NFL Draft round grades for 13 Michigan football prospects

Michigan Wolverines football has 13 prospects that showed up on The Athletic analyst Dane Brugler’s 2025 rendition of ‘The Beast,’ “the most comprehensive and detailed NFL Draft guide available.”

Brugler put together more than 400 player profiles and rankings for nearly 2,700 prospects, including Michigan’s draft hopefuls. Here’s a look at the projected draft round grades for each player, plus Brugler’s scouting report.

Mason Graham — No. 4 overall prospect, No. 1 defensive tackle

Grade: 1st round

Brugler: “A two-year starter at Michigan, Graham was a three-technique defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s four-man front (76.6 percent of his career snaps came over the B-gap). Although his backfield production doesn’t jump off the stat sheet, Graham was arguably the most valuable defensive player on the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship team and played even better (with lesser talent around him) in 2024.

“Graham naturally plays from a low position to consistently win leverage through contact — he credits his athletic twitch and understanding of angles to his championship-level wrestling background. He needs to develop his efficiency versus double teams, but he violently sheds single blocks and plays the piano up and down the line with his outstanding chase effort. Overall, Graham is a leverage monster and skillfully destroys blocks with his strength, quickness, motor and play recognition to make an impact versus both pass and run. He projects as a versatile interior presence with the floor of an NFL starter.”

Colston Loveland — No. 11 overall prospect, No. 2 tight end

Grade: 1st round

Brugler: “A three-year starter at Michigan, Loveland was a versatile tight end in head coach Sherrone Moore’s pro-style scheme, lining up primarily in the slot (47.6 percent of the time) and inline/wing (32.5 percent) as a junior. From the moment he arrived in Ann Arbor, he was one of the most talented players on the roster and made an immediate impact his first two years, including as the Wolverines’ leading receiver in the 2023 national championship game. His final season was marred by injury and below-average quarterback play, but he still led the team in receiving in nine of the 10 games he played and set Michigan records for the tight end position.

“With his speed and ball skills, Loveland can line up anywhere on the field and win as a quarterback-friendly, multilevel receiving threat. He isn’t a liability as a one-pop, get-in-the-way blocker but will struggle to sustain or control NFL edge defenders. Overall, Loveland doesn’t have the skill set for full-time inline responsibilities, but his dynamic movements, natural hands and football awareness should make him one of the primary targets in an NFL offense. His tools and upside are reminiscent of Zach Ertz.”

Will Johnson — No. 18 overall prospect, No. 2 cornerback

Grade: 1st round

Brugler: “A three-year starter at Michigan, Johnson was an outside cornerback in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s zone-heavy scheme (only 14.8 percent of his coverage snaps came in man to man in 2024). After an All-America sophomore season, including defensive MVP honors in the national title game, he put up-and-down play on his early 2024 tape before missing most of his final season because of injuries.

“Johnson is comfortable in both press and off coverage with the fluid athleticism and route recognition to seamlessly transition or attack the football. He isn’t shy about getting physical at the tops of routes and in pursuit, but his tackling mechanics and execution need work. Overall, Johnson is more “good” than “great” in terms of twitch and speed, but he has outstanding eyes, feet and coverage IQ to match and make plays on the football. He projects as a day one starting outside cornerback in the NFL.”

Kenneth Grant — No. 25 overall prospect, No. 3 defensive tackle

Grade: 1st-2nd round

Brugler: “A two-year starter at Michigan, Grant was an interchangeable defensive tackle in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s four-man front, lining up as both a three-technique and nose tackle. He went viral during the 2023 season when he chased down Penn State running back Kaytron Allen in the open field, and he was a steady presence on the Wolverines’ defensive line the past two seasons.

“A dominant run presence, Grant is a powerful boulder who can execute two-gap techniques or stack single blocks and work down the line with quickness. He looks to fire off the ball, although his tall pads will negate his leverage and lower-body strength, diminishing his bull rush and limiting the ways in which he can impact the quarterback. Overall, Grant plays big in a big man’s game, but he also has the athletic traits and effort to grow into more than just a stout run stopper. He projects as an early-down NFL starter with three-down upside.”

Josaiah Stewart — No. 16 edge rusher

Grade: 3rd round

Brugler: “A one-year starter at Michigan, Stewart lined up as a wide edge rusher (two- and three-point stance) in defensive coordinator Wink Martindale’s four-man front. Despite being late to the game (didn’t play varsity football until his junior year), he was an immediate difference-maker manning the “Bandit” position at Coastal Carolina and led the Sun Belt in sacks as a freshman. He transferred to Ann Arbor for his final two seasons and led the team in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles as a senior.

“An explosive pass rusher, Stewart has the arc acceleration and flexibility to win high-side, although his speed-to-power and bull rushes are uniquely effective when he is given a little runway. He plays bigger than he looks in the run game, although he will struggle to disengage when blockers are able to latch on to him. Overall, Stewart’s size won’t be for everyone, but he is an energetic athlete whose combination of twitchy get-off, crafty hands and relentless finish can make him a pass-rush factor from day one. His talent suggests he can be more than a pass-rush specialist in the NFL.”

Myles Hinton — No. 14 offensive tackle

Grade: 5th round

Brugler: “A two-year starter at Michigan, Hinton stepped in at left tackle in head coach Sherrone Moore’s run-heavy multiple run scheme. The son of a seven-time Pro Bowler, he had a rocky tenure at Stanford before transferring to Ann Arbor, where he played his best football in 2024 after switching from right tackle to the left side.

“In the run game, Hinton ties up and secures on angle blocks and looks comfortable covering up second-level defenders on the move. He has the play strength to finish in pass protection when he stays squared, although his upright posture and average hand use can leave him stressed against crafty pass rushers. Overall, Hinton leaves you wanting more on his tape, but his traits are appealing — he has the length, feet and core strength to stabilize his blocks. He projects as a depth piece for an NFL offensive line, with swing-tackle potential.”

Kalel Mullings — No. 23 running back

Grade: 5th-6th round

Brugler: “A one-year starter at Michigan, Mullings separated himself as the top back in head coach Sherrone Moore’s run-heavy multiple run scheme. Known more as a backup linebacker and special-teamer entering the 2024 season, he was barely on the NFL radar, but he quickly passed Donovan Edwards on the depth chart and received draftable grades from NFL scouts.

“Mullings creates an inside surge as a runner, and most of his clutch runs came from his determination and physicality to stay alive through contact — especially late in games. Although he is a bigger back with only average suddenness, he runs with balanced feet and shifts his weight seamlessly in his cuts. Overall, Mullings doesn’t offer any difference-making qualities, but he follows his blocks and grinds yards. His experience on special teams will help separate him on an NFL depth chart. How quickly he gains the trust of his NFL coaches as a blocker and pass catcher will determine his early playing time.”

Donovan Edwards — No. 28 running back

Grade: 6th-7th round

Brugler: “A part-time player at Michigan, Edwards shared backfield duties in head coach Sherrone Moore’s run-heavy multiple run scheme. After a breakout sophomore season, he was viewed as a potential future top-100 pick by NFL scouts, but his junior and senior seasons fell well below expectations (yards per carry dropped from 7.1 in 2022 to 4.4 over the 2023-24 seasons combined).

“Edwards is hyper-aggressive attacking the line of scrimmage, which allows him to make tight 90-degree cuts or explode to the second level when the hole is there, but his lack of patience and tempo often leaves him bottled up. Despite a career low in targets as a senior, he has large, accepting hands with the versatility to line up in the slot or out wide. Overall, Edwards’ inconsistent vision and contact balance as an inside runner will limit his role in the NFL, but his pass-catching skills could be his saving grace toward earning a roster spot. He projects as a change-of-pace runner with receiving versatility.”

William Wagner — No. 1 long snapper

Grade: 7th round

Josh Priebe — No. 36 offensive guard

Grade: Free agent

Makari Paige — No. 55 safety

Grade: Free agent

Aamir Hall — No. 114 cornerback

Grade: Free agent

Wesley Walker — No. 148 safety

Grade: Free agent