Four Michigan football players are first-round picks in ESPN NFL mock draft, including one to Jim Harbaugh's Chargers

The NFL Draft order for the first 28 picks are locked in ahead of championship weekend, and ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has released his first mock of draft season. Four former Michigan Wolverines football players — all juniors who declared early — have made the first round, including two in the top 10.

The Wolverines who were listed in the first round are defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5 to the Jacksonville Jaguars), cornerback Will Johnson (No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints), tight end Colston Loveland (No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers) and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (No. 32 to the Philadelphia Eagles).

DT Mason Graham: No. 5 to the Jacksonville Jaguars

Graham — a 6-foot-3, 320-pounder — became Michigan’s first unanimous All-American defensive tackle since Mark Messner in 1988. The two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection collected 45 tackles, including 7 for loss and 3.5 sacks, and 3 pass breakups in 2024.

“The Jaguars are probably thinking defense here — it’s just a matter of where on defense,” Kiper wrote. “Michigan corner Will Johnson could be the answer opposite Tyson Campbell. Georgia safety Malaki Starks could replace Andre Cisco if Jacksonville doesn’t re-sign Cisco and is open to trading back.

“But defensive tackle is the biggest need, and Graham is one heck of a football player. He wins with his technique, using leverage to beat interior offensive linemen. Graham could slide between Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen and wreak havoc from the inside.”

If Graham does come off the board at No. 5, he’d be the highest-drafted Michigan defensive tackle of the common era (since 1970).

CB Will Johnson: No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints

Johnson is a 6-foot-2, 202-pounder who was a first-team All-American in 2023 and second-teamer in 2024. He played in only six games this past season, missing the end of the year with injury, but had 2 interceptions returned for touchdowns and 5 pass breakups.

“Johnson — who reads the QB incredibly well and has the quickness to finish plays with takeaways — could be the Marshon Lattimore replacement in New Orleans,” Kiper said of the Michigan standout going to the Saints. “Johnson had nine interceptions over his career at Michigan.

“The Saints seemingly always find their way out of their salary cap issues, but they are projected to be $70.6 million over the cap in 2025, per Roster Management System. They have to find Day 1 starters in the draft, and Johnson would fill a big hole. New Orleans allowed 7.3 yards per pass attempt this season, ranking 23rd in the league.”

If Johnson is taken No. 9, he’d be the highest-drafted Michigan cornerback since Charles Woodson went No. 4 to the Oakland Raiders in 1998.

TE Colston Loveland: No. 22 to the Los Angeles Chargers

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Loveland was a second-team All-Big Ten and second-team All-America selection in 2024, leading Michigan in receptions (56), receiving yards (582) and touchdown catches (5) despite missing three contests. The Mackey Award finalist is the second tight end to appear in Kiper’s mock, behind Penn State’s Tyler Warren (No. 14 to the Indianapolis Colts).

“How about a seam-stretching tight end for quarterback Justin Herbert? Loveland is a tough matchup for defenses — he’s 6-5, 245 pounds, and he has some speed,” Kiper analyzed. “He had 56 catches, 582 yards and 5 TDs this season despite middling play from Michigan’s quarterback room. He played for [Chargers head coach] Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, too, so there’s a built-in connection.

“L.A. has to also look at the receiver group. Four WRs are off the board already, which is why I opted for Loveland. It’s just too big of a reach to Utah State’s Jalen Royals, TCU’s Savion Williams or Texas’ Isaiah Bond. But if one of those guys rises over the next few months, that might be the priority.”

If Loveland does hear his name called in the opening round, he’d be the first Michigan tight end to accomplish that feat since Paul Seymour was selected No. 7 overall by the Buffalo Bills in 1973. Since 2017, Michigan has had four tight ends selected: Jake Butt (fifth round, 2017), Zach Gentry (fifth round, 2019), Luke Schoonmaker (second round, 2023) and AJ Barner (fourth round, 2024).

DT Kenneth Grant: No. 32 to the Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles have built up an elite defensive line, and Grant could add to that at No. 32 overall. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound mammoth was a second-team All-Big Ten selection this past season, and earned third-team All-America honors by the Associated Press. He posted 32 tackles, 6.5 stops for loss, 3 sacks and 5 pass breakups on the year. His 12 pass breakups are the most by a defensive lineman in Michigan history.

Kiper has Grant as the third defensive tackle off the board, behind Graham at No. 5 and Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen at No. 31 to the Kansas City Chiefs.

“GM Howie Roseman favors the trenches in Round 1, so don’t be surprised if he finds another impact defensive tackle with the Eagles’ first pick,” Kiper wrote. “Yes, it would be the third time in four years that he used a Day 1 selection at the position (Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis), and according to ESPN Research, we’ve seen a team do that only three times in the common draft era. But hey, if the Eagles are picking at No. 32, it means they won the Super Bowl and the strategy is working. Plus, Milton Williams is a free agent. Grant’s instincts and ability to bat balls at the line of scrimmage would be welcomed in Philadelphia.”

Michigan hasn’t had a first-round defensive tackle since Mazi Smith in 2023, two drafts ago. Smith stands as the highest-picked U-M interior defensive lineman in the common era of the NFL Draft.