The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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2. Charles Woodson, CB, Oakland Raid- ers (1998) Woodson left Michigan after three years Charles Woodson followed up his stellar U-M career by earning All-Pro accolades seven times Michigan's Top NFL Draft Picks In The Modern Era First-Round Phenoms BY CHRIS BALAS ichigan has sent its share of tal- ent to the NFL over the years. Some of the Wolverines' best — such as New England's Tom Brady, a sixth-round pick — weren't first- day picks, but many others have been. Here are Michigan's top first-round picks in the modern era (since the first Super Bowl season in 1966-67): 1. Tom Mack, OG, Los Angeles Rams (Drafted in 1967) The 1966 All-Big Ten lineman was the Rams' first pick (No. 2 overall) and entered M the NFL Hall of Fame in 1999 following a career that spanned 13 seasons. Mack dominated his left guard position at 6-3, 250 pounds, starting in his first season and earn- ing his first of 11 Pro Bowl invitations (tied for third all time when he retired) in only his second season. Mack never missed a contest in his 184-game career, a consecutive games streak that ranks third in Rams history, and earned All-Pro or All-NFC honors nine times. He helped lead Los Angeles to a 129-48-7 record in his tenure, including eight division championships and four NFC championship game appearances. 198 s THE WOLVERINE 2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW and being selected to the Pro Bowl on eight occasions during his first 14 NFL seasons. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN (1995) Law went to the Patriots with the No. 23 pick in 1995, leaving school a year early. He started seven games as a rookie and moved into the starting lineup permanently a year later, notching three interceptions in each of his first three seasons. He enjoyed a break- out season in 1998 with nine picks, earning his first of two All-Pro honors and five Pro Bowl invitations. Law played with the Patri- ots through 2004 before finishing his career with the New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos. He was a member of the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. 5. Dave Brown, S, Pittsburgh Steelers and lived up to his Heisman Trophy hype, earning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and Pro Bowl honors in his first season after being selected with the fourth overall pick. The seven-time All-Pro and eight-year Pro Bowler went from Oakland to Green Bay in 2006 and continued to improve with age, twice leading the NFL in interceptions past the age of 30 (2009 and 2011). He also earned NFL and NFC Defensive Player of the Year honors after intercepting nine passes in 2009. Woodson won the Super Bowl with the Pack- ers in 2010 and holds the team record for defensive touchdowns (nine). 3. Steve Hutchinson, OG, Seattle Se- ahawks (2001) The NFL's No. 17 overall pick after an All-American — and four-time All-Big Ten — career at Michigan, Hutchinson spent his first five years with the Seahawks and became one of the league's top offensive linemen. Hutchinson earned All-Pro honors and Pro Bowl invites for seven consecutive seasons from 2003-09, twice earning NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year accolades (2006 and 2009). He signed with Minnesota in 2006 to become the highest-paid lineman in the history of the game, sticking with the fran- chise for six seasons before being released and signed by Tennessee this year. He is a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team. 4. Ty Law, CB, New England Patriots (1975) Brown, the No. 26 overall pick in the 1975 draft, spent one year with the Super Bowl champion Steelers before the Seattle Seahawks took him in their expansion draft. Brown set the bar in Seattle in a number of categories, including career interceptions (50), interceptions returned for touchdowns (five) and interception return yardage (643). He made the Pro Bowl in 1984 and was a two-time All-Pro (1984 and 1985) with the team before finishing his career in Green Bay (1987-89). Brown was elected into the Seahawks' elite Ring of Honor in 1992.