With the 2020 NFL Draft in the rearview (LINK), we now turn our eyes toward the 2020 season and the 2021 draft. A lot can happen between now and then, but you often see pro potential a year or more in advance. There are others who could make the leap, but these are the top six players who would be eligible for next year’s draft.
read more
Round 1 (#24 overall): Cesar Ruiz – C – New Orleans Saints
This was about where most people thought Ruiz would come off the board. I heard some talk about the Saints wanting to groom him for 2021 and beyond, but I think that’s crazy talk. You don’t draft an offensive lineman in round one to let him sit on the bench. He could potentially play guard for a year or more, though. Ultimately, Ruiz goes to a great spot with a team that could be in the running for a Super Bowl.
Round 2 (#60 overall): Josh Uche – OLB – New England Patriots
I have to imagine Uche will see some immediate playing time in New England’s versatile scheme. The Patriots can do a lot of things with him, and he should play a role similar to what he did at Michigan. They should use him to rush off the edge and then also line him up at inside linebacker occasionally and run some stunts. Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins both left New England in the off-season, so the Patriots needed to replenish the linebacker position. He joins former college teammate Chase Winovich, and those two could be rushing the QB from opposite edges in 2020.
Hit the jump for more.
read more
Fort Lauderdale (FL) Saint Thomas Aquinas cornerback Ja’Den McBurrows committed to Michigan on Friday. He picked the Wolverines over offers from Alabama, Florida State, LSU, and Ohio State, among others.
McBurrows is listed at 5’10” and 165 lbs. He claims an 11.01 in the 100 meters. As a junior in 2019, he made 37 tackles, 6 interceptions, and 15 pass breakups.
RANKINGS
ESPN: N/A
Rivals: 3-star, 5.7 grade, #27 CB
247 Sports: 3-star, 85 grade, #90 CB
Hit the jump for more on McBurrows.
read more
Please use the links here at TTB to make your Amazon purchases (LINK):
Just for fun, I like to take a shot at the NFL draft prospects from Michigan each year. This year there is less top-end talent than last year (Devin Bush, Rashan Gary) but more depth. It seems like only two guys are guaranteed to get drafted through Day 2, and then the rest is a crap shoot.
Hit the jump for a rundown on all of Michigan’s draft-eligible athletes.
read more