Tag: Michigan

B/R says Saints should reunite college teammates with two high-ceiling trades

B/R sees Mazi Smith and David Ojabo as top trade targets for the Saints. These would be low risk trades that require minimal compensation

The New Orleans Saints aren’t in the best position to grab a lot of talent in free agency or through trade this offseason due to being cash strapped. Bleacher Report’s scouting department does have a couple of players New Orleans could trade for.

The department broke down the three top trade targets for each team. For the Saints, they chose draft picks, David Ojabo and Mazi Smith. Trading for one of the two former Michigan Wolverines are the type of moves that New Orleans may have to settle for. Bleacher Report’s scouts see these defensive linemen as players with “a high ceiling and could wind up helping a team like the Saints.”

A speed rusher and a run stuffer. That’s what the Saints need and these players are prototypes for it. Even if it doesn’t work, they give you much needed depth. Ojabo is on the last year of his deal and Smith has two years remaining. These are short term moves that could become long-term with productivity.

Neither one of these moves would prevent the Saints from making more impact moves along the defensive line in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. These could even be draft-day trades. Because they haven’t lived up to expectations, Ojabo and Smith may only demand a Day 3 pick. It wouldn’t require much and at the worst, would fill out the roster.

Smith has played all 34 games he’s been eligible for with the Dallas Cowboys, but he’s been miscast after being asked to drop a lot of weight his rookie year and then told to pack it back on the following summer. His career has been an up-and-down roller coaster because of it. As for Ojabo? Injuries have limited him to just 18 games in three years, but he’s bagged four sacks and a couple of forced fumbles. Snaps are hard to come by in Baltimore’s defense. Depending on how the Saints fill out their new coaching staff, he could have better opportunities in New Orleans.

The Saints need to get younger. Ojabo will be 25 in May and Smith turns 24 a month later. They were both better prospects coming out of college than anyone who will be available when the Saints are picking in the later rounds of this year’s NFL draft. These are exactly the kind of low-risk, high-reward moves the team should be exploring. We’ll see if either of them are actually on the trade block this spring.

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Chargers bolster offense in Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft

The Chargers get their starting tight end in Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft.

One of the Chargers’ priorities this offseason is to add the necessary pieces to put Justin Herbert in a better position to succeed next season.

In NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah’s first mock draft, Los Angeles does that with the addition of Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 22 overall selection.

The Chargers need to give Justin Herbert more firepower. The coaching staff will be extremely familiar with what Loveland brings to the table.

This will continue to be a popular pairing throughout the pre-draft process. But one that makes too much sense.

Los Angeles hasn’t had a reliable pass-catching tight end since Huner Henry, and Loveland is familiar with head coach Jim Harbaugh from their time together at Michigan.

A run-heavy offense and poor quarterback limited Loveland this past season. Still, he has proven himself a reliable receiver, possessing the route-running chops, ball skills and contested catch ability.

No. 21 MSU women’s basketball blows out No. 24 Michigan in Ann Arbor

MSU women’s basketball blows out Michigan in Ann Arbor

On Saturday, MSU women’s basketball went into the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor and pulled out, I would say, their best win of the year, blowing out Michigan by thirty points, 88 to 58.

Michigan isn’t exactly a pushover, so to beat them like this on the road speaks volumes for this MSU team.

Theryn Hallock exploded in this game for 25 points, while Julia Ayrault also dropped 18 and racked up a very impressive 13 rebounds. Grace VanSlooten also added 18 points.

This was the fifth straight win for the Spartans who are now 17-3 on the season. They play Oregon next on Jan. 30.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.

2025 NFL draft: PFF identifies ‘perfect’ prospect for Chargers

Pro Football Focus recently identified the perfect 2025 NFL draft prospect for every team in the league.

Pro Football Focus recently identified the perfect 2025 NFL draft prospect for every team in the league.

For Los Angeles, it is Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.

Considering Jim Harbaugh’s affinity for tight ends, it was a major surprise to many that Seattle was quicker on the trigger in last year’s draft for former Michigan TE AJ Barner (30 catches for 245 yards and four TDs in 2024). Luckily for the Chargers’ head coach, he can set his sights on another Michigan man in this draft, one with the athletic profile that warrants a first-round selection.

Despite a 2024 campaign limited by spotty QB play and multiple injuries, Loveland still managed a 90.2 receiving grade. Over the past two seasons for the Maize and Blue, he amassed 103 catches for 649 yards, nine scores and 62 first downs.

L.A. hasn’t had a good pass-catching tight end since Hunter Henry a few years back. When Henry was with the Chargers, he and Justin Herbert had a strong chemistry, so adding a receiving TE is imperative.

Loveland could step in from Day 1 and fulfill that need.

A run-heavy offense and instability at quarterback limited Loveland this past season. Still, he has proven himself a reliable receiver, possessing the route-running chops, ball skills, contested catch ability, and body control.

Loveland was a key piece of the Wolverines’ offense in 2023, the year that Jim Harbaugh guided them to a national title. He posted 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns.

3-round Chargers 2025 mock draft: End-of-year edition

The Los Angeles Chargers take two of Jim Harbaugh’s former players.

The Chargers’ 2024 season is over, so the focus shifts to the offseason. Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz will look to revamp their roster with the pieces to get deeper into the playoffs.

L.A. will hold the No. 22 overall selection in the first round.

With that in mind, here’s our first mock draft of the 2025 off-season.

Round 1, No. 22

Colston Loveland | TE | Michigan

The Chargers need to add a tight end who can make an impact in the passing game, something they haven’t had since Hunter Henry. Los Angeles fulfills that with Loveland, who reunites with Jim Harbaugh. With his skills as a pass-catcher, Loveland would quickly become one of Justin Herbert’s go-to targets. He possesses the athleticism and route-running chops to separate from coverage, the speed to threaten the seam vertically, and a great catch radius to go up and reel anything thrown in. He is also a willing blocker in the run game, which Greg Roman would appreciate.

Round 2, No. 55

Tate Ratledge | IOL | Georgia

I would not be surprised if the Chargers spend big money on the interior part of the offensive line in free agency. But since it’s still so early in the offseason, we will draw out a scenario where they don’t. Trey Pipkins struggled and dealt with injuries late in the season. When he was on the field, Pipkins struggled in pass protection. While giving Herbert the playmakers he needs is imperative, so is keeping him upright. Ratledge is a plug-and-play right guard who plays with the desired play strength, football IQ and physicality. He is also battle-tested against SEC-level competition.

Round 3, No. 86

Josaiah Stewart | EDGE | Michigan

The Chargers might address this position earlier in the draft if Joey Bosa is a cap casualty and Khalil Mack is not back with the team, whether that’s him retiring or signing with another team. Regardless, the edge defender room needs more juice to complement Tuli Tuipulotu. Stewart’s first season with the Wolverines was the year Harbaugh led them to a national championship. This past season, he led Michigan in sacks with 8.5. Stewart is an explosive pass rusher with a quick first step and an arsenal of counters that will translate to the next level from Day 1.

Wisconsin transfer portal target commits to a Big Ten rival

Wisconsin transfer portal target commits to a Big Ten rival

Michigan transfer defensive lineman Owen Wafle committed to Penn State on Saturday.

The former four-star recruit reportedly visited Wisconsin last week, following trips to Oklahoma, Penn State and Rutgers. He committed to the Nittany Lions with four years of eligibility remaining.

Related: Tracking Wisconsin football’s transfer portal offers, visits and commitments

Wafle entered the transfer portal in early January after one year with the Wolverines. He joined the program as 247Sports’ No. 445 player in the class of 2024, No. 50 defensive lineman and No. 9 recruit from the state of New Jersey.

The recruiting service lists him as a three-star transfer recruit, who is ranked 785th in the portal and 75th among edge rushers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DEtHQ0wxNqG/

Wisconsin continues working to bolster its defensive line even with a multitude of transfers at the position committed. It was reportedly in the running for Ohio standout edge rusher Bradley Weaver before he chose Rutgers. The program also recently hosted top-ranked transfer pass rusher Mi’Quise Grace (South Dakota) on a visit.

The Badgers are set to enter 2025 with returning veterans Darryl Peterson and Aaron Witt leading the pass-rushing unit. Transfers Mason Reiger (Louisville) and Tyreese Fearbry (Kentucky) figure to play prominent roles, as do rising junior Sebastian Cheeks and redshirt freshman Thomas Heiberger.

Wisconsin struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks in 2024, averaging 1.3 sacks per game (No. 120 in the nation). Luke Fickell highlighted pass-rushing as a significant area of need this offseason, given the team’s transfer pursuits.

While Wafle chose the Nittany Lions, the Badgers still have options to add at the position.

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USC men’s basketball experiences its first Big Ten road atmosphere

USC absorbed a road atmosphere in an unexpected Big Ten location.

On Saturday evening against Michigan, USC men’s basketball experienced a Big Ten road atmosphere for the first time.

The Michigan fans were loud throughout the game. They cheered after their team’s baskets, and made noise when the Trojans were at the free throw line. Chants of “Let’s go Blue!” and “It’s great to be a Michigan Wolverine!” rang throughout the arena.

There was just one problem: The game was played at Galen Center in Los Angeles, more than 2,000 miles from USC’s campus.

The good news is that the fans came out in full force on Saturday. The announced attendance for USC-Michigan was 7,075, by far the highest for a Trojans home game this season.

The bad news for the Trojans is that at least half—if not more—of those were Michigan fans. In their first Big Ten home game against a non-former Pac-12 opponent, USC fans were outnumbered by the opposition in their own building.

Obviously, there are several things that should be noted. Michigan has a huge alumni network in Los Angeles. The game also took place during the middle of USC’s winter break, meaning that many students were not yet back on campus.

But still, to see the Trojans playing what felt like an away game in their own building was alarming. Hopefully it will serve as a wake up call to USC fans that this isn’t the Pac-12 anymore, and that they need to show out for each and every game.

2025 mock draft: 49ers land major 1st-round steal

This seems unlikely, but the 49ers would take it…

There are a handful of scenarios where the San Francisco 49ers could come away from Day 1 of the 2025 NFL draft with a game-changing player.

One of those plays out in a 2025 mock draft from For the Win where the 49ers land perhaps the steal of the draft without needing to make a trade up.

FTW’s Christian D’Andrea has standout Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham careening all the way down to the 49ers at the No. 11 overall pick.

Graham was a two-time First-Team All-Big 10 selection for the Wolverines after putting up 62 pressures and nine sacks over the last two seasons. He’s a big-time athlete who would have to change positions with San Francisco, but D’Andrea doesn’t foresee an issue for Graham making that switch.

Via FTW:

One of the tenets of Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers teams is a commitment to a deep and athletic defensive line. Graham isn’t a perfect fit moving from Michigan’s 3-4 to San Francisco’s 4-3, but he’s talented enough to make this a moot point.

The Wolverines star would get to thrive next to a healthy Javon Hargrave to give the Niners a pair of inside-out gap-shooters who can flush quarterbacks out to Nick Bosa and Leonard Floyd’s orbits. At 320 pounds, he’s big enough to be immobile against the run. He’s also quick and explosive enough to blast through gaps as a 3-technique lineman between the guard and tackle.

There’s still plenty of time in the NFL draft process for player rankings to move around, but Graham is ESPN’s No. 3 overall player as the NFL enters the final week of the 2024 regular season.

He went No. 3 overall in a mock draft from the Draft Wire. He went No. 5 overall in a mock draft from Athlon Sports where the 49ers take Graham’s teammate, Kenneth Grant.

Graham is a certified game-wrecker who would instantly make the 49ers’ defensive line better on all three downs. If he falls to 11th overall, either something went terribly wrong for him in the pre-draft process, or the 49ers are walking away with the biggest steal of the 2025 draft.

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49ers get versatile Michigan DL in 1st round of 2025 NFL mock draft

D-line help could be on the way in this year’s draft for the 49ers.

Any list of needs for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2025 NFL draft will have defensive line at or near the top.

They could use help on the offensive line as well, but given the organization’s philosophy and history in the NFL draft with head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch running the show, it’s safe to assume they’d prioritize the defensive front.

That’s exactly what they do in a first-round mock draft from Athlon’s Luke Easterling where Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant falls to them at No. 11 overall.

While there may be some trepidation from the 49ers after the Javon Kinlaw selection in the 2020 draft went sideways, Grant appears to have all the tools to be a disruptive player who can be on the field for all three downs. He can flat out move at 6-3, 339 pounds, and earned his way onto Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’ at the Athletic.

Grant should be able to step in and offer an improvement for the 49ers on Day 1.

Via Easterling:

I wouldn’t count out an offensive tackle here, but if the board falls this way, the 49ers could opt for trench help on the other side of the ball. Landing a massive mauler like Grant would be a huge win for a San Francisco defense that desperately needs that kind of disruptive presence on the inside against both the run and pass.

Finding a run-stopping defensive tackle is a must this offseason for San Francisco, but there’s not enough value in a run stuffer to justify taking one with the 11th pick. Any DT that goes this high will have to rush the passer as well, and Grant did that effectively during his time with the Wolverines.

Grant over the last two seasons posted 49 pressures and eight sacks according to Pro Football Focus. He also had 10 pass breakups in that span.

If the 49ers believe Grant can be an effective run stopper who can also push the pocket as a pass rusher, it’s hard to imagine they’d pass on him at No. 11 overall.

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Colin Cowherd suggests Seahawks trade for this young QB

Colin Cowherd suggests Seahawks trade for this young QB

The Seattle Seahawks are about to enter another offseason with questions about what they should do at quarterback. Geno Smith, who has guided the Seahawks to three-straight winning seasons, is under contract for one more year but will count for $38 million against the cap in 2025. This will be the highest cap hit on the roster next season. The Seahawks can alleviate the impact of Smith’s salary by giving him a modest extension.

Or, they could simply decide to move on from him. Should Seattle trade or release Smith, they can save $25 million in cap space with only a $13 million dead cap hit. If the Seahawks do decide to go this route, who will take the reigns at quarterback?

Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd suggests Seattle should make a deal with the Minnesota Vikings to acquire former first round quarterback JJ McCarthy. Selected No. 10 overall by the Vikings in the 2024 NFL draft, McCarthy’s career in Minnesota appears to be already in question. McCarthy tore his meniscus during the preseason and went on injured reserve. In his place, veteran journeyman Sam Darnold has gone on to have a career year and has the Vikings on the verge of clinching the No. 1 seed.

All signs seem to indicate Minnesota is going to keep Darnold for 2025, which leaves McCarthy somewhat in limbo when it comes to the Vikings’ plans. Cowherd does make an interesting argument in favor of Seattle acquiring McCarthy.

The financial aspect is by far the most compelling point Cowherd brought up. As it stands, the Seahawks are trending to be slightly over the cap in 2025. They will need to find a way to get back under, as well as free up resources to pay both their own players and find a way to upgrade elsewhere (such as the offensive line, which general manager John Schneider should rethink his “guards are overpaid” philosophy).

If Seattle does decide to make a move for McCarthy, it will give them the single greatest advantage in the world of salary caps: a quarterback on his rookie contract. It was the Seahawks who showed the successful model of taking advantage of a quarterback getting paid comparatively little, while investing elsewhere to create a super roster in order to compete for a championship. Seattle has a talented roster, especially on defense which has been corrected thanks to head coach Mike Macdonald.

There is pause for concern with McCarthy, who has already suffered a serious knee injury before even taking one regular season snap. Durability has to be a concern, and might even lower the asking price from Minnesota. Still, he was a first round quarterback for a reason, and with this upcoming class being nowhere near as deep at the game’s most important position, Schneider should make a phone call or two with the Vikings to see if a deal could in fact be made.

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