Each year the NFL Draft rolls around, it is Mel Kiper Jr.’s time to shine. The draft guru has been covering drafts for ESPN since 1984, and his verbose language and rapid speech aren’t the only things that solidify him as a legend in football media. The accuracy and insight Kiper provides year in and year out on the future talent of football shows the work ethic and skill level Kiper brings to the table.
Ex-NFL Players Perplexed by Kiper’s Accuracy on Scouting Reports
Pre-draft scouting reports of three NFL players recently resurfaced from Kiper’s archives. Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears, and Chris Canty relived good times when they saw what the scouting sage once said about them.
What a throwback pull. Pretty accurate too
The fella @mspears96
Made it—somehow 🙏 https://t.co/qnl5ahfUbq
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7)
The lengthy reports for both Orlovsky and Spears were uncovered by fellow ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid. Orlovsky’s reaction showed just how surprised he was to see it again. The former Detroit Lion also confirmed how accurate Kiper’s report turned out to be.
.@MelKiperESPN shared the 2005 evaluation he had on @ChrisCanty99 for the NFL Draft 😮 pic.twitter.com/E7vyaGzHZ6
— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN)
Kiper also revealed his 2005 evaluation for Canty during a segment of “Unsportsmanlike.”
It was 20 years ago that Canty was drafted 132nd overall in the fourth round. Kiper’s draft profile on him left the former defensive lineman speechless.
“First of all, I had Chris going 65, first pick in the third round to the 49ers,” Kiper said. “Had him as my 52nd highest-rated player on the big board. The final evaluation started out, the first line was, a real force as a junior, early into the ’04 season before a knee injury prematurely ended his college career.”
Kiper continued, “I got into all the great things that Chris did, which I’m not going to bore you with now, but he did a lot of great things.”
As Kiper kept reading the profile, the 11-year NFL veteran could only laugh.
“It’s pretty accurate,” Canty said. “I mean, my junior year I had 100 tackles. Pretty accurate.”
Kiper’s Recent Mock Draft for 2025 Class
While Kiper may not have nailed Canty’s exact draft position in 2005, his scouting report was spot on. With less than a week to go before the 2025 NFL Draft, let’s take a look at who Kiper sees going in the first five picks.
Quarterback Cam Ward continues to show up as the consensus No. 1 overall pick, and Kiper also sees him going first.
With Cleveland now rostering three experienced quarterbacks, Kiper predicts Travis Hunter will be the next name off the board.
At No. 3, it’s Penn State’s Abdul Carter heading to the New York Giants. With Hunter off the board, Kiper sees Carter as “the best player on the board” by the time the third pick rolls around.
Tackle Will Campbell goes next, as New England looks to bolster its offensive line. Kiper believes adding the LSU product would give young quarterback Drake Maye more time to work in the pocket.
At No. 5, Kiper sticks with his previous projections and sees Mason Graham heading to Jacksonville. With the Jaguars’ defense underwhelming last year, Kiper believes grabbing a leader here is crucial.
We’ll find out soon whether Kiper’s top five is as sharp as his former scouting reports when the draft kicks off next week in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
