Michigan football trio selected by Kiper/McShay in 3-round NFL Draft mock
Michigan football’s NFL Draft hopefuls will learn their fate over the next two weeks with the event set for next weekend in Kansas City. Three Wolverines were selected in the latest mock from two of the biggest analyst names over at ESPN in Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.
Kiper and McShay took turns making picks for their 102-selection mock. Kiper has the odd-numbered picks, while McShay handled the events. Both men based their selections on a combination of what they think a team should do mixed with what they would do.
First up was cornerback DJ Turner, who came off the board to the Arizona Cardinals in the second round with the No. 34 overall pick. McShay toyed with sending him to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 32, but ultimately sent him to the desert.
“I just mentioned Turner at the top of Round 2, and Arizona could keep building its defense back up with an ultra-fast cornerback here,” McShay explained. “The Cards only managed 11 interceptions last season and lost Byron Murphy Jr. to free agency.”
Defensive tackle Mazi Smith was the next Michigan player off the board in the second round at No. 53 overall to the Chicago Bears. Kiper sees him as a run-stuffing guru in the physical NFC North division, where the Bears compete with the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
“The Bears really have to shore up the trenches in front of quarterback Justin Fields,” Kiper said. “Smith is one of the strongest players in this class. He won’t offer much as an interior pass-rusher, but he will plug holes in the run game.”
Staying in the NFC North, Michigan tight end Luke Schoonmaker was selected in the third round at 81st overall by the Detroit Lions, sending him 45 minutes east of where he played his college ball. The local Lions haul included Texas Tech EDGE Tyree Wilson (6th overall), Pittsburgh defensive tackle Calijah Kancey (18th), Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (48th), Arkansas linebacker Drew Sanders (55th) and Schoonmaker.
“Schoonmaker might be a little underrated in this deep tight end class,” Kiper said. “He is solid but not spectacular. With T.J. Hockenson gone, Detroit doesn’t have much in its tight end room. And now we’ve filled all of the Lions’ needs, haven’t we, Todd?”
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.
