2021 nfl draft
The NFL Draft is a nice weekend because no matter how the football team did the previous season, Michigan fans can be assured they'll see a Wolverine achieve a professional dream every single year since 1938, a streak unmatched by any school except USC. That run continued in last weekend's 2021 edition, though Michigan State's 80-year streak was snapped. Tragic.
Michigan had eight players drafted, tied for the fifth-most of any college with Florida—Alabama and (sigh) Ohio State had the most with ten, followed by Georgia and Notre Dame. Other Big Ten programs with at least three selections were Penn State (6), Iowa (4), Northwestern (3, including two first-rounders), and Wisconsin (3). That number is a bit misleading in terms of how much talent the Wolverines fielded last season, though:
Kwity Paye: injured off and on
— Dan (@ThiccStauskas) May 3, 2021
Jalen Mayfield: DNP after MSU
Nico Collins: opted out
Ambry Thomas: opted out
Cam McGrone: injured off and on
Ben Mason: is a FB
Cameron Cheeseman: is a long snapper and opted out
Sorry, sorry, this was supposed to be fun. Let's take a look at where the former Wolverines were picked and the roles they project to play at the next level.
DE Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts, Round 1, 21st overall
This is why the draft is worth watching:
“She’s done working. She’s retired.”
— PFF (@PFF) April 30, 2021
Kwity Paye shares a moment with his mom after getting drafted ❤️
pic.twitter.com/un4XDz7VrP
Paye was the second defensive end off the board in what's considered a down year for edge rushers. He joins a solid Indianapolis front four that could use some pass-rushing pop from strongside end, where he'll be in competition to start right away—as a first-round pick he'll get every opportunity to take hold of the job.
His disciplined run defense and high-level athleticism should translate right away, and the expectation is his pass-rushing production will improve with development (and not playing in front of M's 2020 secondary). He'll at least be a consistent rotation player.
No matter what, Paye's estimated $7.3 million signing bonus will afford his mom plenty of leisure time.
[Hit THE JUMP]
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