The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 19 MICHIGAN FOOTBALL It was a down year for Michi- gan football both in the stand- ings and the number of NFL Draft picks (two) last season, but the feeling is both of those will change this year. Entering the 2018 season, Michigan has nine players that will be in the mix to be selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Josh Liskiewitz believes up to seven of those players could be taken in the draft's first two rounds, which would break the current record of five that was set in 2001. The top prospect for the Wol- verines this year is junior de- fensive end Rashan Gary, who Liskiewitz said is a near lock to be a top-five pick. NFL teams could choose to bulk Gary up and play him at defensive tackle or keep him on the edge to rush the passer. His size, speed and athleti- cism remind Liskiewitz of Ter- rell Suggs and Jadeveon Clowney, who were drafted No. 10 and No. 1 overall, respectively, in 2003 and 2014. Suggs is a seven-time Pro Bowler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, while Clowney has made the last two Pro Bowls. "The only thing that would keep him out of the top five would be a bad year, or an injury that really limits him," Liskiewitz said. "He'd have to have a pretty poor year production- wise. "I think he's going to be able to elevate his game." The only other way Gary slides out of the top five would be if several quarterbacks rise up and are taken early — something that has happened in recent years, but isn't viewed as likely in 2019. On the other side of Michigan's defensive front is fifth-year senior Chase Winovich, who chose to return to U-M after considering the NFL this year. He has a chance to boost his draft stock and wind up a late first-round or second-round pick. "Chase Winovich, I think, is going to con- tinue to grow and grow in terms of being a draft prospect," Liskiewitz said. "He's going to produce huge, huge numbers again. I have this sneaky feeling that he's actually going to test out pretty well and, when it's all said and done, the name people compare him to will be Chris Long. "Not to say he'll go No. 2 overall like Long did [in 2008], but when you have that kind of production, there's going to be a lot of high praise thrown his way." At linebacker, junior Devin Bush Jr. could leave early and find himself a late first- or early second-round choice. The same can be said for junior viper Khaleke Hudson, who Liskiewitz said is more likely to have a ceiling in the second round. Size is the issue for both players, who check in 5-11, 222 pounds and 6-0, 205 pounds, respectively. They each can de- fend the pass and rush the quar- terback, a combination that is becoming increasingly valuable in the NFL. Teams have started to shift to hybrid safeties, which is exactly what Hudson is. Liskiewitz thinks each can be successful starters at the next level, they just need to go to teams that know how to use them. A wild card for Michigan this season will be junior quarter- back Shea Patterson. Liskiewitz loves what he brings to the table, and a good year could vault him into the first round. The NFL values quarterback play so much that Patterson could even land in the top 10. "There were multiple quar- terbacks that went in the first round this year that I definitely would not take anywhere near where I would be willing to take Shea Patterson right now, even though right now his current body of work isn't worth a first-rounder," Liskiewitz said. The other two players Liskiewitz sees as potential first- or second-round picks are in the secondary. Junior cornerbacks Lavert Hill and David Long both have the ability needed to play in the NFL, but lack the size. Hill is listed at 5-11, 177 pounds, while Long is listed at 5-11, 187 pounds. "Hill's size is easily the biggest concern," Liskiewitz said. "You look at what he's going to do on the field, I think he's going to test well also — and all that is going to scream first-round pick." He added that Long needs to bulk up, but has more length, which should be helpful come testing time. Senior running back Karan Higdon is his final projected draft pick, saying a sixth- or seventh-round selection makes the most sense. Running backs simply lack value unless they are a special talent. In order to rise up, Higdon will need to show he can play special teams and be effective on third down — which means being able to pass block and catch passes. Senior safety Tyree Kinnel, the ninth and final NFL Draft hopeful, needs to substantially improve his pass coverage in 2018 if he wants to be drafted, Liskiewitz noted. — Andrew Vailliencourt Junior defensive end Rashan Gary is one of two Michigan players — along with junior quarterback Shea Patterson — who some prognosticators pre- dicted this summer as a possible No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN Highest Projection For Possible 2019 U-M Draftees Highest Overall PFF Round Name Pick Projection (outlet) Projection DL Rashan Gary 1 (DraftBlaster.com) 1st QB Shea Patterson 1 (WalterFootball.com) 1st LB Devin Bush Jr. 14 (NFLDraftScout.com) 1st-2nd DE Chase Winovich 27 (NFLDraftScout.com) 1st-2nd LB/S Khaleke Hudson — 1st-2nd CB Lavert Hill — 1st-2nd CB David Long — 1st-2nd RB Karan Higdon — 6th-7th S Tyree Kinnel — 7th-Undrafted Michigan Expected To Have Monster 2019 NFL Draft Class