Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 13, 2017
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The 2017 NFL Draft could be a blockbuster event for Michigan, which could have over 10 players selected. You have to go back to 1974 to find the last time the Wolverines had 10 picks; they also had 10 selections in 1972.
Leading the way among the 2017 Wolverine draft prospects is do-it-all Jabrill Peppers, who played myriad positions in Ann Arbor but figures to settle at strong safety in the NFL. Expect Peppers-the No. 2 strong safety in the draft according to CBSSports.com–to go in the first round.
Peppers, who came out a year early, may not be the lone Wolverine to go in the first round. Defensive tackle Taco Charlton also is projected by many to go in Round One. The last time Michigan had two first-round selections was 2005 when WR Braylon Edwards (No. 3 Browns) and Marlin Jackson (No. 29 Colts) went in Round One.
The next two Michigan players who figure to be picked are DT Chris Wormley and TE Jake Butt, as each looks like a second- or third-round selection. CB Jourdan Lewis, WR Amara Darboh and DT Ryan Glasgow look like mid-round picks. OT Erik Magnuson, G Ben Braden, FS Delano Hill, LB Ben Gedeon and CB Channing Stribling are projected by most to be late-rounders. CB Jeremy Clark, P Kenny Allen and RB De?Veon Smith could be seventh-rounders along with SS Dymonte Thomas, WR Jehu Chesson, DT Matthew Godin and G Kyle Kalis.
Bottom line: This could be an amazing draft haul for Michigan.
MICHIGAN DRAFT: 2007-16
Highest pick: OT Jake Long, 1st overall 2008/Dolphins
Most fertile draft: 2007 and 2008, six picks each draft
Total first-round selections: 4
Total picks: 33
Position breakdown:
? Offensive line: 7
? Receiver: 6
? Defensive line: 6
? Linebacker: 6
? Defensive back: 3
? Running back: 2
? Quarterback: 2
? Punter: 1
2007
First round: CB Leon Hall, Bengals
Second round: DT Alan Branch, Cardinals
Second round: LB LaMarr Woodley, Steelers
Second round: LB David Harris, Jets
Fifth round: WR Steve Breaston, Cardinals
Sixth round: LB Prescott Burgess, Ravens
2008
First round: OT Jake Long, Dolphins
Second round: QB Chad Henne, Dolphins
Third round: LB Shawn Crable, Patriots
Third round: WR Mario Manningham, Giants
Sixth round: RB Mike Hart, Colts
Seventh round: WR Adrian Arrington, Saints
2009
Fourth round: DT Terrance Taylor, Colts
Sixth round: DB Morgan Trent, Bengals
2010
First round: DE Brandon Graham, Eagles
Fifth round: P Zoltan Mesko, Patriots
Seventh round: DB Stevie Brown, Raiders
2011
Second round: LB Jonas Mouton
Sixth round: OT Stephen Schilling, Chargers
2012
Third round: DT Mike Martin, Titans
Seventh round: C David Molk, Chargers
Seventh round: WR Junior Hemingway, Chiefs
2013
Fifth round: RB Denard Robinson, Jaguars
Sixth round: G William Campbell, Jets
2014
First round: OT Taylor Lewan, Titans
Third round: OT Michael Schofield, Broncos
Seventh round: WR Jeremy Gallon, Patriots
2015
Second round: WR Devin Funchess, Panthers
Second round: DE Frank Clark, Seahawks
Fourth round: LB Jake Ryan, Packers
2016
Third round: G Graham Glasgow, Lions
Fourth round: DT Willie Henry, Ravens
Sixth round: QB Jake Rudock, Lions
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