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In 2020, Michigan tied for second-best, having sent ten players to the NFL via the draft, including one first-rounder in early-entrant, center Cesar Ruiz. Could the Wolverines repeat that type of success in putting players into the professional ranks in 2021?
According to CBS Sports, it could have a similar start.
In putting together his too-early 2021 mock draft, Tom Fornelli remained aligned with ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. in thinking that junior right tackle Jalen Mayfield is a first-round talent. While Kiper had Mayfield as his third-best offensive lineman, Fornelli was a little less bullish, having Mayfield as his seventh-best, but still making it clear into the first-round, going to a team that’s made it known it loves Wolverines.
No. 25: Jalen Mayfield – Pittsburgh Steelers
Mayfield showed some upside on the right side for Michigan last year, and he seems likely to be headed for the first round in 2021 with a quality follow-up performance.
Should that happen, Mayfield could join a roster that currently has Devin Bush Jr., Zach Gentry, Tyree Kinnel, Chris Wormley and Amara Darboh on its roster. Plus, as yet another first-round offensive lineman, it would be a feather in Ed Warinner’s cap, as he’s turned around a unit that struggled mightily for years, save for a position here or there.
Likewise, we have Mayfield atop our talent board that could find itself selected in the upcoming draft next year, though we’re not counting out much of the skill position talent that could make waves this upcoming season.
Regardless, while it would be disappointing to lose such a high-caliber player after only his second year of play, given the trajectory, it could help position Michigan as a destination for players looking to get to the next level, should it continue to put players in the league at such a high rate.
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