Breaking Down ESPN's 3-Round NFL Mock Draft for Area Teams

NFL Draft season is upon us! As the calendar turns to April every year, it's officially mock draft season.

The top draft heads at ESPN have come together to create a 3-round mock as of this week, and we're here to break it down for our area squads.

Here's a look at the projected picks at the top of the draft, as well as those for the Vikings, Packers, and all of our area NFL teams.

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The full article can be found here. Here's the top projected picks:

1) Las Vegas Raiders - Fernando Mendoza - Indiana Hoosiers QB

2) New York Jets - Arvell Reese - Ohio State Edge

3) Arizona Cardinals - Francis Mauigoa - Miami Tackle

4) Tennessee Titans - David Bailey - Texas Tech Edge

5) New York Giants - Jeremiyah Love - Notre Dame RB

As for our area squads, here's a team-by-team recap:

Chicago Bears

25. Kiper's pick: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Best player available and checking off a need -- that's a win late in Round 1. At his best, Woods is a penetrating 3-technique who would help the Bears' run defense (5.0 yards allowed per carry, 29th) and pass rush (35 sacks, tied for 22nd).

57. Kiper's pick: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State

60. (from BUF) Yates' pick: Kyle Louis, S/LB, Pittsburgh

89. Kiper's pick: Antonio Williams, WR, Clemson

Detroit Lions

17. Kiper's pick: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Regardless of which side Penei Sewell plays next season, the Lions need a long-term answer at the other offensive tackle spot. Freeling started just 18 games in college, but he's long and quick, and his ceiling is high.

50. Miller's pick: Jaishawn Barham, Edge, Michigan

Green Bay Packers

52. Yates' pick: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Green Bay will have some 3-4 elements under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon; Hunter has the right skill set to anchor a run defense.

84. Yates' pick: Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona

Minnesota Vikings

18. Miller's pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

This might be the second-most-predicted pick in mock drafts behind Mendoza to the Raiders. Thieneman can be a smooth-moving replacement for longtime Vikings safety Harrison Smith.

49. Kiper's pick: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame

82. Miller's pick: Connor Lew, C, Auburn

97. Kiper's pick: De'Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

Denver Broncos

62. Miller's pick: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Evan Engram was added last offseason to be the Broncos' "Joker" tight end, but he'll be 32 years old. Stowers dazzled at the combine and could be a good fit in Denver.

Kansas City Chiefs

9. Kiper's pick: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Yes, Travis Kelce is back in Kansas City. But he's turning 37 next season, and quarterback Patrick Mahomes needs playmakers in this offense. Sadiq is as explosive and versatile as they come.