The NFL Combine is behind us, and experts are starting to reset expectations for next month’s NFL Draft. Could Mason Graham fall out of the top-10? Some outlets in this week’s Mock Draft Roundup are beginning to think so:
Several Michigan Wolverines anticipate being selected early in the NFL Draft next month, however, none of the top candidates participated in the NFL Combine this past weekend in Indianapolis. They contributed to a trend across the college and professional landscape of devaluing the events that take place on the largest stage.
Instead, most of these Wolverines plan on showcasing their talents at Michigan’s Pro Day coming up on March 21st. For now, though, several have seemingly hurt their draft stock by their decision, with some experts predicting that no Michigan players will be selected in the Top-10. Previously, both Mason Graham and Will Johnson were candidates.
Recency bias? Maybe. But for now let’s get an update on where some of the top industry analysts predict the Wolverines to be selected:
- No. 11 overall – San Francisco 49ers – DT Mason Graham
“Graham doesn’t offer the eye-popping traits that some prospects possess, but he’s very safe and fits what the 49ers are looking for.”
- No. 20 overall – Denver Broncos – TE Colston Loveland
“Building around Bo Nix is likely to continue to be a priority. An athletic pass catcher with good size could be high on the Broncos’ wish list.”
- No. 21 overall – Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Will Johnson
“The slide ends for Johnson. If he runs a strong 40-yard dash at Michigan’s pro day, that will boost his stock. For now, he ends up taking his impressive ball talent to Pittsburgh.”
- No. 22 overall – Los Angeles Chargers – DL Kenneth Grant
“Jim Harbaugh’s quite familiar with this jumbo DT out of Michigan, and the Chargers need help up the middle. It’s a perfect match.”
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema
- No. 11 overall – San Francisco 49ers – DT Mason Graham
“Graham’s measurables in Indianapolis did not help his case to be a top-10 pick. He was 24 pounds lighter (296 pounds) than what Michigan listed him at, and his 32-inch arms place him in the 12th percentile for the position.
Graham earned elite PFF overall grades over the past two seasons, but the league doesn’t love drafting prospects with measurable limitations early. That would be to the 49ers’ delight, as they could get a starting-caliber 3-technique defensive tackle outside the top 10.”
- No. 16 overall – Arizona Cardinals – CB Will Johnson
“Johnson’s draft range is anywhere from the fringe top 10 to the end of the top 20. He might not have the recovery speed to dominate in man coverage, but he has great instincts and downhill stop-and-start agility to be an impact off-zone defender. The Cardinals have plenty of trench needs but could stand to grab a potential CB1 and dive into a deep defensive line class later in the draft.”
- No. 20 overall – Denver Broncos – TE Colston Loveland
“Broncos head coach Sean Payton discussed adding a “joker” offensive position this offseason — essentially, someone who can be a middle-of-the-field weapon as a tight end, wide receiver or running back. Loveland fits the bill, much like Brock Bowers did in last year’s class.”
- No. 30 overall – Buffalo Bills – DL Kenneth Grant
“The Bills need to get bigger and stronger on the interior. That’s exactly where Kenneth Grant fits in. He brings a 6-foot-4, 331-pound frame with 33 1/2-inch arms. But he also moves very well. He is stout in run defense first but then provides extra finesse as a pass-rusher.”
CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson
- No. 5 overall – Jacksonville Jaguars – DL Mason Graham
“Mason Graham may not necessarily be a “get off the bus” specimen, and yes, his arms are considered short by NFL defensive tackle standards, but let’s try not to fall for the same, tired trick we fall for every year. Forget the measurables and look at the tape. Braden Fiske was a second-round pick, in part because he had “short arms.” Do a re-draft today and he’s a first-rounder every single time. Graham is one of the most disruptive players in the entire class.”
- No. 17 overall – Cincinnati Bengals – TE Colston Loveland
“Colston Loveland is listed at 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds, and while he runs like he’s 185, he plays like he’s 265. He’ll run through open-field arm tackles all day long, has an enormous catch radius and is a precise route runner, looking like a receiver at times in his movement skills. He’s a willing blocker, but like most pass-catching tight ends coming into the league, he’ll need to improve in this area.”
- No. 18 overall – Seattle Seahawks – DL Kenneth Grant
“Don’t be fooled by the fact that Kenneth Grant weighs 331 pounds. He’s a freakish athlete for any size and has a knack for getting his hands up in passing lane and knocking the ball down. He has a surprisingly quick first step and uses his hands well to shoot gaps and be a disruptive presence in the backfield. For me, he’s more explosive and consistent than Kris Jenkins, his former teammate and Bengals second-rounder in 2024.”
- No. 26 overall – Los Angeles Rams – CB Will Johnson
“Will Johnson was my No. 1 player over the summer and remains a top-10 talent. He battled a toe injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the 2024 season, but when he’s healthy, he’s one of the best defenders in college football; there’s a reason the easy comp for him is Patrick Surtain II. He didn’t run at the combine, and his 40 time could ultimately decide how high he ends up going.”
SBNation’s Joseph Acosta
- No. 8 overall – Carolina Panthers – DL Mason Graham
“Graham’s mini slide stops in Carolina, where they need all the beef up front they can possibly get. Graham might have some smaller arms, but the former wrestler wins with leverage and quickness, something that I think pairs well with DT Derrick Brown on the inside. The Panthers have put a high priority on the spine of their team on both sides of the ball, and continue to fortify it here.”
- No. 13 overall – Miami Dolphins – CB Will Johnson
“Johnson’s slide ends in Miami, where their defense could use some youthful infusion on the outside. Johnson is also the victim of some prospect fatigue, but his instincts and big play ability mesh well with DC Anthony Weaver, and give him the ability to move CB Jalen Ramsey around much more.”
- No. 16 overall – Arizona Cardinals – DT Kenneth Grant
“Arizona needs some beef in the middle of their defense, and Grant offers the highest ceiling as a pass rusher from the spot while also being very strong against the run. His pad level needs to be ironed out, but he fixes an immediate need up front for the Cardinals.”
- No. 20 overall – Denver Broncos – TE Colston Loveland
“Write it in stone at this point. The Broncos will be drafting a tight end at 20, and it’ll probably be Loveland.”