Friday marks Michigan’s Pro Day and it felt like a good time to do another simulated mock draft. Once again, I fully simulated seven rounds using PFF’s mock draft simulator and looked to see where the Wolverines landed in the sim.
You can find the first version that I did here, if you would like to compare the two drafts.
Round 1 (11): Minnesota Vikings select QB J.J. McCarthy
McCarthy had the same landing spot in the previous sim I did. While it’s increasingly unlikely for McCarthy to fall to No.11, it’s extremely possible that Minnesota trades up to draft the Michigan QB. The Vikings had a private meeting with McCarthy and coach Kevin O’Connell appears to be really interested in McCarthy.
Round 2 (42): Houston Texans select CB Mike Sainristil
Sainristil slipped a couple of spots in this sim, but this looks to be about where Sainristil’s floor would be in the upcoming draft. He would be in a good situation in Houston with a top defensive minded coach to lean on.
Round 2 (50): Philadelphia Eagles select WR Roman Wilson
Wilson jumped 10 spots in this sim and would take a little pressure off of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith with the Eagles. Not sure if this would be a great fit for Wilson, but he would be on a winning team right away.
Round 3 (69): LA Chargers select LB Junior Colson
Ah, Jesse Minter and Jim Harbaugh take a Michigan player — who could’ve guessed. Colson was a tackling machine at Michigan and Minter knows Colson as well as anyone. The three-year LB could be a building block on the new-look Chargers’ defense.
Round 3 (75): Chicago Bears select DL Kris Jenkins
Jenkins falls a full round in this mock — he went in the 2nd round in the first to the Vikings. Not sure why Jenkins’ draft stock would drop. He’s a versatile defensive lineman that can rotate all over the line. You can stand Jenkins up, or he can put his hand in the dirt and stuff the ball carrier.
Round 3 (77): LV Raiders select RB Blake Corum
The Raiders recently released franchise RB Josh Jacobs, and while LV signed Alexander Mattison, the Raiders should be looking to add a RB in the draft. Wherever Corum lands, he will make a good impression and find a way to get on the field early.
Round 5 (137): New England Patriots select WR Cornelius Johnson
Not sure if any WR would want to go to New England right now, but Johnson would have a chance to get on the field early with the Patriots. A ton of mock drafts have Johnson going in the 4th or 5th round, but he has to talent to make an impact during his rookie season.
Round 5 (158): Miami Dolphins select LB Michael Barrett
Mel Kiper Jr. said Michael Barrett is someone who could stick around the NFL for a long time with as much as he can do on the field. Barrett isn’t a selfish player and will do whatever the team needs him to do. Barrett could find a niche as a special team star — like Josh Metellus did with Minnesota at first — and then work himself into a starting LB role.
Round 5 (164): Detroit Lions select G Zak Zinter
As I said in version 1.0, I just don’t see Zinter falling to round 5. I know he’s battling a season-ending injury that he endured against Ohio State last year, but the guard has too much talent to pass up. Zinter was an All-American at Michigan and he could’ve been the top guard off the board if he stayed healthy. I look for Zinter to go much earlier than round 5.
Round 5 (165): Baltimore Ravens select T LaDarius Henderson
Got to safely assume John Harbaugh will take a Michigan player — as he does every draft. Henderson spent just one season in Ann Arbor, but it was successful. He earned a starting job and you can place Henderson anywhere on the line and feel safe that he would do a solid job.
Round 5 (166): Carolina Panthers select EDGE Braiden McGregor
The Panthers had loaded up this offseason on the defense, but Carolina wants Braiden McGregor in this sim. McGregor had battled some injuries during his career, however, 2023 was a healthy year and he was productive. It feels like the best of McGregor is yet to come and he should make a franchise very happy.
Round 5 (167): Minnesota Vikings select C Drake Nugent
The Vikings chose Nugent in the first sim — like McCarthy. Nugent is a smart player, but will need to show that he can withstand NFL size and strength coming at him. Nugent should became a good depth piece wherever he lands.
Round 5 (175): New Orleans Saints select G Trevor Keegan
Keegan was a 6th round pick in the last sim, so he goes a full round earlier in this one. Keegan was a big part of Michigan’s success running the football the past few seasons and while he might not be the flashiest player ever, Keegan gets the job done.
Round 6 (184): Miami Dolphins select EDGE Jaylen Harrell
The Dolphins picked Michael Barrett in Round 5, and they look back to Ann Arbor to shore up some Edge issues. Harrell is a great athlete that could make a name for himself in the NFL. He was arguably the Wolverines top Edge player from the 2023 season.
Round 6 (191): Indianapolis Colts select TE AJ Barner
It seems like the Colts always select a TE in the draft, so why not keep it going. Barner came to Michigan from Indiana and spent a lone season with the Wolverines. Barner proved that can do it all as a TE. Barner has great hands and isn’t afraid to block.
Round 6 (205): Detroit Lions select CB Josh Wallace
Lions’ fans would be happy with Detroit takes two Wolverines in the draft. Wallace became a great starting CB for Michigan after spending his entire career with UMass. The Wolverines weren’t worried about placing Wallace in a starting role across from Will Johnson — he held his own.
Round 6 (217): LA Rams select T Trente Jones
As in the previous sim, Jones was the last Michigan player selected. Jones could’ve benefited from coming back to Michigan for one last season and starting an entire year, but the rotational piece felt like it was time to enter the NFL and Jones appears to be in line to go anywhere from the 5th round to the 7th round.
