Michigan NFL Draft: Where 7 Wolverines went in full simulation

Michigan Wolverines football will send a top-heavy talent crop to the 2025 NFL Draft with as many as four potential first-round picks. Two of those guys could wind up being top-10 selections in defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson.

The entry deadline has passed, and the process has moved to the college all-star games and NFL Combine, which will occur in late February. The Michigan stars will have a chance to boost their stocks and solidify their draft candidacy over the next few months.

The following full 7-round simulation was run using the Pro Football Focus mock draft machine. NOTE: The draft order is not yet official pending the results of Super Bowl 59 and final compensatory picks awarded to teams.

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, defensive tackle

2024 stats: 46 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 1 pass defended (12 games)

Graham is seen as one of the surest bets in the class and a player who checks all the boxes from production to traits. Some might argue he is the best all-around player in this spring’s event, but quarterback-needy teams will push him down the board a bit. Here, he gets to join a Raiders organization with some new life with Tom Brady running the show and Pete Carroll’s hiring as the new head coach.

10. Chicago Bears: Will Johnson, cornerback

2024 stats: 14 total tackles, 2 INT (2 for TD), 3 passes defended (6 games)

Johnson was limited by a foot injury for much of this season. But now that it is rested up, he has a shot to regain some momentum as an NFL Draft prospect and arguably the top cornerback in the class. Even with limited film at Michigan from this season, he has 2.5 years of strong play and has gotten the better of several wide receivers already playing in the pros.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenneth Grant, defensive tackle

2024 stats: 32 total tackles, 3 sacks, 2 fumbles recovered, 5 passes defended (12 games)

One of our new favorite offseason traditions has become linking former Michigan stars to Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers. Last year, linebacker Junior Colson and wide receiver Cornelius Johnson wound up heading west with their former head coach. This simulation has Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter adding some beef in the middle with Kenneth Grant.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Colston Loveland, tight end

2024 stats: 56 receptions for 582 yards, 5 TD (10 games)

Travis Kelce will not play forever, especially if he decides to walk away soon with a sound mind, sound body and live life alongside Taylor Swift. Whether he retires after this season or not, Colston Loveland could join and be the next in line as a star weapon in Kansas City. Patrick Mahomes is a kingmaker in that regard, and this would be a dream match for any aspiring offensive playmaker.

75. San Francisco 49ers: Josaiah Stewart, EDGE

2024 stats: 33 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles (11 games)

Josaiah Stewart has the skillset to go much higher than this, but teams will likely knock the Michigan pass rusher for his lack of size (6-1, 245) relative to his peers at the position. However, the San Francisco 49ers could be a great spot to play with reps available in the two-deep and playing in a pass rush where Nick Bosa commands a lot of attention.

123. Green Bay Packers: Kalel Mullings, running back

2024 stats: 185 carries for 948 yards, 12 touchdowns, 6 receptions for 35 yards (12 games)

Kalel Mullings went from unsung hero to Michigan legend this year, darn near single-handedly leading the team to wins over USC, Minnesota and Ohio State with some clutch late-game runs. This season was the heaviest workload of his career by far, so there is plenty of tread left on the tires heading into the next stage of his career.

246. Detroit Lions: Donovan Edwards, running back

2024 stats: 128 carries for 589 yards, 4 touchdowns, 18 receptions for 83 yards, TD (12 games)

Some of Donovan Edwards‘ best runs in the winged helmet came in the most clutch moments imaginable, whether it be closing out a win at Ohio State without Blake Corum in 2022 or a pair of touchdowns in last year’s national title game. A late-round selection by the Lions would put him about 45 minutes away from both Ann Arbor and his hometown of West Bloomfield.