REPORT: NFL Draft Expert Mel Kiper Jr. Makes Major Career Announcement

Mel Kiper Jr. (Photo via Golfdigest)
Mel Kiper Jr., the renowned NFL draft expert, covered his 41st round for ESPN this past weekend and his 46th draft overall.

Mel Kiper Jr., the ESPN draft guru, revealed this week via his X account and Instagram that he will significantly change his profession moving forward.

Mel Kiper Jr. disclosed that he and Dari Nowkhah will no longer be hosting their ESPN Radio show on weekends. This weekend will mark the last episode of The Dari and Mel Show, which has been broadcast on Saturdays for 14 years.

During his announcement, Kipr Jr. took some time to thank fans for their support and encouraged them to watch the final show on Saturday.

“After 14 years of many interesting discussions/debates, Kiper’s Callers, fantastic guests, Mikey C’s antics, and so much fun, Dari and I are hanging up our headphones and saying goodbye to the Dari and Mel Show on ESPN radio,” Kiper said.

“Thank you to our loyal fans who have kept us going all these years. It’s been an amazing ride, especially getting to do it alongside my good friend, Dari Nowkhah. It’s not over yet, though. Tune in this Saturday, May 4th, from 10 am to 1:30 pm EST on ESPNRadio for our final show.”

Kiper did not give a reason for the decision, and neither did Nowkhah, who responded to his tweet on X.

“Wait!! They are keeping us an extra half-hour on our final show!!??” Nowkhah joked. “I second all the Mel Man said. Doing this show with an incredible friend and group of friends every Sat for nearly 14 years has been unreal. I’m sad that it’s ending. But we will have a hell of a finale!”

Nowkhah has been with ESPN since 2004, while Kiper has been part of The Worldwide Leader since 1984.

Mel Kiper Jr. Became A Household Name Even More After Bill Tobin Called Him Out

Mel Kiper (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Longtime NFL executive Bill Tobin passed away last month, and although he had an extensive career in football as both a player and executive, his most lasting impact on the league might have been an encounter at the 1994 NFL Draft that helped swing the event into the monster that it is today.

In 1994, while heading the Indianapolis Colts, Tobin had two picks at the top of the first round, which he used to choose Nebraska LB Trev Alberts and San Diego State RB Marshall Faulk. NFL draft expert Mel Kiper took exception to those selections and proceeded to criticize Tobin and the Colts for passing on Fresno State quarterback Trent Dilfer.

A horrified Kiper watched in shock as Tobin exploded on him during a live interview with Chris Mortensen, setting off one of the most memorable scenes in draft history.