Michigan football: Recapping NFL Draft decisions after deadline passes
Michigan football saw the NFL Draft deadline come and go on Monday with very little drama involved. Those that were still on the board heading into the final days – WR Cornelius Johnson, guards Trevor Keegan and Zak Zinter, defensive lineman Kris Jenkins and linebacker Michael Barrett – are all back and project to play large roles again next season.
Running back Blake Corum, of course, is the most consequential of the bunch. Had he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, there would have been plenty of questions about U-M’s backfield rotation in 2023 behind Donovan Edwards. Now, the stable gets an entire offseason to get healthy and unleash its fury once again on Big Ten defenses.
Defensive back Mike Sainristil was the first to announce he would return for a fifth year, which is also a stabilizing presence for the Michigan secondary. The wide receiver convert switched to nickel last offseason and was a natural, performing at an All-Big Ten level throughout the season. With DJ Turner and Gemon Green out the door to give the NFL Draft a try, Sainristil and soon-to-be sophomore corner Will Johnson are locked into their roles.
The other NFL Draft declarees were not as surprising. EDGE Mike Morris and defensive tackle Mazi Smith could have come back for fifth seasons, but have a shot to be day two draft picks. Left tackle Ryan Hayes and wideout Ronnie Bell could have come back, but accepted Senior Bowl invites. So did center Olu Oluwatimi, the Rimington and Outland Award winner who had run out of eligibility. Tight end Luke Schoonmaker, kicker Jake Moody and punter Brad Robbins were not surprises, either.
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Johnson’s return was never much in question, but does fill a major need at wide receiver. With Bell out the door, he and Roman Wilson will combine at the top of the depth chart as experienced players. There is very little of it with the others at wide receiver. If nothing else, he is a known commodity entering his fifth season. Barrett’s return at linebacker feels similar in that there might be younger guys ready to make an impact, but a veteran, versatile presence is now a luxury.
Keegan and Zinter’s decisions to come back, like Corum’s, might be the most impactful. Michigan has a lot of fluidity on the offensive line having to replace the starting left tackle and center spots and a continuing battle at right tackle. Their presence alone could make Michigan a contender once again for the Joe Moore Award.
Here is a list version of who is staying and who is out the door via the NFL Draft.
Players returning
– Running back Blake Corum
– Defensive back Mike Sainristil
– Wide receiver Cornelius Johnson
– Offensive guard Trevor Keegan
– Offensive guard Zak Zinter
– Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins
– Linebacker Michael Barrett
Michigan players declared/accepted all-star game invites
– Wide receiver Ronnie Bell (Senior Bowl)
– Tight end Luke Schoonmaker (East-West Shrine Game)
– Center Olu Oluwatimi (Senior Bowl) – out of eligibility
– Offensive tackle Ryan Hayes (Senior Bowl)
– Defensive tackle Mazi Smith
– EDGE Mike Morris
– Cornerback Gemon Green
– Cornerback DJ Turner
– Kicker Jake Moody – out of eligibility
– Punter Brad Robbins (NFL Combine invitee) – out of eligibility
The 2023 NFL Draft is set for April 27-29 and will be held in Kansas City, Missouri, home of the Chiefs. The Chicago Bears hold the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s class.
