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Rece Davis says he has no issue with Mel Kiper after heated NFL Draft exchange
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Rece Davis says there is no issue with his ESPN colleague Mel Kiper Jr.
Kiper had a lot to say about Shedeur Sanders’ slide in the 2025 NFL Draft. After Sanders was finally drafted at No. 144, Kiper went on another rant that reached meltdown territory, calling out the NFL’s evaluation process.
Davis was the host of ESPN’s Day 3 draft coverage. He made it clear that he had had enough of Kiper’s latest rant on Sanders’ slide, and had some strong words for his colleague. Viewers overwhelmingly approved of Davis’ “clapback” at Kiper.
In a recent podcast appearance with his former colleague Dan Dakich, Davis shared his thoughts and clarified that he has no issue with Kiper.
It’s fine. I didn’t even know there was an issue until I started getting texts like you were saying,” Davis said on Don’t @ Me. “It’s sort of part and parcel of what we do. Sometimes, for the analyst’s own good and for the good of the show, you challenge their position. Mel’s great. I love working with Mel. And he’s the reason the draft is what it is, in my opinion.
Kiper has been part of ESPN’s NFL Draft coverage since 1984. Davis, a 30-year veteran of the network, recently signed a multi-year extension with ESPN after being courted by FOX to jump ship.
[H/T Awful Announcing]
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
