Where Michigan players land on Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board, position rankings
Michigan Wolverines football has the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft, defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, according to ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s big board, another in the top 10 overall and several others that landed on the expert’s ranking of the top 10 players at each position.
Kiper also projected Hutchinson, the 2021 Heisman Trophy runner up, to be selected No. 1 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars in his first mock draft Jan. 19.
Hutchinson registered 62 tackles (36 solo), 16.5 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 12 quarterback hurries and three pass breakups in 2021, after choosing to return for one more season in the Maize and Blue. The captain led the Wolverines to their first Big Ten title since 2004 and their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.
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“Hutchinson had a consistently dominant season on the way to finishing as the runner-up in the voting for the Heisman Trophy,” Kiper wrote. “He had 14 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He finished fifth in the country in pressure rate (16.5 percent). He is advanced as a pass-rusher — he already has a few go-to moves — and is relentless on every snap.
“He dominated Ohio State in Michigan’s win, registering three sacks. Hutchinson played only 144 defensive snaps last season before he sustained a leg injury and had to have surgery; the Michigan defense cratered after he was hurt. He was outstanding as a sophomore in 2019, putting up 4.5 sacks and creating havoc in the backfield (10.5 tackles for loss). It’s going to be a real battle between Hutchinson and [Oregon defensive end] Kayvon Thibodeaux for the No. 1 pick.”
Outside linebacker David Ojabo — who departed Michigan after three seasons, one of which as a starter — checked in as the No. 9 overall prospect and top player at his position. Ojabo racked up 11 sacks in 2021, after being a reserve the prior two seasons.
“Ojabo was one of the most impressive newcomers in the country in 2021,” Kiper wrote. “A third-year sophomore who spent his youth in Nigeria and Scotland, he had 11 sacks and five forced fumbles playing on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson. He has flashed advanced pass-rush moves — this spin on the right tackle for a strip sack — and his physical traits pop on tape.
“While Ojabo needs to work on his all-around game, there’s a lot to like. He’s still young; he could develop into an elite edge rusher.”
Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill, who also left the program after three seasons, slotted as the second-best safety in the draft, trailing only former Notre Dame star Kyle Hamilton.
Primarily playing nickel this past season, Hill tallied 69 tackles (41 solo), 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, two interceptions, four quarterback hurries and eight pass breakups.
Michigan running back Hassan Haskins ranked No. 10a at his position, tied with Oklahoma’s Kennedy Brooks for the final running back spot.
The Wolverines’ workhorse back last season, Haskins’ 270 rushes were the second-most out of any Power Five player, and his 20 touchdowns led the Big Ten. He racked up 1,327 yards, the most out of any Wolverine running back since his position coach, Mike Hart. He rushed for a touchdown in all but four contests, and found pay dirt a record five times against arch rival Ohio State.
Michigan right tackle Andrew Stueber slotted 10th among tackles after serving as a centerpiece of the Wolverines’ Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line last season.
Stueber, too, was one of the top players in the Big Ten at his position, and ranked 22nd among the nation’s tackles in pass protection according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Not allowing much pressure from his side helped the unit as a whole. His discipline and strength were huge in the run game, as well
