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We’re not sure about this one.
We’re big fans of analytics site Walter Football, but as the site put together its latest three-round NFL mock draft in the past 24 hours, it seems like there’s some glaring omissions.
While it’s tough to project any Michigan players in the first-round as of current — though Reese’s Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy thinks one former Wolverine should go that high — prognosticators are all across the board when it comes to what players will go, not to mention when.
We’ve seen mock drafts with center Cesar Ruiz going as high as the first or second round. Josh Uche seems destined to go anywhere between the first and third. Donovan Peoples-Jones between the second and fourth.
So, basically, until the NFL Scouting Combine, it’s anybody’s guess.
That’s what it feels like here, with no former Wolverines picked in the first or second rounds. But Walter Football has two Wolverines going in the third, including Khaleke Hudson’s highest projection to date.
83. Denver Broncos: Khaleke Hudson, S, Michigan
The Broncos could use some depth and competition at safety next to Justin Simmons.
Hudson totaled 102 tackles, three passes defended and two sacks in 2019. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is a solid run defender who could stand to improve his pass coverage for the NFL. In 2018, Hudson had 45 tackles with two sacks and one pass broken up. His best season came as a sophomore with 83 tackles with 18.5 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, nine passes broken up and two interceptions on the year.
And of course, Uche was the other selection.
87. New England Patriots: Josh Uche, 3-4OLB/OLB, Michigan
The Patriots brought back Jamie Collins, but they could use more edge-rushing linebackers.
Uche had 35 tackles with 8.5 sacks, two passes batted and two forced fumbles in 2019. The 6-foot-1, 241-pounder was a fast and dangerous edge rusher over the past two seasons, but he is very undersized for the NFL. As a pro, he would fit best as a designated pass-rusher and playing in a 3-4 scheme would probably be the best scheme for him. Uche had only 15 tackles during the 2018 season, but seven of those were sacks as he was a dangerous pass-rusher for the Wolverines.
However, as the site also has outgoing Michigan WR Tarik Black — who is in the NCAA transfer portal, but hasn’t formally selected a destination — going in the fourth-round, perhaps Walter Football knows something that we don’t.