Michigan football NFL draft prospects: Weekend promises to be busy
Michigan football had eight players picked in last year's NFL draft, but only one in the first round (Kwity Paye, No. 21 overall to Indianapolis Colts).
This year promises at least one Wolverine getting his named called early on Thursday. And he might be the first guy to bear-hug Roger Goodell in Las Vegas.
Here's a quick look at the NFL draft hopefuls coming out of Michigan:
DE Aidan Hutchinson
Height/weight: 6-foot-7, 260 pounds
2021 stats: 62 tackles, 16.2 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, Heisman Trophy finalist, Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
Projection: Among the small handful of players who could be drafted No. 1 overall. Talent evaluators love Hutchinson's athleticism, especially after a 6.73-second three-cone drill at the NFL combine, and his production last season, which included three-sack games against Penn State and Ohio State.
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S Dax Hill
Height/weight: 6-0, 191 pounds.
2021 stats: 69 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions (All-Big Ten first team coaches, second team media).
Projection: Hill was the crown jewel of the 2019 recruiting class and become an interchangeable tool on U-M's defense almost instantly. Displayed the ability to cover receivers in the middle of the field and tackle well, and could go as high as the middle of Round 1.
DE David Ojabo
Height/weight: 6-4, 250 pounds.
2021 stats: 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11 sacks (All-Big Ten first team coaches and media).
Projection: At the end of last season, Ojabo was thought to be a top-10 pick, thanks to his consistent production as a pass rusher. But an Achilles tear during the Michigan pro day has sunk his draft stock. Or has it? That devastating injury may not scare off a team late in the first round.
OL Andrew Stueber
Height/weight: 6-7, 325 pounds
2021 stats: 14 starts at right tackles (All-Big Ten first team coaches, third team media).
Projection: A fixture on the best offensive line in the country last season, Stueber has been worked out at all three offensive line positions with NFL teams. A third-day draft pick will likely be his fate.
RB Hassan Haskins
Height/weight: 6-2, 228 pounds.
2021 stats: 1,327 yards rushing, 20 touchdowns; 18 receptions, 131 yards (All-Big Ten first team coaches and media).
Projection: Haskins' bruising run style made him the leading rusher on a team known for his ground game last season. He doesn't project to be a starter right away, but more likely a complimentary back and special teamer, which means a likely Day 3 selection.
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DL Christopher Hinton
Height/weight: 6-4, 305 pounds
2021 stats: 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack (All-Big Ten honorable mention coaches and media).
Projection: The unheralded middle man on Michigan defensive line has an NFL pedigree: his father, Chris, was a seven-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman and a first-round pick in the 1983 draft. But the son was a former five-star recruit out of Atlanta and with his size and athleticism, could be a Day 3 pick.
CB Vincent Gray
Height/weight: 6-2, 192 pounds
2021 stats: 44 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, eight pass breakups (All-Big Ten third team media).
Projection: This size alone makes him an attractive prospect, but his coverage skills are not thoroughly defined. However, he's used to being "on an island" with receivers. He was the top corner on the eight-best scoring defense last season and could be a late-round selection.
Others to watch
Brad Hawkins, S; Josh Ross, LB; Daylen Baldwin, WR, Donovan Jeter, DT.
Contact Kirkland Crawford: kcrawford@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @HiKirkHere.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football NFL draft prospects: How many first-rounders?
