Three Michigan football players make 2023 PFF Top 50 NFL draft big board
It is well known that Team 144 may be Jim Harbaugh’s best pool of talent heading into a season. With over 80% of the roster returning for the 2023 season, the Wolverines have a lot of talent that’s expected to contend at the next level.
In fact, so much so three Michigan players made the PFF top 50 big board, which determines the most draftable prospects coming out of college football.
The highest-ranked Wolverine on the list is defensive lineman Kris Jenkins at No. 20. PFF thinks very highly of ‘the mutant’ noting that he was incredible against the run, but there is still some things he could improve upon in 2023.
Jenkins stood out as a run defender as a junior last season at Michigan. At 6-foot-2 1/2 and 292 pounds, Jenkins earned a positive grade on 29.2% of his run-defense snaps — an incredibly high number, especially for a player of his size. He also missed just one tackle on 233 run-defense snaps. Jenkins’ ability to play with good leverage is a calling card of his. His shoulder pads are so low in his stance, yet he is able to fully explode out of his stance to get into his blockers and the backfield.
Next is Blake Corum at No. 41. Surprisingly, Corum is the second highest-rated running back behind Florida State tailback Trey Benson. That’s not to say that Corum isn’t PFF’s top running back in college, but as far as draftability, the site has him below Benson in the rankings.
He has incredible contact balance, fantastic vision, quick footwork and so much more. He even brings good third-down skills with soft hands and a fiery willingness as a blocker. His 5-foot-8 stature be damned — this dude can play.
The final Wolverine in the top 50 is junior running back Donovan Edwards, who comes in at No. 44. Edwards plans to enter the NFL draft following this season and having a big season could improve his status.
There are times when Edwards is a bit impatient behind his blockers because he’s ready to just unleash his speed, but his vision and processing are as fast as his legs can carry him. Don’t let the fact that he splits time with Corum fool you into thinking he’s not a top back in this class.
Certainly, there are other players who could rise throughout the season — such as safety Rod Moore, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, and edge rusher Braiden McGregor. But they’ll either have to rise in consistency, have an eye-popping year, or — in McGregor’s case — show off his athleticism, something he hasn’t done much of since he’s played his entire career as a backup.
