2022 UM NFL draft prospects
Barring an apocalypse Michigan will extend its nations leading streak of having a player selected in the NFL draft to 84 years this spring. Let’s take a look at some of the players and where they might go.
Graduated: No eligibility left:
Hawkins: Will likely be selected. Mid round pick.
Vastardis: Never would have thought he was an NFL prospect but I would say he has a chance at at least being an undrafted free agent.
Players with eligibility left who could/will go.
Hutchinson: Gone. Top 5 pick
Ojabo: Almost certainly gone. First round pick.
Hill: Likely gone. Late first/2nd round pick.
Haskins: Likely gone. Probably not a high pick but probably won’t improve his stock coming back. I think he will be a mid-late round pick.
Steuber: Gone. Announced he is going to the senior bowl but could have come back for a 6th year. Probably a mid-late round pick.
Ross: Could come back for a 6th year but I’m doubtful despite the whispers. We shall see. Late round/UDFA most likely if he goes.
Hinton/Smith: Really no idea how high their stock is but I’m very hopeful they will both be back to anchor our DL next year.
Eric All, Cornelius Johnson, and Ryan Hayes are three other players who could potentially entertain leaving early although I would not expect any of them to declare. However there are no certain tees and depending on how the season ends could play a factor as well.
December 9th, 2021 at 3:44 PM ^
Someone here mentioned that Ross is gone.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:32 AM ^
He led the team in tackles and the next closest player was almost 20 behind him. I don't think there is much more he can prove. The knock is that he is not that good in coverage but he usually makes the tackle and doesn't give up many yards after the catch. He's been a very consistent contributor and will be playing on Sunday. Another year probably wont change his stock enough to risk playing for free anymore. He gone.
December 9th, 2021 at 3:50 PM ^
I'm certain tees can be found here:
December 9th, 2021 at 3:58 PM ^
Talk to text got me there. If only there was this fancy thing called an edit button. Probably too futuristic.
December 10th, 2021 at 5:39 AM ^
alternatively, one could actually read their own work before hitting ‘post.’
December 9th, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^
(Patrick) Surtain Tee (shirt)
December 9th, 2021 at 3:51 PM ^
Hopefully your draft projections are right, but life is chock full of uncertain tees.
December 9th, 2021 at 3:57 PM ^
I believe the expression is *chalk-filled*
December 9th, 2021 at 4:16 PM ^
Rock chalk. But nobody knows what it means.
December 9th, 2021 at 3:54 PM ^
I can't see either of the DTs leaving. They could both really improve their stock coming back for another year or two.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:44 PM ^
I could maybe see Smith leaving because he'd probably get a mid-round grade right now. I think (hope) he'd try to get into the first or second round which he could definitely do with another year.
And yeah, Hinton is almost certainly coming back.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:03 PM ^
Hinton/Smith I think could be the anchor of the defense next year. I would bet both guys - especially Smith - are somewhere on draft radars, but I think both guys could break through as Top 100 picks with another year in Ann Arbor.
On the same token, losing those guys would hurt immensely. I think both are going through their breakout stage, and they could be a force on the interior while the Hutch/Ojabo (assuming he is going to go) replacements get up to speed in their starting roles.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:52 PM ^
Jeter has also been making plays in the backfield. He and Welschof will help complete a great rotation next season.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
Jeter could come back next year believe it or not.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:47 PM ^
He could probably get signed to a practice squad, right? Will be interesting to see what he decides (or if he's offered another year, which I would think he def would be if either Smith or Hinton leave).
December 9th, 2021 at 5:52 PM ^
isn't he about 30 years old?
December 9th, 2021 at 4:06 PM ^
Hopefully you ran this through the proper channels to ensure this was thread worthy. We have rules around here. I'm not sure what the rules are, but they're definitely a fucked up set of rules.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:13 PM ^
Yeah I’m just waiting for the snowflake graphic.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:58 PM ^
Its your big moment East Quad.....
December 9th, 2021 at 5:04 PM ^
The first rule of the MGoBlog Board is that we don't talk about the posting rules for the MGoBlog Board.
Also, how DARE you, sir?
December 9th, 2021 at 4:21 PM ^
Austin Meek in The Athletic mentioned that Chuck Filiaga might not return for his "final final" year. Not sure how his draft status would be... honestly, for most of these guys their combine numbers are going to dictate a lot. Kind of a crap shoot to forecast anyone not on that top top tier.
Uncertain tees abound.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:49 PM ^
Probably similar to Jeter which is to say, not draftable but potential UDFA/practice player and also very much not certain to have the choice to come back. Could get a firm handshake.
December 9th, 2021 at 7:38 PM ^
Most numbers for lineman don't matter and Chuck will not be back but I could see him transfer to get a starting job. He isn't going to start for Michigan next year so why stay?
December 10th, 2021 at 1:39 AM ^
Filiaga needs another year.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:42 PM ^
I know EDGE is valued in the NFL but I struggle to see Ojabo going 1st round. 2nd seems reasonable for a one-dimensional rusher. Seems Steuber could sneak up a few rounds, possibly into the 3rd. The way a guy like D Henry was dominant this year could cause someone to view Haskins as a similar player and take him in the 2nd or 3rd. Ready for the Lions April Super Bowl.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:19 PM ^
What was Leveon Bells 40 when he came out?
December 9th, 2021 at 5:20 PM ^
The thing is NFLGMs don't care about pass rushers being one dimensional as long as they have athleticism and pass rush chop to succeed. These types of players are harder to find in the NFL. That's why Ojabo is a lock to get drafted at 1st round.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:51 PM ^
Derrick Henry has home run speed though. Henry's also a little bigger, I believe. Zero chance Haskins goes in the top 3 rounds but he will get drafted. He's a very good short yardage back that can catch some, block some and play special teams.
December 9th, 2021 at 6:59 PM ^
Give it too him, twice!
December 9th, 2021 at 7:36 PM ^
I am a huge Michigan guy but HH isn't in the same type of class as DH. Haskins is good and could be a 3 down back in the NFL but I don't see him being a top 3 RB in the NFL. Haskins can improve his stock with a game against Georgia and in the championship. Play good in those and put up good numbers testing and he could go early as 2nd Rd but that is a big ask. He runs hard, can catch the ball, doesn't put the ball on the ground, can get short yardage and has speed to take it to the house.
December 9th, 2021 at 7:48 PM ^
Love Haskins. But if a NFL GM thinks he is a D. Henry type back.....that GM probably works for a losing team.
December 9th, 2021 at 9:08 PM ^
We’ve seen Ojabo add some run D to his game over the year.
December 10th, 2021 at 1:45 AM ^
Haskins is like Ross. Both had good stats and played very well and provided great leadership. Cant see much more growth at this level, so it's time to move on to where they get paid to play and make room for the next wave of players.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:53 PM ^
Hard to see these guys improving their draft stock much. I'd love to see them stay, but the business decision is to strike when the iron is hot. If teams tell them they have good draft grades, they should go.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:20 PM ^
Or you know make the decision themselves based on their personal value system.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:55 PM ^
What the hell does that even mean? Taking a professional job has nothing to do with a personal "value system"
If some tech company had offered me a huge amount of money to take a job before I graduated (and yes, that DID happen with interns) I would have taken it. It has nothing to do with values.
There is nothing inherently "noble" in coming back to school over going pro. That is a misguided notion of past decades. College football is a business, and kid's careers are a business too. They should make the best decision for their own careers, not for the fandom of Michigan football.
December 9th, 2021 at 7:05 PM ^
Ojabo could potentially move from top 20 to top 5 if he added a little muscle and became a more complete everydown player like Hutch. He could really improve his presence in the run and setting the edge, even though he is making some plays doing that…but the money is there now, and it’s no guarantee to break top10 or top5, and he could get hurt….but he could potentially get himself a little better contract.
December 9th, 2021 at 8:19 PM ^
Ojabo is a first rounder as you said. Get to the league a year earlier, kick ass, get past the rookie contract earlier, profit big time.
December 9th, 2021 at 4:59 PM ^
I would have though Erick All's combination of athleticky-blocky-catchiness would be appealing to that league, but I don't really watch the NFL, so that's fine, very happy if he's back.
Ronnie, Blake, both QBs, Erick, Andrel, Donovan, Gattis (fingers crossed) ... next year's offense looks pretty great
December 9th, 2021 at 5:54 PM ^
It's certainly appealing. He'd probably be a late round pick if he left. But one more year could move him into 3rd round, maybe even 2nd. That's big difference in terms of money.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:56 PM ^
Not just money. Late round picks stick on rosters far less often.
December 9th, 2021 at 7:01 PM ^
All just needs to put more catch reps on tape. The dropsies last year would still hold him back a bit in evals IMO.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:25 PM ^
Don't forget Jake Moody. Kicker are rarely drafted but Jake has been very consistent this year.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:43 PM ^
Yeah, we need to get Moody some NIL money fast. Getting picked in the 6th or 7th round at best to fight for a single roster spot has to be something NIL can compete with.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:54 PM ^
i think the nfl minimum is about $600k.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:56 PM ^
Yeah, if he makes a roster it's obviously a no brainer. But that's a big IF. practice squad money is like $60k so NIL could potentially compete with that. Would hope we could throw that much at borderline draftable guys to make their decisions easier.
December 9th, 2021 at 5:57 PM ^
He's an award finalist for a playoff team. How will he ever make his stock higher?
December 9th, 2021 at 8:21 PM ^
I think that is the issue. Strike while the iron is hot. Earn the money while you can.