ESPN releases 7-round mock draft with a new team trading up for J.J. McCarthy, U-M breaking record

The Michigan Wolverines have a chance to set a record one month from now with a plethora of talent heading to the 2024 NFL Draft, headlined by quarterback J.J. McCarthy. ESPN’s Matt Miller put out a 7-round mock draft on Wednesday morning that has U-M breaking the mark with 16 players selected in the event.

But the most notable prospect in the class is McCarthy, who has had a steady rise up board since the end of Michigan’s national title-winning campaign. He is now considered one of the top quarterbacks in the class who has a chance to go very early on the draft’s first night.

In Miller’s scenario, he has the Denver Broncos trading up to the No. 4 overall pick to land McCarthy after the Minnesota Vikings, another popular landing spot for McCarthy, traded up to No. 3 overall to select North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

“McCarthy is a tough, instinctive and accurate quarterback with plus-level mobility and great play from the pocket,” Miller writes. “I’m not saying he’s Drew Brees, but the style of play would fit very well with what Payton ran in New Orleans. McCarthy is relatively inexperienced with just 28 starts in college, but he left Michigan with a 27-1 record. He completed 72.1% of his passes and threw only four picks last season, and his third-down QBR of 86.7 was 11th-best in the nation. McCarthy would be a sure bet to beat out Jarrett Stidham and start Week 1 in Denver.”

Speaking of New Orleans, the next U-M player to come off the board in Miller’s mock was wide receiver Roman Wilson at No. 45 overall.

“It was tempting to go quarterback here, but the Saints are contenders in the wide-open NFC South and must build a roster to compete in 2024,” Miller said. “Wilson is one of the best slot receivers in the class and would immediately replace departed veteran Michael Thomas. Wilson had just 66 targets in 2023 while playing in Michigan’s run-first scheme, but his pre-draft process has been flawless.”

Miller’s scenario also includes one of the biggest potential steals in the draft class in the form of Michigan captain Mike Sainristil landing with John Harbaugh and the Baltimore Ravens. The organization not only has a knack for landing former Wolverines but also stars that other teams pass on, for some reason.

“How do great football players always fall to the Ravens?” Miller asked after projecting him to go 62nd overall. “Sainristil was a do-it-all defensive back and leader at Michigan, posting six interceptions (two touchdowns). In Baltimore, he would play a nickel role very similar to what Brian Branch did in his rookie season for the Lions.”

One pick later, Miller sent Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers, who have a need on the interior of the defense.

“Arik Armstead was released in a salary cap-saving move, and while the 49ers did add Maliek Collins and Jordan Elliott, a true 3-technique rusher should be on the draft wishlist behind offensive line help,” Miller wrote. Jenkins is 6-foot-3 and 299 pounds, and he ran a 4.91-second 40, showing his speed. But he is also one of the strongest defensive tackles in the class.”

They would later get the offensive line help Miller asked for with the selection of Zak Zinter at pick No. 94 in the third round.

“Zinter has missed the pre-draft process with a leg injury, but his power in the run game and movement traits are exactly what the 49ers are lacking at right guard,” Miller said.

Sandwiched in between the 49ers’ picks was linebacker Junior Colson at No. 79 overall to the Atlanta Falcons.

“Colson didn’t work out at the combine or his pro day, which could push him down the board — but the Falcons should be looking for rangy off-ball linebackers at the draft, and he’s a plug-and-play starter,” Miller said.”

The rest of the Michigan prospects

Round four is where Miller’s writeups on prospects concluded, but several more Michigan players came off the board.

Michigan stalwart running back Blake Corum, who has been practicing running routes and working out of the slot this offseason, was selected early in round four by the Los Angeles Chargers, reuniting him with former head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Then, a pause came before a run of talent in the sixth round with EDGE Braiden McGregor next off the board at No. 182 to the Tennessee Titans. Center Drake Nugent was selected by the Arizona Cardinals at No. 186, followed by back-to-back Michigan picks of guard Trevor Keegan (Indianapolis Colts) and linebacker Michael Barrett (Seattle Seahawks) at No. 191 and 192, respectively. Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson went No. 196 overall to the Los Angeles Rams, while EDGE Jaylen Harrell found a home with the New Orleans Saints at No. 199. Offensive lineman Trente Jones, cited as a guard, was selected by the Denver Broncos at No. 203 overall.

The seventh round included two more Michigan players in guard LaDarius Henderson at No. 227 to the Titans and tight end AJ Barner at No. 235 to the Seahawks.

When the dust cleared, 16 Wolverines came off the board in Miller’s scenario, breaking the record of 15 set by Georgia in 2022. We will have to wait until the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25-27 to see if Michigan sets the new bar, but there is plenty of buzz suggesting that will be the case.