Running down potential NFL prospects that will be on the field for The Game

Michigan football will match up with the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday in Ann Arbor with the Big Ten East on the line. These types of showdown and rivalry games typically have pro prospects all over the field. This one will be no different.

We simulated all seven rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft using The Draft Network’s mock machine on Tuesday morning. This gave us a look at the talent that both teams will bring into Saturday’s game.

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Here is a look at the players that will have plenty of scouting eyeballs on them this weekend.

Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan EDGE (First round, No. 5 overall – New York Jets)

Typically the Buckeyes have the player projected to come off the board the highest. Michigan’s Hutchinson carries that distinction this year. Most outlets have him as a top-five pick and someone who can push Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux as the class’ best pass rusher.

Chris Olave, Ohio State WR (First round, No. 6 overall – New York Giants)

Olave and one of his other Buckeye wideout teammates (more on him soon) have been back-and-forth as two of the draft’s top prospects. He is a technician and one of the best route-runners in college football that can hurt you from both the slot and on the outside.

Garrett Wilson, Ohio State WR (First round, No. 9 overall – Atlanta Falcons)

Wilson is coming off the same wide receiver conveyor belt that Olave is with the Buckeyes. He does a lot of the same things well but is also used a little more creatively on jet sweeps and motions. He is another do-it-all wideout that Michigan will be on high alert for come Saturday.

David Ojabo, Michigan EDGE (First round, No. 22 overall – Los Angeles Chargers)

Ojabo’s leap up draft boards has been one of the biggest surprises of 2021. He is still extremely raw, but a terror off the edge as a pass rush specialist and has the game-breaking ability Hutchinson does. Another dominant showing on Saturday will almost certainly boost his stock even higher.

Zach Harrison, Ohio State EDGE (Second round, No. 39 overall – Philadelphia Eagles)

Ohio State will bring its fair share of pass-rush talent into Ann Arbor, as well. Michigan fans will remember Harrison from the recruiting process as someone this staff made a big push for. He is a long and disruptive athlete that will give Michigan’s tackles all they can handle in The Game.

Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State OT (Second round, No. 42 overall)

Petit-Frere is a natural athlete and wins a lot of one on ones that way, but can be a little technically sloppy at times. Michigan football’s pass rush will need to be sharp and play with an extra jolt. They have not seen a pair of tackles like this in 2021.

Thayer Munford, Ohio State OT (Second round, No. 46 overall – Seattle Seahawks)

Like Petit-Frere, Munford is a specimen and looks the part of an NFL left tackle prospect. Rushers with quick feet could give him some problems. The good news for Michigan is that it feels it has that in Hutchinson and Ojabo.

Daxton Hill, Michigan DB (Second round, No. 49 overall – Kansas City Chiefs)

Hill’s stock has slipped a bit recently, but not because he has played poorly. He just has not been the game-changing safety that often comes with first-round designations. The Wolverines have used him in a variety of ways, whether it be at corner, nickel or safety. Any effort Michigan has in slowing down the Buckeyes’ passing game will have Hill’s role at the forefront.

Jeremy Ruckert, Ohio State TE (Third round, No. 67 overall – New York Jets)

Ruckert is a sure-handed prospect who plays the fourth fiddle in the OSU passing game. He has been a solid safety valve over the middle of the field, but might not be the type of mismatch chess piece that an Erick All might be. Regardless, Michigan’s second and third levels will have to account for him and be sharp in coverage.

Haskell Garrett, Ohio State IDL (Fourth round, No. 113 overall – Baltimore Ravens)

Garrett is an incredible story, returning to football last season after being shot in the face in August 2020. He is a stout presence on Ohio State’s defensive front and plays with great effort. He will be a challenge for Michigan’s interior offensive line.

Sevyn Banks, Ohio State DB (Fourth round, No. 117 overall – Los Angeles Chargers)

Banks has not played very well this year, ranking as Pro Football Focus’ 432nd-best corner in college football. He plays physically and is a good athlete and the league likes his potential, but he has not put it all together on the field this year. Michigan might look to test him in this football game.

Hassan Haskins, Michigan RB (Sixth round, No. 181 overall – Detroit Lions)

Haskins has proven himself as a legitimate RB1 at the college level when called upon and does the little things well, too. He can run between the tackles. He can pass protect and catch out of the backfield. Those are the same things that made Chris Evans draftable last year. A strong pre-draft showing should have him off the board much higher than this.

Josh Proctor, Ohio State DB (No. 222 overall – Pittsburgh Steelers)

Proctor only played in two games this season and has been out the rest of the year with a leg injury.

Tyreke Smith, Ohio State EDGE (No. 246 overall – Houston Texans)

Smith has been a solid complement to Harrison on OSU’s pass rush and has the look for a rotational NFL defensive end. He has the ability to get pressure and be a nuisance for Michigan’s offensive line.

Total draft prospects: 14

Ohio State: 10

Michigan: 4

Michigan football’s showdown with Ohio State kicks off at noon on Saturday and will be televised nationally via FOX.