Mel Kiper reveals new spots for Dax Hill, David Ojabo in latest mock
ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his latest mock draft on Wednesday morning with updated spots for a few Michigan football prospects. EDGE rusher Aidan Hutchinson still leads the way with the No. 1 overall designation to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Despite buzz in league circles that Georgia’s Travon Walker could be pushing for the No. 1 spot, Kiper is sticking to his ranking. He sees Hutchinson as the best prospect in the draft.
“There’s really no need to overthink things here,” Kiper said. “Hutchinson is the best prospect in this class — an edge rusher who could average 12 sacks a year for a decade — and he plays a premier position. He could play as a stand-up outside linebacker or hand-in-the-dirt end for the Jaguars, meeting quarterbacks in the backfield with 2019 first-rounder Josh Allen.”
Kiper is also growing fonder of defensive back Daxton Hill, saying he has shot up his rankings and mocking him No. 25 overall to the Buffalo Bills.
“I just moved Hill way up on my Big Board,” Kiper said. “NFL teams love his versatility — he played more than 550 snaps at nickelback in 2021 — and think he could play both corner and safety. He might be a slot corner if he ends up in Buffalo, which lost Levi Wallace in free agency and has Tre’Davious White returning from an ACL tear. Andrew Booth Jr. (Clemson) and Kyler Gordon (Washington) are two other corners to keep an eye on. The Bills have one of the best rosters in the league.”
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Mel Kiper weighs in on David Ojabo
Hutchinson’s EDGE-mate, David Ojabo, has been under the microscope since tearing his Achilles at Michigan’s pro day. He was safely considered a first-round prospect at that point, but his stock has taken a hit due to the injury. Kiper does not see his fall lasting too long into the second round.
Detroit Lions fans in the area are hoping that Hutchinson falls to them at No. 2, but Kiper projects they will pick up the other Michigan EDGE prospect at No. 34 overall. Detroit’s first two picks were Ahmad Gardner at No. 2 and safety Lewis Cine at No. 32.
“Ojabo is my top-ranked outside linebacker, even after he tore his Achilles last month and could miss most of the season,” Kiper said. “If the Lions are thinking long-term, they could get a steal with a high-ceiling edge rusher.”
The 2022 NFL Draft will be held from April 28-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The first round is set for Thursday night with second and third rounds taking place Friday. The event concludes on Saturday with rounds four through seven. The event will be broadcast via ESPN and NFL Network.
