Though many expect Michigan football to take a step back in 2024, the Wolverines aren’t perhaps as devoid of talent as many like to surmise.
Coming off of a national championship, despite breaking the team record with 13 draft picks in 2024, there was only one former player who went in the first round. But as the season approaches, ESPN expects that Michigan will hear three players called on Thursday evening in the 2025 NFL draft. (subscription required)
Matt Miller projected the 2025 first round, even though there’s still a whole season ahead of all college teams. Still, there’s a pretty good chance that, regardless of anything, these three players will be first-round draft picks, barring a catastrophic season.
| Pick | Team | Pos. | Player |
| 3 | Denver Broncos | CB | Will Johnson |
| 7 | Minnesota Vikings | DT | Mason Graham |
| 14 | Indianapolis Colts | TE | Colston Loveland |
The Broncos aren’t a team that often selects Wolverines and the last two players who have appeared in Denver were Graham Glasgow (via free agency) and friend of the site, Jake Butt, who was a fifth-round pick.
If the Vikings pick Graham, he would be the second-consecutive former player to come to Minneapolis via the first-round of the draft, with J.J. McCarthy being the first-round selection in 2024.
The Colts have picked one Wolverines, with Kwity Paye being a first-round pick and Cam McGrone having come home to Indianapolis via free agency.
There are three notable omissions, of course. DT Kenneth Grant seems like another obvious first-round selection but it appears analysts are waiting to see how he performs in his junior year. RB Donovan Edwards, after a disappointing 2023, is poised for a big rebound year, and given his skill set as a pass catcher, very well could find himself picked early in the draft. Though an off-the-beaten-path pick, some inside Michigan circles believe that LB Jaishawn Barham, the transfer from Maryland, possesses the traits that could also allow him to be picked on day one of the draft.