The NFL season is officially over with Super Bowl 60 taking place Sunday night, which means it is officially NFL Draft season. With several Michigan Wolverines entering their names into the 2026 cycle,
your favorite pro team could be adding one of your favorites from Michigan. Let’s take a look at where 12 former Michigan players could be selected and which teams could be in play for each.
Edge Derrick Moore
No defensive player helped themselves more at the Senior Bowl than Derrick Moore. The below clip went viral and caught the attention of NFL teams, as did his competitive fire shown throughout the week of practices. Moore’s signature speed-to-power move was expected, but it was his improved run defense that really impressed those on hand in Mobile.
In a deep class of edge rushers, it will be hard for Moore to sneak into the first round. However, with a strong showing at the NFL Combine, it’s not out of the question. For now, watch for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 36, as well as his former defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, at No. 45 with the Baltimore Ravens.
Projection: Early-mid second round
Edge Jaishawn Barham
It’s hard to leave a worse taste in the mouths of evaluators than head-butting an official in the midst of taking an ass-whooping from a rival. But that obscurity is where Jaishawn Barham currently sits. On the positive side, he is an athletic outlier who could be used as a versatile piece like a poor man’s Arvell Reese. ESPN’s Field Yates views him as the seventh-best edge in the class, even higher than Moore. On the downside, Barham could be viewed as a master of none with character concerns. A strong showing on the field and in the interview room at the Combine will be critical for his draft stock.
Look for teams with strong locker rooms — New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions — to take a close look at Barham later on Day 2 or early on Day 3.
Projection: Late third round
DT Rayshaun Benny
Moore wasn’t the only Wolverine defender turning heads at the Senior Bowl. Rayshaun Benny was one of the best interior pass rushers all week, showcasing his trademark quickness and violent hands. His play was so impressive that it has puzzled evaluators as to why he was not more productive at Michigan. In five years, he only had four sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
But at 6-foot-5, teams will see room for him to fill out as a classic late-bloomer and start eyeing him as early as the backend of round three. The Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints, among others, could all consider him in the middle rounds.
Projection: Late fourth round
WR Donaven McCulley
Day 3 of the draft is all about taking swings, and at 6-foot-5 with limited reps at wide receiver and an unknown ceiling, that is where Donaven McCulley will be drafted. He was a standout in Mobile and even led the National Team with four receptions for 50 yards during the actual game. His height is something all teams covet and if he can run under 4.6 in the 40-yard dash, he could be selected even earlier.
The Ravens, who possess five picks between 100 and 200, could make a move to bolster the depth and size of their wide receiver room. General Manager Chris Ballard of the Indianapolis Colts is known as a “traits guy,” and McCulley could still be an option at No. 154. And don’t discount any team looking to surround a young quarterback with a multitude of weapons.
Projection: Mid fifth round
TE Marlin Klein
Marlin Klein is one of the most difficult players to project as a low-production, special athlete. To the latter point, Klein was named to Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List last year, in which Feldman wrote:
“The TE from Germany made the Freaks List last year (No. 90). In 2024, he started six games and caught 13 passes for 108 yards and was named Most Improved Player on offense. The 6-6, 250-pound junior, who has hit 21.75 mph, broad jumped 9-7. This offseason, Klein ran a 6.89 in the three-cone drill. His former teammate Colston Loveland did it at 6.94 last offseason, and no tight end at this year’s combine did it quicker than that. Klein’s shuttle time of 4.25 this offseason would’ve been the fastest by any tight end at the combine.”
But Klein also never reached his potential at Michigan. There were flashes — six catches for 93 yards and one touchdown against New Mexico comes to mind — but there was never enough consistency to call them anything more than that. Is he just an athlete playing football or is he an athletic football player?
Klein should test exceptionally well at the Combine, and with increased usage of 13-personnel at the next level, teams could not do a lot worse than an athletic freak and former team captain early on day three. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers all make a lot of sense.
Projection: Late fifth round
DT Damon Payne Jr.
Although not a PFF-friendly player, Damon Payne Jr. is the last Wolverine with a shot to be drafted. In only one season in Ann Arbor, when given time to settle in, he was often Michigan’s best interior defender. Payne plays a strong man’s game and is a sure tackler against the run. And what really helps his case is history — nine defensive tackles have been selected in the final round of the draft the last two years. With a strong Combine, Payne could be next.
Stopping the run will always be the first objective for any defense, so every team with a pick in the final round could consider Payne for increased depth and competition.
Projection: Mid seventh round
LB Jimmy Rolder
No Wolverine could have benefitted from another season more than Jimmy Rolder. Although Rolder is coming off his best season as a Wolverine — 73 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and one interception — the production is not gaudy enough to outweigh questions about his durability and athleticism. Rolder is a Day 3 prospect, which could be tricky for him as a true linebacker.
In the last three drafts, only four inside linebackers have been selected in the seventh round. It is not impossible for Rolder to creep into the sixth round, but with a checkered injury history and numerous trait-based questions, he is more likely not to hear his name called. However, he will have his choice of landing spots, and as we saw with a former Wolverine corner, Josh Wallace, a smart decision could jumpstart an unlikely career. Rolder could look at teams like the Washington Commanders or Tampa Bay Buccaneers to compete for a roster spot.
Projection: UDFA
FB Max Bredeson
If Max Bredeson didn’t get injured, he would have had a shot to go on Day 3. He is a culture-setter and the ultimate glue guy who is 100 percent additive to any situation. But given his injury, Breddy will have to settle for signing as a free agent, which could actually help his pro prospects. Although he doesn’t possess the athleticism of Kyle Juszczyk, he would be a fascinating piece to add to Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Projection: UDFA
G Giovanni El Hadi
Giovanni El-Hadi is a road grader in the run game — a mass of man who can displace defenders at the point of attack. But questions persist with his pass protection, athleticism and durability. Power running teams such as the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears could all be logical destinations.
Projection: UDFA
DT Tre Williams
Tre Williams is an intriguing prospect. He has a higher ceiling than Payne, but he also has a much lower floor. And with an undersized body (vertically, that is) and an inconsistent career, Williams will have to take the long way to make an NFL roster. A veteran room, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans or Seattle Seahawks, could help Williams reach his potential.
Projection: UDFA
K Dominic Zvada
Dominic Zvada was a first-team All-American in 2024 and would have been drafted had he declared then. In 2025, he had the second-worst season — minimum 25 attempts — in program history. His 2024 tape is enough proof of concept to earn him a camp invitation, but his 2025 tape will give him minimal margin for error. The Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans could both give Zvada a serious look.
Projection: UDFA
C Greg Crippen
Greg Crippen has the most uncertainty of any of Michigan’s draft-eligible prospects. A serviceable all-around player, he lacks a true elite aspect of his game or physical profile that can entice teams to take a shot on his development. But with glaring needs at both guard and center, the Los Angeles Chargers — and the coach who believed in him five years ago — could be his lifeline to an NFL opportunity.
Projection: UDFA
