Last night defensive end Kwity Paye went #21 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. I discussed offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield yesterday as a possible first rounder (LINK), but as expected, he did not go off the board on night one.
So besides Mayfield, who's next?
Wide receiver Nico Collins measured in at 6'4", 215 lbs., having lost weight since he last wore a Michigan uniform in 2019. He ran a 4.43 at Michigan's pro day, broad jumped 10'5 3/4", and showed a 37.5" vertical. Even though I have doubts about that forty time, I don't think anyone expects him to be a burner in the NFL. He can be a matchup probably with his size. I thought he might be a good fit for a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Eagles already went with a wide receiver (albeit a small one) in Devonta Smith.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 2-3
Cornerback Ambry Thomas is probably the next best bet. At 5'11" and 191 lbs., Thomas showed off a 38" vertical, broad jumped 10'2", and ran the forty in 4.37. He opted out of the 2020 season, but he was a shutdown corner when he last played in 2019. Will teams hold it against him that he missed 2020? That remains to be seen, but a few guys who opted out of 2020 still went in the first round.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 3-4
Linebacker Cam McGrone missed a chunk of the 2020 season with a torn ACL, and he wasn't playing that well before the injury, anyway. At 6'0" and 234 lbs., he was unable to run the forty and did 20 reps on the bench press. McGrone only started for part of 2019 and part of 2020, and he probably left too early. It would not surprise me if he went undrafted, and it would not surprise me if he went in the 5th round.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 6-7
Fullback Ben Mason weighed in at 6'2" and 246 lbs. He did 29 reps on the bench, ran a 4.72, and broad jumped 9'9". Fullbacks have gone the way of the dodo in recent years, but he's such a devastating lead blocker that I think he can fill a role on a roster somewhere.
Projected draft spot: Rounds 6-7
Running back Chris Evans is 5'11" and 211 lbs. He clocked a 4.44 forty, did 20 bench press reps, had a 40.5" vertical, and broad jumped 10'7". His pro day was arguably the most impressive of any Michigan player, and yet his overall lack of production at Michigan leaves some questions about what he can really do at the next level. He never topped 685 rushing yards in a Wolverines uniform, and his final season included just 73 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards. I think he can play in the NFL, but it would be a little odd for him to get drafted.
Projected draft spot: Round 7 or UDFA
Other draft-eligible players I do not expect to get drafted:
- LS Cameron Cheeseman
- TE Nick Eubanks
- DT Carlo Kemp
- K Quinn Nordin
I think Jay Harbaugh is to blame for Chris Evans not getting more playing time.
ReplyDeleteSo it's Jay Harbaugh's fault, and not the two guys who are Jay Harbaugh's bosses?
DeleteMy thoughts exactly. Evans looked very promising as a Fr, but never developed like we thought/hoped. And, he's not the only wolverine to peak so early
DeleteS8iince Jay Harbaugh was taken off coaching RBs did Jim Harbaugh make him the scapegoat? It rather seems Jay was not choosing RB starters well. Or was it Jim Harbaugh choosing who started?
DeleteThe responsible parties are Haskins, Charbonnet, and Corum. I bet at least a couple of them will be drafted.
DeleteSaid it before the season and didn't see anything to indicate otherwise - that was the best RB room Michigan has had since probably some time in the 90s.
The negative spin on Evans drafting is - wait no there is no negative spin. Congrats to Chris Evans and Michigan football!
Now if you want to complain about draft picks who didn't work out for Michigan there's St. Juste and Hudson and the circumstances around their injury rehab...
-Lank
If that's true why was Jay Harbaugh taken off being RBs coach?
DeleteI don't see a connection.
ReplyDelete-Lank
If Jay Harbaugh was such a good RB coach that those 3 are better than Evans then why was he moved off coaching RBs?
DeleteI don't think having 3 RBs better than Evans has much to do with Jay Harbaugh coaching honestly but it's too his credit. If your 4th string RB getting drafted is a testament to doing a good job. Harbaugh helped develop Haskins into a position where he is one of the better RBs in the Big 10 and will likely get drafted after next year (IMO). He also recruited high end players to the position in Corum and Charbonnet that elevated the talent level (plus Edwards). How's are these bad things exactly?
DeleteAs to why Harbaugh got moved it was to make way for Hart. The RB coach spot is about recruiting as much as anything else and Hart is considered a good addition for what he brings to the program. Harbaugh shifted over to make way for him (by his choice or not is irrelevant). It's not the first time he's moved positions and it won't be the last.
Do you also think Sherrone Moore was moved to OL coach because of failures at TE? Or is it a credit to him that he is kept around and offered a new spot even as the coaching staff was aggressively turned over?
The holdovers are still around because Jim Harbaugh thinks they can do the job.
Jay Harbaugh has plenty of skeptics, including myself, but he's acquitted himself quite well during his tenure at the RB position - which is arguably the strongest position group on the team by a significant stretch.
-Lank
Wow, it's almost like ... RBs do matter
DeleteWell, I don't follow your line of reasoning.
DeleteAnd I don't have time or desire to keep going with this.
Michigan had their best RB group in decades and one of their worst seasons. Might make some stop and think.
Delete-Lank
Yeah, the revolving door on the OL and at QB and the terrible pass defense and the opt-outs and the injuries to all the key players didn't have anything to do with the terrible season...
Delete