Aidan Hutchinson, David Ojabo among risers in The Athletic's draft rankings
Michigan football’s pass-rushing duo of Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo has drawn plenty of praise this season. There are still games left to be played, but their NFL Draft stock continues to rise.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic released updated positional rankings for the 2022 class this week. Hutchinson and Ojabo ranked first and third, respectively, among EDGE defenders. Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux comes in ranked second behind Hutchinson and above Ojabo.
“Two players who have been steadily rising all season are Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson and David Ojabo,” Brugler wrote. “The Wolverines pass rush duo could be two of the first half-dozen defenders drafted in April, including Hutchinson competing for No. 1 overall pick status.”
Brugler believes the hype that Hutchinson could go No. 1 overall to the Detroit Lions (should they have the pick) to be legitimate.
“I took some heat last week when I put Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson at No. 1 in my mock draft to the Detroit Lions, but we’re going to see and hear that possibility more and more as we get closer to the draft,” he wrote. “The Heisman finalist has continued to hone his skills as a senior, which has resulted in a Michigan-record 13.5 sacks this season.”
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Other prospects with Michigan ties in Brugler’s update include running back Hassan Haskins, who ranks 10th among running backs. Third-year safety Daxton Hill is second among safeties behind Notre Dame’s Kyle Hamilton.
Ojabo and Hill are underclassmen with decisions to make on returning for another season at Michigan. Determinations on their futures have not been made. They will have until Jan. 17 to declare for the 2022 NFL Draft or return to Ann Arbor for one last ride.
The chief concern now is prepping for the Georgia Bulldogs, who Michigan will see in the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal on Dec. 31.
