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2021 NFL Draft Primer: 1st Round

I have not delved into the NFL Draft this spring as much as I normally would. There’s a good reason for that. I got roped into coaching a spring sport this year (temporarily), and in addition to my regular football coaching duties, it has really thrown off my schedule. I’ve been struggling to stay afloat in real life, let alone writing regularly for the blog. Luckily, that coaching situation resolved itself and I am now back to regularly scheduled programming.

Briefly, I wanted to take a look at tonight’s 1st round of the NFL Draft.

There are two Michigan prospects who could hear their name called. One is almost a certainty, and the other is unlikely.

First, defensive end Kwity Paye measured in at 6’2″, 261 lbs. with a 74 4/8″ wingspan and 10″ hands. He did 36 reps on the bench, showed off a 35 1/2″ vertical, broad jumped 9’10”, and ran the forty in 4.52. (I don’t trust pro day forty times, so it was probably more like a 4.62, which is still pretty good. I’ve heard multiple draft analysts mention that they do not believe Paye was used optimally at Michigan because he moved around so much (DE, DT, NT) and was not allowed to excel at being a pass rusher. They think he will be better in the NFL once he’s able to stabilize his position.
Possible landing spots: #10 to Dallas, #12 to Philadelphia, #14 Minnesota, #17 Las Vegas

Second is offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield. Mayfield measured in at 6’5″ and 326 lbs. with a 79 5/8″ wingspan and 9 3/4″ hands. He ran a 5.31 forty (or 5.41) with a 7.86 three cone drill and a 4.91 5-10-5 shuttle. Mayfield played pretty well for a redshirt freshman in 2019, but he came back late for the 2020 season . . . and didn’t last very long before getting injured. He never reached his potential at Michigan, but he could be a right tackle or a guard in the NFL. I think he’s more likely to end up in the second or third round, but slipping into the late first is a possibility.
Possible landing spots: #23 New York Jets, #24 Pittsburgh, #27 Baltimore, #29 Green Bay, #31 Baltimore

Tyler Morris, Wolverine

Head on over to the Blogger version to discuss (LINK).

La Grange Park (IL) Nazareth Academy wide receiver Tyler Morris committed to Michigan last week. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Florida, Notre Dame, and Penn State, among others.

Morris is a 6’0″, 165 lb. prospect. He was a teammate of Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy up through the 2019 season (McCarthy transferred to IMG Academy for the 2020 season).

RATINGS
ESPN: 4-star, 83 grade, #15 WR, #135 overall
Rivals: 4-star, 5.9 grade, #8 WR, #78 overall
247 Sports: 4-star, 94 grade, #9 WR, #77 overall

Hit the jump for more.

2021 Season Countdown: #129 Peter Simmons III

Note: I skipped #130 because Willie Allen transferred (LINK) and I’m not going to bother posting about him later, so the countdown jumps from #131 to #129.

Name: Peter Simmons III
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 282 lbs.
High school: Fort Myers (FL) Bishop Verot
Position: Offensive guard
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Simmons was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Simmons committed to Michigan as a preferred walk-on, despite some offers from smaller colleges, including FCS Butler. He’s rather limited when it comes to athleticism, and obviously, it’s tough to play offensive line as any kind of freshman, scholarship-level or walk-on. I full expect him to redshirt and play on the scout team.

Prediction: Redshirt

Willie Allen, Ex-Wolverine

Offensive tackle Willie Allen has entered the transfer portal after spending the winter at Michigan. He transferred from Louisiana Tech, after he transferred from Tyler Junior College, after he transferred from LSU. So wherever he ends up from here, it will be Allen’s fourth college.

Allen was expected to compete for an open offensive tackle job, but word out of Schembechler Hall was that he needed to put in plenty of work to get into playing shape at Michigan. After sitting out the 2020 season, it’s not too surprising that a guy who hasn’t played football in two years might be a little bit rusty.

I had a hard time seeing where Allen would fit in Michigan’s plans, though he was a nice insurance policy. Michigan has younger guys that seem like they’re on a good track to play at a high level.

2021 Season Countdown: #131 Noah Howes

Name: Noah Howes
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 250 lbs.
High school: Rochester (MI) Rochester Hills
Position: Offensive tackle
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Howes was a senior in high school.
TTB Rating: N/A

Howes recently committed to Michigan as a walk-on, spurring a scholarship offer from Navy. At 6’4″ and 250 lbs., it’s easy to see why the Midshipmen offered. They like athletic linemen who might not have the mammoth size that other schools prefer. The nice thing about a place like Michigan is that he would not be expected to contribute early, so he can join the program, add some weight, get in the weight room, and potentially be a contributor down the road.

I really appreciate how Howes plays, the way he finishes blocks and then hustles back to the huddle. That kind of effort, hustle, and enthusiasm can carry over to teammates, and if he works that way in the weight room, Michigan might have found a diamond in the rough.

Prediction: Redshirt