Top 3 NFL Draft prospects from Michigan ft. JJ McCarthy & More
Off a national title season, Michigan is sending plenty of players into the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Wolverines' biggest draft fixture is QB JJ McCarthy, who has played his way into the top of the first round. After McCarthy, there are a wealth of Wolverines who could go in the round two to round three vicinity. Here's a preview of the top three Michigan NFL Draft prospects.
Top three Michigan Draft prospects
#3 Kris Jenkins, DT
Jenkins was a three-star recruit from Maryland who started for two seasons at UM. At six-foot-two and roughly 300 pounds, Jenkins is a high motor player who was timed in the combine at 4.9 seconds in the 40 yard dash. He had 112 tackles and eight tackles for loss in total at Michigan.
Jenkins was a second team All-American in 2023 and a team captain. He's not the most physically imposing player at the position, but his combination of speed and intensity suggests that he can get into NFL backfields regularly.
Jenkins is a likely second round pick, with projections ranging from early in the second round until late in the round. Among the teams connected with Jenkins are the Chargers, Browns and the Colts.
Jenkins is a day one contributor even if he's not exactly a certain star at the next level. His NFL career has a wide variety of possible outcomes.
#2 Mike Sainristil, CB
Sainristil is still learning football. An immigrant from Haiti, Sainristil was a three-star recruit.
He was a wide receiver for three years at Michigan and moved to cornerback. He was a team captain in both seasons on defense. Sainristil broke up eight passes in 2022. He then broke up a dozen passes in 2023, including six interceptions with a pair of pick-sixes.
Sainristil is only five-foot-nine, but his sub 4.5 second 40 yard dash time is impressive. Sainristill was probably be most useful in slot coverage rather than on the edge. He will turn 24 during the season. Of course, he's still learning football.
Sainristill is likely to go in the second round, with projections running from the top of the round to the back. Among the teams that have been linked to Sainristill are the Chargers and the Texans. Sainristil is a solid pro prospect who could have a long NFL career ahead of him.
#1 JJ McCarthy, QB
McCarthy was a five-star recruit who started for the last two seasons at Michigan. While he was something of a game-manager type, his ability to make positive plays and avoid negative plays was impressive. In his UM career, McCarthy completed 68% of his passes for 6,226 yards and 49 touchdowns and threw just 11 interceptions.
At six-foot-two and just under 220 pounds, McCarthy might be able to take the punishment of the NFL better than a thinner QB. He will certainly have to make more plays in the NFL than he did at Michigan, but his poise and efficiency will serve him well.
McCarthy has played his way into the top of the first round. While many mock drafts had him in the top five picks, he's commonly being projected around ninth at this time. That's still an impressive draft slot for the UM passer.
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