Top 5 Michigan players going into the 2024 NFL Draft

The Michigan Wolverines are coming off a national championship victory and have a significant number of upperclassmen who have decided to enter the 2024 NFL draft. They have a different situation after coach Jim Harbaugh also left for an NFL head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Wolverines had 14 players going to the NFL scouting combine and should be drafted at some point within the seven rounds. But which players will be selected first?

Top 5 Michigan Wolverines going into the 2024 NFL draft

#5 Blake Corum (RB)

Running back Blake Corum is one of the most talented running backs in the draft class. The running back position has been so devalued in the National Football League, and Corum is entering after playing four years of college football, but he is one of the top players overall.

Last season, Corum finished with 258 rushing attempts for 1,245 yards (4.8 yards per carry) and 27 rushing touchdowns, as well as 16 catches for 117 yards (7.3 yards per reception) and a touchdown grab. He can be involved in running and passing plays and would be a great addition to whatever team selects him.

#4 Mike Sainristil (CB)

Michigan's cornerback Mike Sainristil has been one of the top members of the secondary in this year's draft class. Last year for the Wolverines, he had 44 total tackles with two sacks, two forced fumbles, six pass deflections and six interceptions (two returned for touchdowns).

Sainristil is a little on the shorter side at 5-foot-10 but has proven to be the second-best cornerback behind Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry. Quarterbacks had a 71.8 passer rating when targeting him, and he could move around the field in different positions. Expect him to be called on Day 1 of the draft.

#3 Zak Zinter (OG)

Zak Zinter may fall a bit in the draft due to his lower leg injury in the regular season finale against Ohio State. He is one of the better offensive guards in this year's draft class, as he was a top-40 offensive guard in terms of Pro Football Focus grades in each of the last two seasons.

Expect him to be a Day 2 pick now, but he is one of the most talented Michigan players in the entire draft class.

#2 Roman Wilson (WR)

This 2024 NFL draft is full of incredible wide receiver talents, and that includes Wolverines wide receiver Roman Wilson. He is not being discussed in the top three with Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze, but seems to be the fourth wide out.

Last season, he finished with 48 receptions for 789 yards (16.4 yards per catch) and 12 touchdown grabs. While the numbers don't immediately flash out, remember that this Wolverines program was a run-heavy team.

#1 J.J. McCarthy (QB)

While J.J. McCarthy is not the top overall player from the Michigan Wolverines program, he is the most intriguing prospect due to being a quarterback. He is being talked about as being selected as high as the third pick in the 2024 NFL draft, and he has a huge range of where he could land depending on who you talk to.

McCarthy finished last season going 240 of 332 (72.3%) for 2,991 yards with 22 passing touchdowns and four interceptions. It will be interesting to see what NFL general managers and decision-makers are looking for in a few weeks.

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