Mel Kiper Drops A Shocking No. 2 Pick In His Latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft (VIDEO)

Mel Kiper certainly knows how to get people talking about him.

The latest 2021 NFL mock draft from ESPN’s Mel Kiper has the predictable selection of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but things got crazier after that.

While a lot of people would naturally have Justin Fields going No. 2 overall in the draft, Kiper completely passed on him and put Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith in that spot.

Kiper’s explanation:

“This is where the intrigue in the draft begins. Will the Jets stick with quarterback Sam Darnold for another year, or will they take Zach Wilson or Justin Fields? (Or maybe even trade for Deshaun Watson?) The good news for general manager Joe Douglas and new coach Robert Saleh is that they have three months to figure it out. This is a huge decision, and Douglas and Saleh have to be 100% sure that Wilson or Fields is an upgrade over Darnold.

My feeling right now is that yes, Darnold’s stats are ugly, but he’s only 23 and he has had no offensive talent around him for three years. Do the Jets really want to move on from him and watch him thrive elsewhere? That’s why they could give him a one-year audition under Saleh, pick the Heisman Trophy winner at No. 2, and give Darnold one more shot to put all of his talent together. Smith is the true No. 1 target Darnold hasn’t had.”