The dropoff that people are expecting Michigan football to have might not be that drastic, especially with three projected first-round picks according to a recent mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller.
Will Johnson and Mason Graham are each projected as top-10 picks. Johnson comes off the board at No. 3 overall, while Graham is selected ninth.
Both players could have been the first player off the board in the 2024 NFL draft at their position if they were eligible for the draft. But now, they are each expected to be top-10 picks. Johnson is the best cornerback and Graham and the best defensive tackle in college football.
I know some will argue with that but I wouldn’t trade those dudes for anyone. Colston Loveland, the standout tight end from Gooding, Idaho has been projected 14th overall. Loveland is a dynamic tight end. He’s a great blocker but I also expect to see him on split wide more and in the slot.
There has been a lot of talk about Michigan football lacking a No. 1 wide receiver but when you have a tight end like Loveland, you don’t need a true No. 1. He can be that guy and I wouldn’t be shocked if he went even higher than the projected 14th overall by ESPN.
Michigan football could have five first-round picks
I also think Matt Miller is missing the boat on Kenneth Grant and Derrick Moore. Both juniors have a great chance to get drafted in the first round and what would be wild, is that a 2022 recruiting class ranked 9th overall might produce five first-round picks (early entrees). We have seen schools have a haul like that but to all come from one class would be exceptional.
That’s especially true when there was just one five-star recruit in the bunch (Will Johnson) and just two ranked in the top 100 overall.
