NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Texas Longhorns scores a touchdown pass against Elijah Jackson #25 of the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter of the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 1, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images.)Getty Images
Mel Kiper’s sights are focused on Texas in his inaugural ESPN 2024 NFL mock draft Round 1 predictions. Two players were suggested, but he only selected one as a first-round pick.
Kiper believes wide receiver Adonai Mitchell will be selected by the Buffalo Bills at No. 28. He chose Mitchell after seeing Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen average 4.8 yards per attempt in a home playoff defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“His receivers struggled to get open and didn’t make enough plays after the catch once they did,” Kiper said. “…. General manager Brandon Beane can find a useful pass-catcher here.”
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He believes it should be the former Longhorn: “The 6-foot-4 Mitchell broke out after transferring from Georgia, catching 55 passes for 845 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Longhorns in 2023.” He thrived on crossing routes, using his size and agility to get away from defenders. He has excellent hands.
Kiper had meant to place a different guy — but also a Longhorn — at No. 28.
“I made a late change with this pick,” he wrote in an email. “…. The position I almost chose? T’Vondre Sweat (Texas), a nose tackle, could be an excellent match for Buffalo’s defense.
