share of pockets this past season. In the 2023 campaign, Wingo tallied 25 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Standing at 6-foot-1, 295 pounds, Wingo is a battering ram that few offensive lines can withstand.

Wingo finished his collegiate career with 95 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, four passes defensed, one forced fumble and one interception. Wingo announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Jan. 2, only one day after LSU defeated Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

Yates isn’t the only one who believes Wingo is capable of big things at the next level.

“He’s got the presence. He has the ability to go in and wreak some havoc,” Kiper said. “Bottom line is when he’s 100% and he’s out there playing, he is a guy in that backfield, quick out of the blocks.”

In his latest NFL Big Board, Kiper listed Wingo as the No. 10 defensive tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft. Yates gave fans a more specific expectation of where Wingo might land on draft night.

“Mekhi Wingo was one of the more annoying defensive tackles for opposing offensive linemen to block because even if he’s not getting a sack, he’s totally compromising the way that your quarterback is able to navigate the pocket,” Yates added.

“I don’t know exactly the range here for Mekhi Wingo. Maybe it’s an early third round pick, maybe a little bit later because of the fact that he is not, in terms of stature, on the same level as the two guys that we talked about before this, but Mekhi Wingo has got a future in the NFL and it’s very bright.”

The 2024 NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, with the first round on Thursday, April 25, the second and third rounds on Friday, April 26, and the fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, April 27.