The Wolverine

September 2017

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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80 THE WOLVERINE SEPTEMBER 2017 BY CHRIS BALAS S ports Illustrated's Monday Morn- ing Quarterback (MMQB) col- umnists recently ranked the top 400 players in the NFL, and six former Michigan players made the cut, in- cluding the man at No. 1. Five-time Super Bowl champion and New Eng- land Patriots standout Tom Brady heads the list, which shouldn't sur- prise anyone. "After the Super Bowl 51 come- back everyone seems to be in agree- ment: He's the greatest of all time," MMQB wrote of Brady, a sixth-round pick in the 2000 NFL Draft. Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham was the only other former Wolverine in the top 100, checking in at No. 98. Graham, the 2009 Big Ten MVP and a first-team All-American, was the Eagles' 13th overall pick in 2010. Seahawks defensive end Frank Clark checked in at No. 151. "Clark possesses cat-like quick- ness off the snap, regardless if he's playing inside or outside, or if he's shooting a gap or executing a stunt," MMQB noted. "Keep him in the back of your mind — he very well could be a top-10 defensive lineman by this time next year." Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan came in at No. 251. He was the 11th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft after being named the Big Ten Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year in both 2012 and 2013. "Lewan is a nasty, mauling type who is dexterous enough in pass pro- tection to spar one on one," MMQB exclaimed. Defensive tackle Alan Branch ap- peared at No. 272. He's been out- standing with New England after spending time with the Cardinals, Bills and Seahawks before signing with the Patriots in 2014. "In New England's scheme, his type of dominance leads to more tackles for the linebackers and edge defenders, which is why it often goes unnoticed," MMQB noted. Finally, Patriots linebacker David Harris checked in at No. 383. The   MICHIGAN IN THE PROS Six Wolverines Ranked Among NFL's Top 400 Players NFL WOLVERINES IN TRAINING CAMP A look at the former Wolverines currently in NFL training camps and where they stand with their teams: Entrenched As Starter QB Tom Brady, New England Patriots; DT Alan Branch, New England Patriots; DE Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles; LB David Harris, New England Patriots; and OT Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans. Fighting For Starting Spot DE Taco Charlton, Dallas Cowboys; DE Frank Clark, Seattle Seahawks; WR Devin Funchess, Carolina Panthers; OL Graham Glasgow, Detroit Lions; Jourdan Lewis, Dallas Cowboys; OL Patrick Omameh, Jacksonville Jaguars; S Jabrill Peppers, Cleveland Browns; RB Thomas Rawls*, Seattle Seahawks; LB Jake Ryan, Green Bay Packers; P Matt Wile, Arizona Cardinals; and DE Chris Wormley, Baltimore Ravens. Providing Depth TE Jake Butt, Denver Broncos; WR Jehu Chesson, Kansas City Chiefs; CB Blake Countess*, Los Angeles Rams; WR Amara Darboh, Seattle Seahawks; LB Ben Gedeon, Minnesota Vikings; DT Ryan Glasgow, Cincinnati Bengals; QB Chad Henne, Jacksonville Jaguars; S Delano Hill, Seattle Seahawks; QB Ryan Mallett*, Baltimore Ravens; RB Denard Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars; QB Jake Rudock, Detroit Lions; and RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, Pittsburgh Steelers. Fighting To Make The Roster P Kenny Allen, Baltimore Ravens; DT Richard Ash*, Dallas Cowboys; LB Bren- nen Beyer, Baltimore Ravens; OL Ben Braden, New York Jets; DE Matthew Godin, Houston Texans; DT Willie Henry, Baltimore Ravens; OL Kyle Kalis, Washington Redskins; FB Joe Kerridge, Green Bay Packers; OL Erik Magnuson, San Francisco 49ers; RB De'Veon Smith, Miami Dolphins; CB Channing Stribling, Cleveland Browns; S Dymonte Thomas, Denver Broncos; and S Jarrod Wilson, Jacksonville Jaguars. * Finished college career at school other than Michigan Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham was one of the six U-M alums ranked among the top 400 players in the NFL by Sports Illustrated's Monday Morning Quarterback, coming in at No. 98. PHOTO COURTESY PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

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