2022 UM NFL draft prospects

Submitted by TK on December 9th, 2021 at 3:39 PM

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.

DMack

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.  

Hail to the Vi…

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.

goblue2121

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.

JMo

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.

vondonation

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. 

blueandmaizeballs

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.   

JamieH

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.  

JamieH

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.

jhayes1189

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. 

Newton Gimmick

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