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Michigan football won't match the output of its 2024 NFL draft this year, but the 2025 draft could still prove to be a record-breaker.
The Wolverines had a program-record 13 players selected during last year's draft, coming off the 2024 national championship. While the program will send another handful of players to the draft this year, the numbers will not match last year's record.
REQUIRED READING: Mock draft 4.0: Top of 2025 NFL Draft crystalizes as Detroit Lions lock in on pass rusher
However, the Wolverines still have a chance at history. Led by defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson, Michigan has a chance to have two players selected in the opening round for the first time since 2022.
Some mocks have the Wolverines sending one or two additional first-round selections. Michigan has had three first-round picks multiple times, but a fourth would be a program record.
Here's a look at how Michigan players project to fare in the 2025 NFL draft:
DT Mason Graham: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham's motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn't win right away."
CB Will Johnson: Round 1, No. 11 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
"Cornerback hasn't been an area at which San Francisco has allotted significant draft capital during the John Lynch era. But as the prototype for the position at 6-2 and 194 pounds with superlative ball skills, Johnson could provide a substantial payoff if the 49ers are willing to deviate from their habits."
TE Colston Loveland, Round 1, No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts
"Loveland might not be seen by some as on the same level as Warren, but he's hardly a consolation prize for an Indianapolis offense desperate for a tight end capable of making some kind of imprint on the passing game. More of a field-expander than safety valve, the 6-6, 248-pound seam threat would raise both the floor and ceiling for either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson."
DT Mason Graham: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"The Jaguars have holes at every level of their defense after allowing 5.9 yards per play last season (31st in the NFL), and Graham is the best available player. He impacts the game in a meaningful way as both a pass rusher and run defender with elite play strength and explosion off the snap."
CB Will Johnson: Round 1, No. 13 overall to the Miami Dolphins
"Johnson is one of the 10 best players in this class, as his excellent ball skills, instincts and 6-foot-2 size all stand out. The Dolphins have a hole opposite Jalen Ramsey, making cornerback a pressing need. And yes, Miami must also address the offensive line, but it can do so on Day 2."
TE Colston Loveland, Round 1, No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts
"Loveland can be Anthony Richardson's seam-stretcher and really improve the Colts' tight end room, which didn't even reach 500 receiving yards last season. It's a huge year for Richardson, and if the Colts want to properly evaluate him as their future under center, they should build up his supporting cast."
Here's a list of eligible Michigan football players for this year's NFL draft. Projections are based on The Athletic's Dane Brugler's seven-round NFL mock draft:
Michigan football has had 22 players selected in the NFL draft in 2023 and 2024. The Wolverines project for seven more draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft, which could help them reach 30 over a three-year stretch. The Wolverines won the national championship after the 2023 season.
Michigan had a program-record 13 players selected last season, but had just one player go in the first round.
Here's a look at the most Michigan players selected in a single NFL draft:
The Wolverines could have two first-round selections for the first time since 2022, when defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson went No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions and defensive back Daxton Hill went 31st overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
If Michigan has four players selected in the first round, as Brugler predicts in his last mock, it would be the most first-round selections for the program in school history. The Wolverines have had three first-round selections three times: 2001, 1995 and 1949.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Latest NFL mock drafts for Michigan football's top prospects
Continue reading...
The Wolverines had a program-record 13 players selected during last year's draft, coming off the 2024 national championship. While the program will send another handful of players to the draft this year, the numbers will not match last year's record.
REQUIRED READING: Mock draft 4.0: Top of 2025 NFL Draft crystalizes as Detroit Lions lock in on pass rusher
However, the Wolverines still have a chance at history. Led by defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson, Michigan has a chance to have two players selected in the opening round for the first time since 2022.
Some mocks have the Wolverines sending one or two additional first-round selections. Michigan has had three first-round picks multiple times, but a fourth would be a program record.
Here's a look at how Michigan players project to fare in the 2025 NFL draft:
Michigan football players in 2025 NFL mock drafts
USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz:
DT Mason Graham: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"Amid some volatility in the top five, this pairing is hard to shake. First-year general manager James Gladstone has declared his intent to go young along the line, and Graham's motor will keep him relevant on plays even when he doesn't win right away."
CB Will Johnson: Round 1, No. 11 overall to the San Francisco 49ers
"Cornerback hasn't been an area at which San Francisco has allotted significant draft capital during the John Lynch era. But as the prototype for the position at 6-2 and 194 pounds with superlative ball skills, Johnson could provide a substantial payoff if the 49ers are willing to deviate from their habits."
TE Colston Loveland, Round 1, No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts
"Loveland might not be seen by some as on the same level as Warren, but he's hardly a consolation prize for an Indianapolis offense desperate for a tight end capable of making some kind of imprint on the passing game. More of a field-expander than safety valve, the 6-6, 248-pound seam threat would raise both the floor and ceiling for either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson."
ESPN's Mel Kiper and Field Yates:
DT Mason Graham: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars
"The Jaguars have holes at every level of their defense after allowing 5.9 yards per play last season (31st in the NFL), and Graham is the best available player. He impacts the game in a meaningful way as both a pass rusher and run defender with elite play strength and explosion off the snap."
CB Will Johnson: Round 1, No. 13 overall to the Miami Dolphins
"Johnson is one of the 10 best players in this class, as his excellent ball skills, instincts and 6-foot-2 size all stand out. The Dolphins have a hole opposite Jalen Ramsey, making cornerback a pressing need. And yes, Miami must also address the offensive line, but it can do so on Day 2."
TE Colston Loveland, Round 1, No. 14 overall to the Indianapolis Colts
"Loveland can be Anthony Richardson's seam-stretcher and really improve the Colts' tight end room, which didn't even reach 500 receiving yards last season. It's a huge year for Richardson, and if the Colts want to properly evaluate him as their future under center, they should build up his supporting cast."
Michigan football players eligible for 2025 NFL draft
Here's a list of eligible Michigan football players for this year's NFL draft. Projections are based on The Athletic's Dane Brugler's seven-round NFL mock draft:
- DT Mason Graham: Round 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6 overall)
- TE Colston Loveland: Round 1 to the Indianapolis Colts (No. 14 overall)
- DT Kenneth Grant: Round 1 to the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 22 overall)
- CB Will Johnson: Round 1 to the Green Bay Packers (No. 23 overall)
- Edge Josaiah Stewart: Round 4 to the Tennessee Titans (No. 120 overall)
- OT Myles Hinton: Round 5 to the Buffalo Bills (No. 173 overall)
- RB Kalel Mullings: Round 7 to the Baltimore Ravens (No. 243 overall)
Most Michigan players selected in NFL draft
Michigan football has had 22 players selected in the NFL draft in 2023 and 2024. The Wolverines project for seven more draft picks in the 2025 NFL draft, which could help them reach 30 over a three-year stretch. The Wolverines won the national championship after the 2023 season.
Michigan had a program-record 13 players selected last season, but had just one player go in the first round.
Here's a look at the most Michigan players selected in a single NFL draft:
- 2024 — 13
- 2017 — 11
- 2020 — 10
- 2023 — 9
- 2021 — 8
Michigan football first round selections in NFL draft
The Wolverines could have two first-round selections for the first time since 2022, when defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson went No. 2 overall to the Detroit Lions and defensive back Daxton Hill went 31st overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
If Michigan has four players selected in the first round, as Brugler predicts in his last mock, it would be the most first-round selections for the program in school history. The Wolverines have had three first-round selections three times: 2001, 1995 and 1949.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Latest NFL mock drafts for Michigan football's top prospects
Continue reading...
