2023 NFL Draft - A Banner Year for Michigan Players

From soaring draft grades to unexpected snubs, the Wolverines experienced it all in their transition from college football to the professional turf, so let’s delve into a comprehensive recap of the Wolverines' eventful journey in the draft.

Overall, 9 players were drafted, not far the behind the 10 that Alabama and Georgia secured.

1- A Cowboys’ dream: Mazi Smith to Dallas

Big man Mazi Smith had his eyes locked on the star-studded Dallas Cowboys. He brought his A-game to the draft, earning a top-notch grade. Known for his iron-clad defensive game, Smith's selection solidifies his spot as a force to be reckoned with on the field. His defensive prowess makes him a perfect fit for the Cowboys' playbook. Smith arrives in Dallas carrying the expectation to immediately bolster the team's run defense, given his imposing 6-foot-3, 337-pound frame. This comes in response to the Cowboys' struggle in this area last year, ranking 22nd in the league for rushing yards allowed.

2- Cowboys get another one: Luke Schoonmaker

Pulling a surprise move, tight end Luke Schoonmaker also found his gridiron home with the Dallas Cowboys. Schoonmaker presents an intriguing prospect for a long-term investment with development in mind, albeit being on the older side. His stature, ability to extend the field, and fundamental blocking skills offer an excellent base for further skill enhancement. Key areas for improvement include better control in congested plays and diversifying his route patterns to include more abrupt turns. Schoonmaker is ideally suited for an offensive system that values both his vertical game and blocking skills. He seems a good fit for the Cowboys and the best NFL betting sites are already pricing up what impact he’ll have on the 2023/24 season.

3- Need for speed: DJ Turner to the Cincinnati Bengals

DJ Turner, the lightning-fast player of the 2023 draft, landed a B grade with the Cincinnati Bengals. His speed and the added bonus of a familiar face from college in the Bengals' defense gives the team a dynamic duo ready to tear up the field. Turner is expected to receive a good amount of game time during his rookie season, particularly if injury issues surface. Even without these, he's seen as the top backup to sophomore corner Cam Taylor-Britt, with Awuzie and Hilton as the other two starting corners.

4- A kicker's Cinderella story: Jake Moody to the San Francisco 49ers

In a move that made some jaws drop, kicker Jake Moody was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers. Earning a beyond perfect grade, Moody was regarded as one of the most reliable kickers nationwide for two consecutive seasons and emerged as the undisputed, top-notch kicker in this draft class. His on-point clutch kicks played an instrumental role in the Wolverines’ standout seasons.

5- Underdog triumphs: Mike Morris to the Seattle Seahawks

Edge rusher Mike Morris joined the ranks of the Seattle Seahawks, albeit with a low draft grade. But don't count him out – the Seahawks saw a diamond in the rough, and Morris's raw power and versatility might just make this a steal of a pick. His standout performance in 2022 netted him a plethora of honors, including a spot on the Second-Team All-American (2022), a nod for First-Team All-Big Ten (2022) and the prestigious Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year title (2022).

6- The man in the middle: Olu Oluwatimi to the Seattle Seahawks

Olu Oluwatimi, known as the college's best center, also got the call from the Seattle Seahawks, scoring a B grade. Despite the average grading, Oluwatimi's future shines bright and he’s ready to make his mark in the NFL. Among all of Seattle's fresh draft additions, even including the first-round picks Devon Witherspoon and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Oluwatimi might just be the best prepared for the pros. With close to 3,500 offensive snaps under his belt across various college offensive schemes, he's battle-hardened and ready.

7- Punt away: Brad Robbins to Cincinnati

Brad Robbins, a high-caliber punter, found a home with Cincinnati, earning a solid B grade. His selection shows Cincinnati's trust in his ability to elevate their special teams' play. Robbins demonstrated a respectable average of 42.3 yards over his 43 punts for the Wolverines in 2022, albeit a dip from his career peak of 46.3 yards the previous year. Overall, across five seasons with the Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Robbins recorded an average punt distance of 43 yards, an achievement second only to Will Hart's average of 44.3 yards between 2017 and 2020.

Low grades and undrafted

Not everyone was able to score highly, or even be drafted. Starting left tackle Ryan Hayes got a tough draw with the Miami Dolphins, pulling an E grade. Despite his standout performances in college, Hayes' draft spot and his talents didn't match up, marking a disappointing turn. Ronnie Bell, who narrowly escaped going undrafted, was picked up by the San Francisco 49ers, getting a C grade. Even without a breakout college career, Bell has the goods to surprise many at the professional level.

Sadly, Gemon Green, who gave up his final year of college, ended up undrafted. Despite the harsh grade, his journey reminds aspiring pros to weigh their options carefully before going pro. And for those who don’t make it, just remember to some, college ball is more popular than the NFL, so it’s a huge achievement to have got this far, regardless of whether they make the next step or not.

The 2023 NFL Draft brought a mixed bag for the Michigan Wolverines. While players like Mazi Smith, Jake Moody and Luke Schoonmaker celebrated impressive feats, others such as Mike Morris, Ryan Hayes and Gemon Green navigated challenging paths. It will be interesting to see how those who were drafted this year fare in the NFL.