Michigan football: Eight Wolverines selected in ESPN mock draft
Michigan football is set for another solid dose of prospects sent off to the NFL coming off of a terrific 2022 season. While the class may lack some of the top-end star power that it sent last year, plenty of Wolverine talent should be sprinkled throughout the event.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid did a 7-round mock of the 2023 NFL Draft with eight Michigan players included. There were not any first-rounders and if that comes to pass, things might not get busy for the Wolverines until the second and third rounds on Friday.
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith leads the way in this simulation with the New Orleans Saints selecting him with the No. 40 overall pick (second round). Reid and other draftniks want to see Smith become more of a factor in the pass rush but still believe in the skillset overall.
“The Saints let David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle leave in free agency, and they brought in Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd as replacements,” Reid said. “Still, they could use another priority pick on a defensive tackle. Smith is the best run-stuffer in this class. Despite his lack of pass-rush production — he had one sack last season — he improved over the course of the 2022 season. In a multiple front scheme, Smith would quickly become a key contributor.”
Cornerback DJ Turner was the talk of the town a month ago after running the fourth-fastest 40-yard dash in the history of the NFL Combine (4.26 seconds). That led some to speculate he could work his way into the first round.
Reid went the opposite way, sending him to the Los Angeles Rams with the No. 69 overall pick (third round).
“The trade of Jalen Ramsey to the Dolphins means the Rams lack dependable talent in the secondary,” Reid wrote. “Turner would fit in L.A., as he is a disciplined and smooth mover in coverage who has experience in multiple spots in the secondary.”
Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker has been a steady riser during the pre-draft process after strong showings at the combine and pro day. In one of the deepest tight end classes ever, Reid has Schoonmaker going 84th overall to the Miami Dolphins.
“The Dolphins lack a receiving threat at tight end after Mike Gesicki signed with the Patriots in free agency,” he said. “Adding 6-5 Schoonmaker would add competition to a group searching for a player to emerge.”
Rimington and Outland awards-winner Olu Oluwatimi has seen and played a lot of football in his career. His experience and smarts at the center spot make him a candidate to leap from Michigan as a plug-and-play starter. Reid thinks the New York Giants would agree, selecting him in the third round at No. 89 overall.
“The center spot has been a revolving door for the Giants since the glory days of Weston Richburg,” he said. “Six-foot-2, 309-pound Oluwatimi has the strength and experience to step in and be a Day 1 starter.”
The rest of the Michigan football mock draftees
Reid stopped the writeup capsules after the third round with plenty of picks still to go. Defensive lineman Mike Morris led the way in Round 4, coming off the board with the No. 107 overall pick to the New England Patriots. A gap followed before wide receiver Ronnie Bell was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 156.
Kicker Jake Moody found a team in the sixth round when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used the No. 181 overall pick to secure his services. Offensive tackle Ryan Hayes rounded out the group, heading to the Denver Broncos with the 195th selection.
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.
