Jamin Davis goes Round 1, Kelvin Joseph Round 2 in Mel Kiper’s new mock draft

The Kentucky Wildcats’ NFL pipeline formed in the Mark Stoops era is expected to continue later this month during the 2021 NFL Draft. Several Wildcats are expected to be selected, but none earlier than linebacker Jamin Davis and cornerback Kelvin Joseph.

In Mel Kiper’s latest NFL mock draft, Davis is a projected first-round pick, while Joseph is predicted to go in the second round.

Kiper pegs Davis as the 26th overall pick of the Cleveland Browns, saying, “He could play any of the linebacker spots for the Cleveland 4-3 defense.” He also believes Davis would be a fit for the Browns even if they sign veteran pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney off the free agent market as expected by many.

As for Joseph, Kiper has him going 40th overall to the Denver Broncos. Kiper praised Joseph’s 40-yard-dash time and ball skills, saying, “Joseph, an LSU transfer, ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.3s at his recent pro day and had four picks last season, his lone year playing at Kentucky.”

In Denver, Joseph could learn under the wings of decorated veterans Ronald Darby and Kyle Fuller, both of whom the team signed in free agency.

If Davis and Joseph go in the first and second rounds as projected, it would be the second time in three years Wildcats have gone in both the first and second round of the same draft. In 2019 Josh Allen was selected in the first round and seventh overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Lonnie Johnson went the Houston Texans in the second round 54th overall.