Michigan Thursday: Wolverines in the NFL Draft

Tonight is the start of the NFL Draft.  As you know the NFL moved the 1st round to Prime time last year, so we will get round 1 tonight and the rest of the draft over Friday and Saturday. 

It's a fun event because you can watch you favorite NFL team pick players to fill needs and you hope your favorite Wolverines get drafted by teams and situations where they can play quickly.   Today, I will give you ESPN's take on where they might fall and I will add my $.02.

Wolverines That Will Be Drafted:

1.  Mike Martin is the 10th DT in the draft and the 78th player overall.  He is projected to be picked up in the 3rd round.  Mike is a player a ton of scouts love due to his non-stop motor and upper body strength.  The only negative is his height at just 6'1 which is a bit small for a DT.   I think Mike is going to be a great Pro and you will see teams try to draft him in the late second or early 3rd.    Teams may trade up to get Mike.

2. David Molk is the 3rd rated Center in the draft and 113th player overall.   Take what I said about Mike above and copy and paste it here.   There are some concerns about David's ability to stay healthy with a number of injuries including one in the Sugar Bowl.   David is projected to be a 4th round guy and I think he might stay there due to his health issues.   His leadership and strength is off the charts and will be a nice value to whoever picks him up.

3.  Junior Hemingway is the 37th WR and the 248th player in the draft.  He is projected to be a late round pick up.   Junior has great hands and a nice leaper but lacks the elite speed NFL teams are looking for.  I think Junior will get drafted because he had a really good Sugar Bowl winning the MVP award.   People remember BCS Bowl Games when it's the only football on TV that night.  That performance along with a strong combine will help Junior get drafted in the 6th or 7th round.   It is a very strong WR draft this year, which could hurt Junior's chances. 

Wolverines on the Bubble:

Ryan Van Bergen is the 46th DE and is carrying a Free Agent grade.  I think Ryan will get drafted and said on Twitter yesterday that he has been taking a ton of calls from NFL teams and expects to be drafted.   Being under Greg Mattison will be a huge benefit for Ryan and I think a team will draft him in the 7th round.

Kevin Koger is the 10 TE and is carrying a late round grade on getting drafted.   The problem is Kevin just tore his Achilles tendon last week and had surgery.  If he didn't get injured I expected Kevin to get drafted, now I expect him to be a free agent.   I feel bad for Kevin on the timing of his injury. 

Wolverines looking at a Free Agent Contract:

Mike Shaw is the 40th RB and not expected to get drafted.  His concussion issues is a concern but his speed will probably earn him a FA contract.

Troy Woolfolk is the 41st Safety and is not expected to be drafted.  Troy's injury and poor performance last year at CB and Safety might cost him an NFL draft spot.  I expect he will sign a FA contract and could make a team if he is 100% healthy and recovered from his broken ankle.

Brandon Herron is the 71st OLB and not expected to be drafted.  If people watch the tape of the Western Michigan game you would think he is an NFL Pro Bowler.   The problem is, he didn't play after that game.   Not sure he will sign an NFL Contract.

Martavious Odoms:  127th WR and not expected to be drafted.  Too bad he was hurt during the early part of his senior year and would of had a bigger impact in Big AL's offense.   He played well late in the season and caught some really nice passes from Denard.   I think he has an outside shot at signing a contact for a return guy or special teams player. 

Kelvin Grady:  Is not rated and his speed alone could get him a FA contract.
 

Good luck to all the Wolverines this weekend!