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The 2020 NFL Draft appears it will be going on as scheduled, albeit in a live studio format as opposed to the big event that was set to place in Las Vegas, Nevada from April 23-25. The Michigan Wolverines are sending a handful of prospects there this year, as is usually the case.
How do they fit in with some of the other talent coming out of the college ranks? That’s what we are here for, as we have placed the Wolverines in with the top 60 players entering the event next month.
The Michigan Prospects
No. 33 overall: Cesar Ruiz, IOL
Despite a lack of top-end talent coming out of Ann Arbor this year, Ruiz looks like the one Wolverine who has a legitimate shot to crack the first round. An NFL contact revealed to me prior to Ruiz’s decision that if he came out, the franchise they worked for had him as a top-50 prospect. Everything we have seen since he declared keeps pointing to that. Ruiz brings positional flexibility as a center or guard and is arguably the most rock-solid interior offensive lineman in this draft.
No. 48 overall: Joshua Uche, EDGE
Teams that miss out on Isaiah Simmons at the top of the draft may be looking for a similarly-versatile chess piece on the second day and Uche fits the bill there. While probably more of a pass rusher by trade, Uche has three-down potential at the next level and has also shown an ability to drop back in coverage during the pre-draft process. A hamstring injury probably keeps him in this range, but his arrow has only continued to point upward since the end of the college season.
No. 57 overall: Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR
It is not a hot take nor is it a criticism to say that DPJ never quite lived up to the five-star billing at Michigan from a production standpoint (that’s more of a Michigan problem than it is his). However, this guy has flashed plenty of ability as a versatile playmaker in the right set of circumstances. Not many players will test better athletically than he will and the way he was able to improve his body control and hands in his time in Ann Arbor was impressive. He also brings kick return ability to a team. Unless he improves in press coverage situations, however, he probably is more of a big slot and chess piece over the middle of the field than someone you’re asking to line up outside. A good quarterback and dynamic playcaller would do wonders for unlocking the rest of that potential.
The Full Top-60
- Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
- Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
- Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
- Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
- Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
- Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
- Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
- Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
- Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
- Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
- CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
- Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
- Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
- Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
- Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
- K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
- A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
- Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
- D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
- Grant Delpit, S, LSU
- Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
- C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
- Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
- Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
- J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
- Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
- Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
- Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
- Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
- Nevile Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
- Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
- Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
- Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU
- Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
- K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
- Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M
- Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
- Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
- Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
- Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
- Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
- Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
- Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
- Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
- Josh Jones, OT, Houston
- Joshua Uche, EDGE, Michigan
- Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
- Jonah Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
- Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
- Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
- Ashtyn Davis, S, California
- A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
- Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
- Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
- Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
- Raekwon Davis, IDL, Alabama
- Prince Tega Wanogho, OT, Auburn
We’ll expand these rankings further down the road, Meanwhile, if you have any questions about a prospect here, let us know in the comments below.