Three Michigan football players headed to 'perfect landing spots' after NFL Draft
The Michigan Wolverines sent seven players to the 2025 NFL Draft, headlined by a trio of first-rounders in defensive tackle Mason Graham (No. 5 overall, Cleveland Browns), tight end Colston Loveland (No. 10, Chicago Bears and defensive tackle Kenneth Grant (No. 13, Miami Dolphins).
The NFL Draft class also included cornerback Will Johnson (No. 47, Arizona Cardinals), EDGE Josaiah Stewart (No. 90, Los Angeles Rams), running back Kalel Mullings (No. 188, Tennessee Titans) and offensive tackle Myles Hinton (No. 191, Philadelphia Eagles). However, three of them have fits that register above the rest, according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen.
The first is Graham, who went from dominating the state of Ohio to becoming one of the new faces of the Browns. Cleveland originally held the No. 2 overall pick, but traded back with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who grabbed multi-position star Travis Hunter.
Bowen thinks Graham’s fit with the Cleveland defense is tailor-made.
“Graham’s ability to generate interior disruption is a boost for the Browns’ defensive front, where he will play as a 3-technique tackle in Jim Schwartz’s system,” Bowen wrote. “The foot quickness, hand usage and short-area burst led Graham to 17.5 tackles for loss over his three seasons at Michigan.
“But let’s not forget about Schwartz’s ability to scheme for Graham out of multiple fronts as a pass rusher, too. In Cleveland’s defense, Graham can use his movement skills on stunts and loops, while also getting the interior one-on-one matchups. And don’t be surprised to see him rush as a stand-up nose tackle against centers.”
Loveland’s fit with the Bears was also praised, giving them another weapon around former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson should have a plan for the Michigan star that could result in a productive relationship.
“Loveland is a refined route runner with positional flex, and that upgrades new coach Ben Johnson’s offense in the pass game,” Bowen wrote. “At 6-foot-6, 248 pounds, Loveland can play in-line, bump to the slot or even move to the backside of 3×1 sets. He’s more than just a big seam stretcher, though; Loveland can create separation as he comes out of his breaks and has the lower-body quickness to get loose against press coverage. He’s a three-level target.
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“Those traits give Johnson’s offense more creativity from a formation perspective, as Chicago could major in two-TE sets with both Loveland and Cole Kmet on the field. With the additions of Loveland and second-round receiver Luther Burden III, the Bears are setting up quarterback Caleb Williams with a versatile group of pass catchers.”
Johnson rounds out the group after sliding to the second round to play with the Cardinals. It is a schematic fit and a skill set that Bowen says made perfect sense.
“More smooth than sudden, Johnson plays with aggressive eyes in the secondary and has explosive traits,” Bowen said. That works in a Cardinals defense that tends to be more zone-heavy (61% of opponent dropbacks last season). In Cover 3 or quarters coverages, he can use his backfield vision to get a jump on the throw. In Cover 2, he can sink and break as the flat defender.
“With a 6-foot-2 frame, Johnson can also press and stick after the initial release from the receiver. But the high percentage of zone coverage in Arizona will put him in a position to use his playmaking skills on the perimeter. Johnson had nine interceptions at Michigan over three seasons, including three defensive touchdowns.”
