The 2017 NFL Draft will see talented college football players finding new homes in the NFL come April. Among them are several stars from Michigan looking to make their names at the next level.
RELATED: HERO Sports Mock Draft 1.0
In the past three drafts, the Wolverines have sent nine total players to the NFL, headlined by 11th-overall selection Taylor Lewan in 2014.
It looks like Michigan might match and exceed that nine-player number this season alone, as HERO Sports senior NFL Draft analyst Todd Worly has seven Michigan prospects ranked in his top 64 players, including two top-10 prospects.
Led by Jabrill Peppers and Taco Charlton, Michigan is likely to have multiple top-10 selections this season and has the chance to have three first-round selections.
Here's a look at the top NFL Draft prospects from Michigan and what Worly has to say about each:
No. 3: Jabrill Peppers, S
Peppers did just about everything at Michigan in all three phases, and has the potential to become an elite NFL safety that also just so happens to have the versatility to adapt and be an elite Swiss Army Knife based on each week’s game plan.
No. 6: Taco Charlton, DE
You could make an argument that Charlton was the best draft-eligible player in the country that played in a bowl game. He has the length, frame, and ability to become a dominant 4-3 defensive end in the NFL both against the run and the pass.
No. 30: Jourdan Lewis, CB
In a loaded cornerback class at the top of the draft, you really can’t go wrong with any of these guys. Lewis has a similar skill set to Iowa's Desmond King, with the former Wolverine having perhaps a little better top end speed and the former Hawkeye getting the edge in instincts and physicality.
No. 43: Jake Butt, TE
Butt has a very similar size and skill set to Alabama's O.J. Howard. It remains to be seen how much the torn ACL Butt suffered in the Orange Bowl will hamper his draft stock, but that’s why he comes in five slots lower than Howard at this point.
No. 49: Chris Wormley, 3-4 DE
At 6-foot-5, 302-pounds, Wormley has the size, physical ability and motor to bring value both against the run and as an interior pass rusher at 3-4 defensive end and become a solid NFL starter at the very least.
No. 58: Ryan Glasgow, DT
A lot of top defensive tackles at the college level are somewhat inconsistent with their motor from play to play. Not Glasgow, and he’s at least as explosive and powerful as many of the top defensive tackles in this class, and also has arguably the best and most consistent knee bend. He has the talent to contribute right away, and should become a starter by his second year, if not sooner. Assuming good health, there’s very little risk on this one.
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No. 59: Jehu Chesson, WR
Chesson’s draft stock may have slipped in the eyes of some people in 2016. However, keep in mind that the former Wolverine tore the PCL in his knee on New Year’s Day of 2016, a little over a year ago, and wasn’t fully cleared to practice until August. I have a hunch that as Chesson progresses further and further away from that injury, his explosiveness and top end speed that he put on film in 2015 will reemerge. The former Wolverine could be a major steal at this stage of the draft, and he has the ability to end up turning in an excellent rookie year in the NFL.
