Two Michigan football prospects selected in Todd McShay's two-round NFL mock draft
ESPN analyst Todd McShay released his latest two-round mock draft, and two Michigan Wolverines football prospects made appearances, both in the second round. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith went No. 32 overall, the first pick of the second round, to the Pittsburgh Steelers, while cornerback DJ Turner was off the board at No. 46 to the New England Patriots.
Smith is right on that fringe of being a first-rounder. Typically, the No. 32 overall pick would be in the first round, but the Miami Dolphins had to forfeit their selection due to a rules violation. McShay believes Smith can impact right away.
“Pittsburgh is typically strong up the middle, and it already has Cameron Heyward and Larry Ogunjobi in place,” McShay wrote. “But considering the electrifying rushing attacks that the Steelers face in their division, securing depth at defensive tackle isn’t a bad call.
“At 6-foot-3 and 323 pounds, Smith’s game is all about power, and he’s a plug-and-play nose tackle in the NFL.”
Smith is the fourth defensive tackle in McShay’s mock, behind Georgia’s Jalen Carter (No. 5 to the Seattle Seahawks), Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey (No. 21 to the Los Angeles Chargers) and Northwestern’s Adetomiwa Adebawore (listed as a ‘DE/DT’; No. 29 to the New Orleans Saints).
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Smith’s size and strength are his top attributes. He put up 34 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press during the NFL Combine, leading all defensive linemen.
Turner also impressed at the combine in Indianapolis. His 4.26-second 40-yard dash was the fastest at the event this year and tied for the fourth-fastest time run at any combine.
McShay believes the former Michigan cornerback can provide a boost in the Patriots’ defensive backfield.
“Turner has a great combination of speed and fluidity,” McShay wrote. “He ran a scorching 4.26 in the 40-yard dash (fastest at the combine this year), and he can mirror receivers’ every move. Jonathan Jones re-signed in New England, but there’s a need for more playmakers in the secondary.
“Turner had three interceptions and 18 pass breakups over the past two seasons.”
Turner is the XXth cornerback taken in McShay’s mock, behind Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon (No. 7 to the Las Vegas Raiders), Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez (No. 8 to the Atlanta Falcons), Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. (No. 16 to the Washington Commanders), Mississippi State’s Emmanuel Forbes (No. 25 to the New York Giants), Maryland’s Deonte Banks (No. 28 to the Cincinnati Bengals), Kansas State’s Julius Brents (No. 35 to the Indianapolis Colts), Georgia’s Kelee Ringo (No. 36 to the Los Angeles Rams) and Alabama’s Brian Branch (listed as a ‘S/CB’; No. 43 to the New York Jets).
Michigan’s prospects will learn their fate at the NFL Draft April 27-29 in Kansas City.
