The 2024 NFL Draft is here, and for the 40th year in a row, Mel Kiper will be appearing on ESPN’s annual draft coverage. Widely credited for establishing mock drafting, Kiper’s legacy will continue once again in 2024.
How Old Is Mel Kiper Jr.?
Born July 25, 1960, Kiper is 63 years old, turning 64 this summer. Considering he’s been involved with the NFL Draft since the 1980s, Kiper has been around the event for nearly two-thirds of his life.
Kiper’s Career Timeline
At just 23 years old, Kiper began covering the NFL Draft for ESPN in 1984.
ESPN says Kiper started analyzing college football players and drafts even earlier in the 1970s. Kiper himself said that as a high school student, he approached then-Baltimore Colts general manager Ernie Accorsi with draft reports.
The original contract he signed with ESPN was worth $400.
However, it wasn’t until 1994 that Kiper gained his claim to fame.
After the Indianapolis Colts traded up to the fifth overall pick and didn’t select quarterback Trent Dilfer, Kiper ripped the team.
“Who the hell is Mel Kiper anyway?” then-general manager Bill Tobin responded, putting Kiper immediately on the map.
Kiper frequently releases mock drafts through the offseason, and he also creates a “big board” every year, ranking the best players in each draft.
In addition to ESPN’s annual draft coverage, Kiper makes frequent appearances on “SportsCenter,” “NFL Live,” and other shows. He also is the president of Kiper Enterprises, which he founded in 1981 while in college.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
ESPN shares that Kiper’s year-long research includes watching 20 to 25 college games every week. He also gathers in-depth knowledge through discussions with coaches, players, and team executives from college and the NFL.
Besides his willingness to slam decisions made by NFL teams, Kiper is especially known for his accuracy. He’s faced criticism for low accuracy in his predictions and rankings, however, despite public perception, ESPN claims he is one of the most accurate in the business, “often as high as 80 percent correct in his first-round selections.”
After his lowly initial earnings, Kiper now makes over $100,000 per year since the mid-2000s.
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!