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Michigan has three of 12 NFL Draft prospects with a 'true round one grade'

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•about 13 hours•

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Colston Loveland
Michigan Wolverines football tight end Colston Loveland caught a touchdown pass at the end of the first half in a win over Northwestern. (Photo by Lon Horwedel / TheWolverine.com)

There are 32 first-round NFL Draft picks, but not all of them have “first-round grades,” general managers, scouts and analysts say every year. According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, there are typically 15 players who are deemed “first-round talents,” though he notes “the number varies by team and scouting department.”

Miller, one of ESPN’s top analysts, wrote that his guideline for “first-round talent” is whether a player would have gone in the opening round in each of the past five classes. Last year, that number was 18. This time, it’s 12, according to Miller.

Three of those 12 are Michigan Wolverines — tight end Colston Loveland, defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson.

Loveland is Miller’s No. 11 overall draft prospect and one of two tight ends who are true first-rounders, along with Penn State’s Tyler Warren (No. 9 overall).

“Loveland started the 2024 season with a solid Round 1 grade and a top-10 ranking, but a shoulder injury that seemed to linger caused some concern and prompted me to push him down the board,” Miller wrote. “But this time of year is great for reflection, and Loveland deserves a true Round 1 grade.

“The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Loveland is physical and tough with the upfield movement ability to beat defenders in his route tree. He’s also a capable blocker with experience playing both in-line and flexed out. Loveland finished this past season with 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games.”

Graham, meanwhile, is Miller’s No. 4 overall prospect and the only defensive tackle to appear on this list.

“Graham pops on tape, as you’ll see him causing constant problems from his 3-technique alignment,” Miller wrote of the Michigan star. “The 6-foot-3, 320-pounder had 3.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2024. He is powerful enough to anchor in the run game while also being quick enough to knife through gaps and make plays in the backfield. One AFC East scout summed it up to me by saying that Graham ‘never loses snaps.’ He consistently beats the player in front of him and has the tools to be an NFL star.”

Johnson, Miller’s No. 3 overall player in the draft, is one of two cornerbacks on the list, joined by Texas’ Jahdae Barron, the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award in 2024.

“Johnson was limited to six games in 2024 because of a foot injury but had two interceptions (both pick-sixes) during that time,” Miller wrote. “He is an elite all-around corner with speed and physicality, as his 6-foot-2, 202-pound frame allows him to match up with bigger receivers. Johnson isn’t as flashy as [Colorado wide receiver / cornerback] Travis Hunter, but he is incredibly savvy and technically sound.”

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