Three Michigan Football prospects crack Maize n Brew’s 2020 NFL Draft Top-60

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

1. Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State
2. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
3. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
4. Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
5. Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
6. Derrick Brown, IDL, Auburn
7. Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama
8. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
9. Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
10. Javon Kinlaw, IDL, South Carolina
11. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
12. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
13. Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
14. Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
15. Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
16. K’Lavon Chaisson, EDGE, LSU
17. A.J. Epenesa, EDGE, Iowa
18. Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama
19. D’Andre Swift, RB, Georgia
20. Grant Delpit, S, LSU
21. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
22. C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
23. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
24. Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
25. J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio State
26. Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado
27. Zack Baun, EDGE, Wisconsin
28. Ross Blacklock, IDL, TCU
29. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
30. Yetur Gross-Matos, EDGE, Penn State
31. Nevile Gallimore, IDL, Oklahoma
32. Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
33. Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan
34. Lloyd Cushenberry III, IOL, LSU
35. Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU
36. K.J. Hamler, WR, Penn State
37. Justin Madubuike, IDL, Texas A&M
38. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota
39. Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
40. Lucas Niang, OT, TCU
41. Terrell Lewis, EDGE, Alabama
42. Noah Igbinoghene, CB, Auburn
43. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
44. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU
45. Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU
46. Julian Okwara, EDGE, Notre Dame
47. Josh Jones, OT, Houston
48. Joshua Uche, EDGE, Michigan
49. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
50. Jonah Jackson, IOL, Ohio State
51. Curtis Weaver, EDGE, Boise State
52. Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
53. Ashtyn Davis, S, California
54. A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson
55. Cam Akers, RB, Florida State
56. Damon Arnette, CB, Ohio State
57. Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan
58. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
59. Raekwon Davis, IDL, Alabama
60. 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.