With the 2015 NFL draft coming and going as fast as the Tate Forcier hype train, most Michigan fans and analysts started looking at the 2016 draft and wondering how many Wolverines players, if any, would hear their name called.
Hearing that several people were discussing whether or not Michigan’s draft streak (77 drafts in a row) would continue had me baffled. Now, I know Team 136 will not be stacked full of 1st round picks but the senior talent is there and I believe there are at least three guys who are locks to be draft (barring any injuries or off the field issues) in the 2016 NFL draft.
Locks* to be drafted
- LB Joe Bolden
- Bolden has all of the physical and mental traits that NFL coaches drool over as a linebacker and with a year to learn and develop under Harbaugh and Durkin, I believe he could be a very high pick.
- Projection: 2nd-4th
- CB Wayne Lyons
- Lyons will be transferring into Michigan for his 5th year and was seen by most draft analysts as a mid round pick this past year. And with the potential of the Wolverines secondary and defense in 2015, there’s a good chance he improves that projection.
- Projection: 3rd-5th
- Lyons will be transferring into Michigan for his 5th year and was seen by most draft analysts as a mid round pick this past year. And with the potential of the Wolverines secondary and defense in 2015, there’s a good chance he improves that projection.
- OL Graham Glasgow
- While off the field issues could definitely hurt his draft stock a bit, Glasgow is a versatile lineman that can play all five spots on the line and play them at a high level. With a year of development under Drevno, I believe he is a safe bet to be drafted.
- Projection: 4th-7th
- While off the field issues could definitely hurt his draft stock a bit, Glasgow is a versatile lineman that can play all five spots on the line and play them at a high level. With a year of development under Drevno, I believe he is a safe bet to be drafted.
As for the other seniors, here is a list of possibilities:
- S Jarrod Wilson
- Projection: 4th-UDFA
- DE/OLB Mario Ojemudia
- Projection: 5th-UDFA
- LB James Ross III
- Projection: 5th-UDFA
- QB Jake Rudock
- Projection: 6th-UDFA
- CB Blake Countess
- Projection: 6th-UDFA
- LB Royce Jenkins-Stone
- Projection: 6th-UDFA
- DT Ondre Pipkins
- Projection: 6th-UDFA
- LB Desmond Morgan
- Projection: 7th-UDFA
- FB Joe Kerridge
- Projection: 7th-UDFA
- FB Sione Houma
- Projection: 7th-UDFA
- TE AJ Williams
- Projection: UDFA
As for the underclassman that could look to leave early with a big 2015 season, here is the list of possibilities:
- TE Jake Butt, JR
- Projection: 2nd-4th
- DE Taco Charlton, JR
- Projection: 2nd-5th
- CB Jourdan Lewis, JR
- Projection: 3rd-6th
- DL Willie Henry, RS JR
- Projection: 3rd-6th
- RB Ty Isaac, RS SO
- Projection: 4th-7th
- OG Kyle Kalis, RS JR
- Projection: 4th-7th
Call me crazy or overly optimistic but having an all-star, NFL quality coaching staff and a (likely) top 10-20 defense, I believe Michigan not only will continue their ridiculous draft streak but I believe they will be well represented at the 2016 NFL draft.
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