5-02-2026 4:04am

42 YEARS: Essex

Jeff Barto Editor

Mel Kiper Jr.

ESPN Senior NFL Draft Analyst

Mel Kiper Jr. has served as expert analyst for ESPN’s annual NFL Draft coverage since 1984, providing in-depth scouting information on the nation’s most talented collegiate football players. His breadth of knowledge is unmatched and his pre-draft predictions are frequently the most accurate in the business, often as high as 80 percent correct in his first-round selections.

Kiper makes frequent appearances on SportsCenter, NFL Live, co-hosts ESPN Radio’s Dari and Mel, and contributes to ESPN.com. He and fellow analyst Todd McShay can also be heard on the First Draft podcast.

MEL'S FIRST DRAFT VIDEO

Kiper is president of Kiper Enterprises, which he founded in 1981 while in college.

His continuous, year-long research includes watching 20 to 25 college games each week. Observing so many games throughout the season provides Kiper with even more in-depth knowledge, in addition to what he gathers through lengthy discussions with coaches, players and team executives from around the National Football League and within the college ranks.

Kiper’s likeness has also appeared in several video games including ESPN NFL 2K5, NFL Head Coach and Madden NFL 07-08.

Kiper grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, where he attended Essex Community College.

Although he's showing no signs of slowing down, there'll come a point where ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. finally retires from covering the NFL Draft.

Kiper has been anchoring ESPN's coverage of the NFL Draft since 1984. Despite being 65 years old, his energy in the booth is second to none during the draft. It doesn't matter if he's analyzing the No. 1 overall pick or Mr. Irrelevant, he's going to provide in-depth breakdowns for viewers at home.

"His breadth of knowledge is unmatched FINISH READING HERE