NFL Draft recap, fits: Playoff teams scramble to add Wolverines, two undrafted players getting opportunities

Michigan football sent another hefty dose of talent to the 2023 NFL Draft with nine Wolverines selected over the course of the three-day event. The haul was headlined by defensive tackle Mazi Smith (Dallas Cowboys) going in the first round, U-M’s lone night-one selection in this year’s draft.

Michigan’s nine selections are the third-most in a draft under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They sent 11 players to the draft in 2017 and 10 more went via the 2020 NFL Draft.

Three players went on Friday night with tight end Luke Schoonmaker, cornerback DJ Turner and kicker Jake Moody coming off the board in the second and third rounds, respectively. Schoonmaker joined Smith with the Cowboys, while Turner wound up in Cincinnati with the Bengals and former Michigan defensive back mate Daxton Hill. Both players were selected in the second round.

The event’s surprise may have been how high Moody went, though. He became the fourth kicker this century to be selected before day three, coming off the board at No. 99 overall to the San Francisco 49ers.

Day three was a busy one for the Wolverines with five players taken in the fifth through seventh rounds. This included EDGE Mike Morris and center Olu Oluwatimi heading to the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth. Punter Brad Robbins was taken by the Bengals in the sixth round, while offensive tackle Ryan Hayes and wide receiver Ronnie Bell were taken in the seventh by the Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.

Interestingly enough, Michigan’s draft picks all went to playoff franchises from last season. The Cowboys, Bengals, Seahawks and 49ers doubled up with U-M prospects, adding players with winning pedigrees to winning franchises.

Michigan football’s NFL Draft recap

— Defensive tackle Mazi Smith (Dallas Cowboys, First Round, No. 26 overall)

The fit: The Cowboys have needed an interior disruptor for years, it feels like. This pick should help them unleash even more of Micah Parsons.

— Tight end Luke Schoonmaker (Dallas Cowboys, Second Round, No. 58 overall)

The fit: Schoonmaker has some untapped potential, which made him worth a chance on day two. The Cowboys want to get more physical and run the ball more, so it makes sense to add a Michigan player to fit that mission statement.

— Cornerback DJ Turner (Cincinnati Bengals, Second Round, No. 60 overall)

The fit: The Bengals have transformed their secondary over the last few drafts, which makes sense in an increasingly pass-happy league and loaded AFC. It will be fun to see Turner play with Dax Hill again.

— Kicker Jake Moody (San Francisco 49ers, Third Round, No. 99 overall)

The fit: This is high for a kicker, and those criticisms are valid. But Moody is a stone-cold killer and gets to join a loaded franchise with Super Bowl expectations. He’s going to get the chance to make a lot of consequential kicks.

— EDGE Mike Morris (Seattle Seahawks, Fifth Round, No. 151 overall)

The fit: Morris can do a bit of everything up front, making him fit for most everyone. He is probably a rotational piece in the NFL, but the Seahawks are great at mining the mid-rounds for gems.

— Center Olu Oluwatimi (Seattle Seahawks, Fifth Round, No. 154 overall)

The fit: Maybe the best value of any Michigan pick here. Oluwatimi has a chance to be a plug-and-play starter for the Seattle offensive line.

— Punter Brad Robbins (Cincinnati Bengals, Sixth Round, No. 217 overall)

The fit: Like his roommate Moody, he gets to go to a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. He will be critical in helping the Bengals flip field position.

— Offensive tackle Ryan Hayes (Miami Dolphins, Seventh Round, No. 238 overall)

The fit: Hayes is probably the Wolverine in this class with the lowest ceiling, but has a chance to be a solid swing tackle and depth piece on the offensive line.

— Wide receiver Ronnie Bell (San Francisco 49ers, Seventh Round, No. 253 overall)

The fit: Another great fit here, as Bell can bring a solid skill set and special teams value to an NFC contender. He is probably a WR4 at best in the NFL, but could make some big plays on third down and as a returner.

— Undrafted free agents: cornerback Gemon Green (New York Giants), tight end Joel Honigford (Arizona Cardinals

The fits: At this point, getting an opportunity is all that matters. Honigford has worked hard this offseason to prove to teams he can be more than just a blocker. He will get a rookie camp invite and see where it goes from there.