After capturing the 2024 CFB National Championship back on January 8, the Michigan Wolverines have had 20 players declare for the NFL Draft. Given all of talent in this year’s class of Wolverines, there’s a chance they could break Georgia’s record of having 15 players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Although most of the Wolverines who declared will certainly find a home in the NFL, there are a handful of guys who figure to be high on the wishlist for several NFL teams. Here is a list of the first five Wolverines who will likely be selected in the 2024 NFL Draft:
- JJ McCarthy
McCarthy joins a deep quarterback field for the 2024 NFL Draft, including guys like Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (UNC), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Bo Nix (Oregon), and Micheal Penix Jr. (Washington). Although I certainly think that McCarthy is a first-round talent, he’s currently projected to be the fourth or fifth quarterback off of the board. Williams, Maye, and Daniels all figure to go fairly early in the first-round, leaving McCarthy, Nix, and Penix Jr. as the next best options.
2. Zak Zinter
The draft outlook for Zak Zinter would look much different if not for the season ending injury he sustained in the final week of the regular season against Ohio State. The good news for Zinter is that he’s healing quickly, and the leg injury shouldn’t have any negative impact on his production at the next level. That being said, Zinter is unquestionably one of the top guards in this year’s draft. He’s a unanimous All-American who started all four years at the University of Michigan (45 games with 42 starts).
When looking at all of the prospects Michigan is sending to the NFL this year, Zinter feels like the safest pick of them all. There’s very little doubt he will have a long and productive career in the NFL.
3. Kris Jenkins
Known as “the mutant” around Ann Arbor, Kris Jenkins is an athletic freak who will certainly be a phenomenal addition to any NFL defense. At 6-3, 305 pounds, his versatility will serve him will at the next level. Much like Mazi Smith in 2022, Jenkins served as the anchor for Michigan’s defensive front in 2023 – and his presence helped create the most dominant defense in all of college football.
4. Blake Corum
The NFL Franchise that chooses to draft Blake Corum is getting exactly what you want from a running back. A blue collar guy, an unmatched work ethic and commitment to the game, a guy who puts the needs of the team over his own personal ambitions, and a guy who cares about giving back to his community. On the field, Corum has phenomenal body control, can change direction on a dime, and has a quick burst out of the gate.
There are a number of good running backs in this year’s draft class, but Blake Corum should be at the top of the list.
5. Junior Colson
Battling through multiple injuries in 2023, Junior Colson still finished the season as the team’s leading tackler for the second year in a row. Physically speaking, the 6-3, 250 pound product has everything you want in a linebacker – a guy who’s good against the run and in coverage. There are still some areas where Colson will need to develop, but he’s also the type of guy who will likely establish himself as a long term key contributor at the next level.
