Michigan football had 10 players taken in the 2020 NFL draft — one short of tying a program record.
The Wolverines likely won’t have as many players selected in this week’s draft.
But there are still several players with a very good chance of hearing their name called at some point between Thursday and Saturday — and Michigan also seems well-positioned to have a first-round draft pick for the third consecutive year.
Here’s a look at the Wolverines who are most likely to be selected — starting with one player everyone believes will be a Day 1 pick:
JOIN US: Talk NFL draft with ex-Michigan player and Dave Birkett on Tuesday
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EDGE Kwity Paye
Bio: 6 feet 2½, 261 pounds, 4.52-second 40-yard dash (hand-timed), 36 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press (all from Michigan’s pro day).
2020 stats: 16 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks in four games.
Draft projection: Early-to-mid first round.
The breakdown: Paye has consistently been projected as one of the first pass-rushers off the board, despite an injury and COVID-shortened senior season. Paye finished his Michigan career with 11½ sacks in four seasons (he had a career-high 6½ sacks in 2019, his first full season as a starter), but scouts seem to believe Paye’s physical traits and athleticism outweigh the lack of production. In Paye’s favor: He was always a stout run defender, and despite a lack of sacks, markedly improved as a pass rusher in 2020 — when healthy. Whenever he is picked, Paye will be Michigan’s 10th defensive lineman/pass rusher drafted under coach Jim Harbaugh.
READ: Two NFL draft prospects show what Michigan is and what it could become
THE PATH: Kwity Paye escaped civil war. Now he stars for Michigan football
OL Jalen Mayfield
Bio: 6-5, 326, 5.31-second 40-yard dash, 80-inch wingspan, 32⅝-inch arm length, 7.86-second 3-cone drill.
2020 stats: Started in two games at right tackle; missed the rest due to injury. Started all 13 games at right tackle in 2019.
Draft projection: Late first round to second round.
The breakdown: Mayfield could be one of the more intriguing offensive line prospects in this year’s draft. In three seasons at Michigan, he played in 18 games (15 starts), which makes him relatively inexperienced for his position group. Still, he is well-liked by draft prognosticators because of his strong performance at the end of the 2019 season, when he was a redshirt freshman. Mayfield didn’t do much to boost his draft stock in 2020; he started two games but was injured against Michigan State and did not play the rest of the season. Mayfield seems to have the ability to stick at tackle at the next level, but could move inside, depending on the needs of the team that drafts him.
WR Nico Collins
Bio: 6-4, 215, 4.43-second 40-yard dash, 6.71-second 3-cone drill, 14 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
2020 stats: Did not play; 37 catches for 729 yards and seven touchdowns in 2019.
Draft projection: Day 3 pick.
The breakdown: Collins didn’t produce much at Michigan (at least compared to other touted receivers across the country), but his size and speed should get him drafted. He is somewhat similar to former Notre Dame receiver Chase Claypool: A large target who can get open downfield (Claypool also ran well leading up to the draft) and use his size to win contested balls. Looking for a Michigan-themed comparison, think Devin Funchess. This is a passing league, which means Collins will have a chance to be productive, even though it is unlikely teams will rely upon him as a No. 1 or No. 2 receiver.
CB Ambry Thomas
Bio: 5-11, 191, 4.37 second 40-yard dash, 15 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
2020 stats: Did not play; 38 tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass breakups in 2019.
Draft projection: Day 3 pick.
The breakdown: Michigan’s secondary really could have used Thomas (who opted out) in 2020. Despite a preseason bout with colitis that put him in the hospital and forced him to regain weight quickly, Thomas excelled in 2019. Always regarded as one of the fastest players on the roster — he returned kicks as an underclassman — he showed he could hang in man coverage in his only season as a full-time starter. He doesn’t seem likely to be drafted in the first two rounds. Still, Thomas could easily out-play his draft position, should he be taken on Day 3. He has solid size, good speed, can cover and has ball skills. Even if he doesn’t find the field immediately on defense, he could provide value on special teams.
LB Cameron McGrone
Bio: 6-0, 234, 20 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press.
2020 stats: 26 tackles, two tackles for loss, ½ sack in five games.
Draft projection: Day 3 pick.
The breakdown: McGrone was the heir apparent to former middle linebacker Devin Bush Jr. (a first-round selection in the 2019 draft). McGrone took over at middle linebacker early in 2019 and played well, finishing with 65 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss and 2½ sacks. He displayed impressive athleticism — particularly speed and acceleration — and seemed poised for a big 2020 season. But nothing went as planned for McGrone or for the rest of Michigan’s defense. Then, at Rutgers, he tore an ACL. Modern medicine means McGrone should recover, but he did not get a chance to display his speed at Michigan’s pro day.
Contact Orion Sang at osang@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @orion_sang. Read more on the Michigan Wolverines and sign up for our Wolverines newsletter.