ESPN draft analyst drops 7-round mock draft with a Michigan first-rounder (and an interesting omission)
NFL Draft week is upon us, meaning we are one step closer to finding out where this year’s batch of Michigan Wolverines winds up at the next level. While the class does not have the high-end talent of last year with No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, there are still plenty of notable names that could make an impact
ESPN’s Matt Miller put out a seven-round mock draft on Sunday afternoon that covered the entirety of the event. Michigan’s output in his scenario was headlined by cornerback DJ Turner, who came off the board in the first round at No. 28 overall to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Should Turner wind up there, he would be reunited with former defensive backfield mate Daxton Hill, who was a first-round pick in 2022.
“If you’re looking for one position that needs an upgrade to get the Bengals back to the Super Bowl, it’s cornerback,” Miller wrote. “And Turner — who ran a combine-best 4.26 seconds in the 40-yard-dash — has the tools to be great. He dominates at the line of scrimmage in press coverage and has the speed to run in phase with the best receivers in the AFC.”
Coming up behind Turner in the second round was defensive tackle Mazi Smith, who was selected 30 picks later at No. 58 overall to the Dallas Cowboys. Some scouts still believe he has a chance to sniff the first round, so this would be a potential steal.
“The Cowboys could look at cornerbacks or offensive linemen here, but Smith falling down the board means this is a true ‘best player available’ pick,” Miller said. “He has been praised by area scouts as a talented all-around player who will be better in the pros than in college once he is freed up to rush the quarterback and not play gap-based defense. Smith’s power, quick first step and ability to play with low pads stand out when he is crashing the backfield.”
The rest of the Michigan picks in Miller’s mock draft included:
• TE Luke Schoonmaker, No. 104 overall (fourth round) to the Houston Texans
• K Jake Moody, No. 129 overall (fourth round) to the Dallas Cowboys
• EDGE Mike Morris, No. 157 overall (fifth round) to the Baltimore Ravens
• OT Ryan Hayes, No. 206 overall (sixth round) to the Cincinnati Bengals
• WR Ronnie Bell, No. 219 overall (seventh round) to the Philadelphia Eagles
Miller did not include Michigan center Olu Oluwatimi, widely seen as a mid-round pick. After his mock was published, Miller told The Wolverine that he has a grade around the fifth round for Oluwatimi but that his mock was based on feedback he was getting from teams.
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.
