Will 2024 be a record year for football players drafted?

Submitted by SanDiegoWolverine on January 17th, 2023 at 7:09 PM

So in 1972 and 2017 we had 11 players drafted by the NFL. With all the players coming back next year here's the players I think have a solid chance of getting drafted next year. Some of these guys may not declare but it looks like we're pretty loaded this fall.

  • McCarthy
  • Corum
  • Edwards
  • Wilson
  • Johnson
  • Henderson
  • Zinter
  • Keegan
  • Nugent
  • Jenkins
  • Stewart
  • Colson
  • Barrett
  • Sainristil
  • Moore

That's 15 guys that I feel pretty good about if they end up in the draft and that's not counting the winner of the RT battle, whoever gets the CB slot, and maybe a surprise on the defensive line. Did I miss anyone? Is it reasonable to think we could really get 15 guys drafted in one year?

 

 

 

MGoBoard
Football
NFL draft

Vasav

January 17th, 2023 at 7:16 PM ^

Crazy thing to me is this - in 2022, we lost 3 first-round-talents on D, our center, and Hassan Haskins (as well as an OT and not-NFL CB). In 2023, we lose 3 2nd-round-talents on D, our 2nd-rounder center, Ronnie Bell, an OT, and another CB who's probably a 3rd day pick.

What a time to be alive. I think 2024's NFL draft will feature a ton of Wolverines, and yes I think it's reasonable to see that many draftees. Unfortunately that means Davis Warren and a 5* freshman will be battling it out to lead a "rebuilding year" team. But that's totally worth it.

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19255

Richard75

January 17th, 2023 at 11:44 PM ^

Unfortunately that means Davis Warren and a 5* freshman will be battling it out to lead a "rebuilding year" team.

Doubtful U-M would go into the season with those as the sole options.

OSU has two unknowns at QB this fall, but both were big recruits, and both will have had at least a year and a half on campus (Brown and McCord were both early enrollees). A true FR and an untested former walk-on is a different story.

The only way that duo seems reasonable is if Warren isn’t untested—i.e., if McCarthy gets hurt this fall and Warren shows out in his absence. Otherwise, you need to hit the portal—at the very least for a credible competitor but preferably for a Notre Dame/Sam Hartman-type QB1 rental.

Joined: 09/23/2008

MGoPoints: 5291

outsidethebox

January 18th, 2023 at 8:12 AM ^

Davis Warren assuages all my fears in regards to the QB room. 

Sure, there is always a chance of regression in 2024. I believe the chance of a very pleasant surprise are much greater than there being a significant regression. The OL and DL will be top five in the country-which sets a very nice floor...and these guys win you a lot of games. 

Joined: 01/23/2017

MGoPoints: 18816

Vasav

January 18th, 2023 at 2:10 PM ^

It's oversaid but underappreciated - football is won in the trenches. Even those who say it and believe it go ga-ga when a Randy Moss, Marshawn Lynch or a Patrick Mahomes goes off. And no doubt, the best offensive ball handler is typically the most important guy on your offense, and the quarterback is typically the most important player on your team. But the 5 OL are more important as a group to the success of a play, drive, or gameplan than the 6 guys who touch the ball. (On defense, the front 7 get the love they deserve).

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19255

Vasav

January 18th, 2023 at 7:19 PM ^

A) Last year, UGA had 5 defensive players in the first round of the draft, and two more LBs in the 3rd round (including unanimous all-american, Nakobe Dean). They also had a couple of ball-handlers taken in the 2nd round. I'm not familiar enough with their team to predict who they're losing to the draft this year, only to note that 1) I think they were better last year and 2) they lose their QB this year.

EDIT: Looked at Kiper's big board, they have 3 first rounders (one is an OT, other 2 on D), and also lose their QB, RB, their not Brock Bowers TE, their center, an edge, and a safety. So, at least in the draft, they're losing more than us, and weren't as good as last year's UGA but were about as good as last year's M (but again - we lose less to the draft this year but were a better squad)

B) I want to catch them, and want to win the natty. I absolutely love that we are now comparing ourselves to them. It's a first step.

C) Yea we have some stuff to worry about for 2024...let's see how it shakes out

Joined: 12/13/2009

MGoPoints: 19255

Killer Khakis

January 17th, 2023 at 7:20 PM ^

Out of this list who leaves at the end of 2023:

  • McCarthy- 50/50
  • Corum-Yes
  • Edwards-Yes
  • Wilson- No
  • Johnson-Yes
  • Henderson-Yes
  • Zinter-Yes
  • Keegan-Yes
  • Nugent-No
  • Jenkins-Yes
  • Stewart-No
  • Colson-50/50
  • Barrett-Yes
  • Sainristil-Yes
  • Moore-No

So while we lost a ton, I can see some guys with a lack of great film or who are rotating with other key figures (Nugent, Stewart, Colson, Moore) may come back either to put more film on, lack that elite athleticism to be day 2 pick, or NIL will entice them to stay. I see the Don leaving, and JJ may be 50/50 stay or go depending on how the season goes. 

Joined: 12/03/2015

MGoPoints: 5041

bluesalt

January 17th, 2023 at 8:15 PM ^

What’s crazy is that almost all of next year’s projected OL (in addition to JJ and the RBs) all have at least two year’s remaining.  Hopefully we’ve started saving up for next year’s One More Year Fun already.  
 

Joined: 11/02/2011

MGoPoints: 8573

WalterWhite_88

January 17th, 2023 at 8:29 PM ^

I have a gut feeling that JJ won't be leaving after next year. I think he loves being a Michigan QB too much and he even said last year that he was going to stay all 4 years. 

Joined: 06/14/2019

MGoPoints: 4623

sdogg1m

January 17th, 2023 at 9:26 PM ^

I am unsure if 2024 will be a record year for draft picks but I am sure I like that list of names and am thrilled they will be playing on our 2023 squad.

Joined: 09/13/2008

MGoPoints: 5790

Scottwood

January 17th, 2023 at 9:53 PM ^

It depends if JJ, Colson and Moore leave.  If they do, I see 12 automatic draft picks:

McCarthy, Corum, Edwards, Wilson, Johnson, Henderson, Zinter, Keegan, Jenkins, Colson, Sainristil, Moore.

 

McCarthy, Edwards, Zinter, Jenkins and Moore would all possibly be top 60 picks.

Joined: 01/08/2009

MGoPoints: 730

OldSchoolWolverine

January 18th, 2023 at 12:04 AM ^

I'll admit, I'm nervous to see that list. Fees like the team will be decimated.  Of course there will be young guys coming up by then, but that is excessive.  I think Harbaugh will be on that list, despite his buyout. 

Joined: 11/03/2013

MGoPoints: 27137

Bacon Bread

January 18th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^

This is a good list to keep an eye on. It will be interesting to see how NIL evolves and whether you'll have some number of guys who would be drafted decide to stay next year.

The NFL draft was 17 rounds in 1972 (26 teams, 442 picks), so it's not really comparable to the modern draft (32 teams, 7 rounds, 224 picks). From a quick scan, it looks like 7 U-M players were drafted in the first 7 rounds in 1972.

Joined: 11/23/2015

MGoPoints: 392

Golden section

January 18th, 2023 at 2:09 PM ^

Bryce Young is smaller than JJ. Quarterbacks are often drafted higher than other positions.

Ewers and Caleb Williams are the top QB's on the board and likely to go top 5. After that there are a tier of 5 or 6 guys that include McCarthy. He has a good arm, great legs, is creative and throws well out of the pocket. Some scouting reports suggest he has inconsistent mechanics though. That is a flag because it is hard to correct.

 He won't usurp Williams or Ewers but with a good year he should move up in that middle pack.

NFL Draft Buzz has Corum ranked 4th and Edwards ranked 12th. 

Draft Countdown has Edwards as a 2nd round pick. The highest rated Michigan player.

It's just too early but the NFL prioritizes physical measurables over college production. While we may get a lot of guys drafted there might not be many in the first 2 days. 

Joined: 10/19/2020

MGoPoints: 6891