One of the best authorities in the field is giving Michigan’s prospects some recognition ahead of the NFL Combine.
One of the major turning moments in the draft process is approaching as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches. Draft aspirants will swarm Indianapolis this week to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine, a week-long event that involves player workouts, interviews, and media availability.
After this, teams will start to finalize their draft boards because a player’s performance at the combine can greatly influence a team’s perception of them.
Michigan created history earlier this offseason when they invited 18 players, the most for any school in a single year. It should come as no surprise that several Wolverines players are included in Daniel Jeremiah’s most recent list of the top 50 draft prospects before to the combine.
See who Jeremiah, a well-known figure in the draft industry, thinks are the best Michiganders and what he has to say about them.
No. 27 – Quarterback J.J. McCarthy
This year, J.J. McCarthy has been a rather divisive candidate in the draft process. He is a desirable prospect on the one hand because of his abundance of tools and arm skill. In addition to being a demonstrated winner, he has demonstrated the ability to make any throw and create plays with his legs. However, because Michigan didn’t require him to do much in terms of throwing the football, he has been minimized.
McCarthy is ranked as Jeremiah’s fifth-best quarterback. “He has the combination of velocity and accuracy to fit balls into tight windows, but he is also very comfortable taking checkdowns and piling up completions,” the analyst notes in his study. McCarthy’s sprinting ability and passing efficiency are also praised by him.
If he has any criticism, it is that McCarthy has trouble throwing the ball far down the sidelines since he frequently throws these passes out of bounds.
All things considered, McCarthy has continued to establish himself as a highly promising draft prospect. He appears to be settling around the 8–13 overall bracket in most mock drafts, where a number of clubs in need of a quarterback are positioned.
No. 43 – Linebacker Junior Colson
Junior Colson seems to be among the finest linebackers available in what seems to be a mediocre class. Colson is ranked by Jeremiah as the second-best linebacker, only inferior to Texas A&M’s Edgerrin Cooper.
Jeremiah notes in his study that Colson has strong passing instincts and the capacity to identify routes. He does, however, also commend his skill in the run game, stating, “He is most effective versus the run. He fills and keys quickly. He thuds off, assaults lead blockers, and makes tackles. He tackles from the chest up and is very physical.
Colson seemed to be acclimating to the second or third round at the moment. However, given his impressive athleticism, don’t be shocked if he solidifies his spot in round two with a strong combine performance.
No. 50 – Wide Receiver Roman Wilson
Roman Wilson barely cracks the top 50 prospects list here, having missed out on Jeremiah’s first list. Wilson’s standing rose in a very talented receiving class following a strong performance at the Senior Bowl a few weeks ago. In 2023, with 48 receptions for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns, he was Michigan’s top receiver.
Jeremiah points out that Wilson is a highly desirable draft prospect. He makes the point that Wilson can create a lot of space when running routes because of his speed, particularly when he is facing a safety. Wilson’s dependable hands and sprinting skills are also praised by Jeremiah.
He performs best while he is moving, particularly on routes with significant elevation gain. Jeremiah stated, “He attacks the cornerback’s leverage before exploding across the field and running away from his opponent.”
Wilson appears to be guaranteed a first-round selection on the second draft day following the Senior Bowl. If he makes an impression at the combine, he might be guaranteed a spot in the second round or perhaps higher.
