Way-too-early NFL mock drafts range from no Miami Hurricanes going in the first round to as many as three

If you’re a Miami Hurricanes football fan, then you’re also rooting for Bleacher Report to be correct in its way-too-early assessment of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Their projection has safety Kam Kinchens going to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 24, then DT Leonard Taylor getting taken by the Buffalo Bills at No. 28 with OT Zion Nelson just squeezing into Round 1 at No. 32 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

If that actually does happen it would be the first time since 2007 Miami puts three players into that opening round (back then it was S Brandon Meriweather at No. 24, LB Jon Beason No. 25 and TE Greg Olsen No. 31).

Taylor going in the first round by the way, would also give Miami a first round defensive tackle for the first time since all the way back in 2004 when Vince Wilfork went at pick No. 21.

Three first round picks would also equal ALL the draft picks the team had regardless of round this year, with CB Tyrique Stevenson in the second round followed by Will Mallory in the fifth round and DJ Ivey in the seventh.

Miami last had multiple first rounders in 2021 with DL Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau, and prior to that the most recent time UM placed two of its players in Round 1 was 2015 with OL Ereck Flowers at No. 9 and WR Phillip Dorsett No. 29.

Bleacher Report had this to say about the trio it put in the opening round:

Kinchens: “Kinchens and Trevon Diggs would be a quarterback’s nightmare, as every ball in the air would become a turnover threat.”

Taylor: “He already has great size at 6’3″ and 305 pounds, and he’s racked up 19 tackles for loss in two seasons, including 8.5 in only six games in 2021. Taylor’s combination of size and production would give Buffalo the disruptor in the middle of the defense that it’ll likely be looking for.”

Nelson: “He’s been solid in pass protection for the Hurricanes and has a great frame at 6’5″ and 316 pounds. Nelson’s biggest issue is a knee injury that sidelined him for all but one game in 2022. But if he can stay healthy this upcoming season, he’d be a great first-round pick for Kansas City. The Chiefs did just spend a third-round pick on Wanya Morris, but that shouldn’t stop them from making sure Mahomes stays upright.”

Other organizations project Miami with two first-rounders.

Pro Football Focus has Taylor at No. 17 to the Texans and Kinchens at 27 to the Packers.

“This past season, Taylor lived up to his top-10 recruit billing coming out of high school,” PFF wrote. “His 19.5% pass-rush win rate and 16.2% pressure rate trailed only Calijah Kancey among Power Five interior defensive linemen. With an increased workload, Taylor could rise even higher than this.”

Regarding Kinchens, the writeup stated “The Packers acquire the Jets’ first-round pick if Aaron Rodgers plays 65% of the snaps in 2023. Unless disaster strikes for New York, this will be Green Bay’s pick. Kinchens led all safeties in the country with a 90.0 grade and a 90.7 coverage grade. Kinchens’ six interceptions were also tied for the most in the Power Five.”

CBS Sports has just one Miami player in the first round, Taylor at No. 15 to the Giants, while Fox Sports has Taylor as its lone opening round selection going to the hometown Dolphins with pick 22.

“The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Taylor is a disruptive force on the inside for the Hurricanes, and the kid who grew up in Miami would love to stay and play for the Dolphins,” Fox Sports wrote in its analysis.

SBNation? No first rounders for Miami. And the same goes for SaturdayDownSouth’s Matt Hayes and NBC Sports’ projection.

And ESPN’s Todd McShay had just one, Taylor at No. 14 to the Seahawks.

“A former five-star recruit, Taylor flashed during the 2022 season at Miami,” McShay wrote. “Go watch his tape against Virginia to see what he can do – Taylor had 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss in that one. Seattle brought in Derick Hall on Day 2 this year, but it didn’t fix the interior, and GM John Schneider will likely keep building up that defensive line. At 6-foot-3 and 305 pounds, Taylor can help. He has 10 or more tackles for loss in each of his two seasons with the Hurricanes.”

Some players that perhaps might surprise and could be on some lists?

Well, Javion Cohen started at Alabama and has a chance to dominate as a Miami guard. And QB Tyler Van Dyke was projected a first-rounder at this time a year ago by many before suffering a down season. He could also return to form in a new quarterback-friendly offense. Then there’s also a James Williams, who if he puts it all together can be a national star given his size and athleticism.

The post Way-too-early NFL mock drafts range from no Miami Hurricanes going in the first round to as many as three appeared first on On3.