9 Michigan football players crack PFF's updated top-150 for 2024 NFL Draft

Nine Michigan Wolverines were selected over the course of the three-day 2023 NFL Draft last spring, but the output could be historic in the 2024 class. Nine player alone could be guys that hear their names called in the first half of the event.

Michigan sent a healthy dose of players to the league in this past class, but the next one has a chance to be head coach Jim Harbaugh’s best in Ann Arbor. The experts at Pro Football Focus have nine Wolverines in the top 150 on its most updated big board.

Here is a look at where the Wolverines sit in addition to where players on the schedule this season ranked in PFF’s list.

NOTE: *= underclassmen

22. Kris Jenkins, defensive tackle

Kris Jenkins has not put up eye-popping numbers this year, but he is not asked to in the Michigan defense. He has proven himself to be one of the best run-stopping defensive tackles in the country, and his athleticism and makeup make him a potential first-round prospect even without the benefit of a strong grade as a pass rusher. We still think those areas of his game will continue to develop as the season goes on, but PFF is extremely high on him already.

42. J.J. McCarthy*, quarterback

J.J. McCarthy has everything in his toolkit to be an NFL quarterback from the arm talent, the mobility and the poise/makeup that teams value at the position. What he ultimately decides to do after 2024 will depend on the steps forward he takes, and so far he looks much more comfortable and decisive within the offense. It would be surprising – but welcomed – if he ascended to the level of USC’s Caleb Williams and UNC’s Drake Maye. But he could certainly push for that next tier and is already considered a first round prospect by many outlets, including PFF’s own recent mock drafts.

43. Blake Corum, running back

The general consensus about running backs in recent years is that it is not a high-value position in the draft. The Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions thumbed their noses at this, selecting Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs at picks No. 8 and 12 overall in last year’s draft, respectively. Blake Corum was arguably as good or better than both last season prior to his knee injury, and with a league built now on offense, he has the chance to be one of the top weapons available in the next cycle. The Michigan star is still working his way back into vintage form, and is clearly the team’s No. 1 running back right now.

46. Donovan Edwards*, running back

The same conversation we had about running backs in the Corum section applies to Donovan Edwards. In a lot of ways, he could be the more valuable of the two when it comes to the NFL. Edwards will likely leave Michigan with a lesser workload than Corum and also has shown more as a pass-catching back. Staying healthy and being more consistent carry-to-carry are improvements that can be made, but consistency has been hard to come by early on this year. He feels like he is on the verge of a breakout, though.

66. Rod Moore*, safety

Rod Moore is knocking off some rust and working his way back after an injury suffered in camp, and has not looked like his former self yet this season. But when he is right, he is as instinctual a defensive back there is in the country, and he always finds himself in the right place at the right time. As he gets healthier, or more comfortable with his situation, he should return to his old form and be the player that rounds out Michigan’s secondary.

75. Zak Zinter, interior offensive lineman

Do not be surprised if Zak Zinter winds up being among the highest-drafted Michigan players next go-round. Some believed he had a shot to be a day two pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but the “One More Year” fund helped get him to return. Zinter brings positional versatility with the ability to play both guard and center and is the Wolverines’ best offensive lineman. He has been the team’s most consistent presence up front through five games.

101. Roman Wilson, wide receiver

Michigan’s biggest surprise so far this season has been Roman Wilson’s ascension as one of the top receivers in college football. He and McCarthy have been at their best together this season off-script and playing backyard football. It’s that sort of improvisation, along with greatly improved ball skills, that could make Wilson a day-two pick next spring.

103. Junior Colson*, linebacker

Michigan has gotten very good, steady play out of Junior Colson at linebacker, and he had a lot on his plate last season without a ton of proven depth at the position. Now that Michigan has addressed that, Colson has played some of the best football of his career and looks fresh out there.

137. Mike Sainristil, defensive back

Graduate defensive back and two-time captain Mike Sainristil has looked like a natural in the nickel over the last two years, and he keeps getting better. He looks the part of a guy who can slide into an NFL role and handle the nickel while also being a standout on special teams.

The 2024 NFL Draft will take place 45 minutes down the road from Ann Arbor in Detroit, Michigan from April 25-27. Round 1 will take place on April 25, rounds two and three will happen on April 26 and the event wraps up with rounds 4-7 on April 27.