NFL Draft roundup
The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and there are plenty of Wolverines who are eagerly awaiting to see whether they will be selected in rounds one through seven.
The Draft begins in primetime this Thursday (8 p.m.) and continues through Saturday.
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Quarterback-turned-wide-receiver Denard Robinson is pegged as the probable high-pick among the crop of Michigan players this year, but there are plenty more Wolverines who are vying for a selection.
Here's what the Draft experts are saying:
*Note: Several Michigan's NFL Draft prospects have been assigned a Draft Rating by NFL.com, which projects where a prospect is likely to be taken.
Here's a quick breakdown of what those scores mean:
96-100, Top Pick: "A once-in-a-generation type prospect who could change how his position is played."
85-95, 1st Round: "An impact player with the ability/intangibles to become a Pro Bowl player."
70-84, 2nd-3rd Round: "A quality player who will contribute to the team early on and is expected to develop into a starter."
50-69, 4th-7th Round: "A prospect with the ability to make the team as a backup/role player. Needs to be a special teams contributor."
20-49, Free Agent: "A player with solid measurable, intangibles, college achievements that warrants an opportunity in an NFL camp."
You'll see each player's NFL.com Draft Score in his respective section below.
Ricky Barnum
Offensive Guard - 6-1 - 297
NFL.com Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 80 offensive guard (borderline draft prospect)
DraftInsider.com analysis: "Underrated and explosive zone-blocking prospect who is effective in motion. Fires off the snap into blocks and always looks for someone to hit. Stays square, plays with good pad level and gets leverage on opponents. Effectively uses body positioning to seal opponents from the action. Quick when asked to pull across the line scrimmage and keeps his feet moving. Blocks with a nasty attitude and works well with teammates."
William Campbell
Defensive Tackle - 6-4 - 311
NFL.com Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 28 defensive tackle (borderline draft prospect)
CBS.com analysis: " Built like an oak door, but too often that door is blown open as he struggles to anchor off the snap. Doesn't appear to understand arm and hand technique, struggling to disengage blocks. Needs to improve his timing and motor; doesn't appear to always play with a full tank."
NFL.com Pro Day Analyst Gil Brandt: "There is a feeling that he might be a better offensive line prospect than defensive lineman in the NFL."
Kenny Demens
Inside Linebacker - 6-1 - 242
NFL.com Draft Score: 58.1
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 20 ILB (borderline draft prospect)
NFL.com analysis: "Though by no means a dominant linebacker, Demens' athleticism and the toughness of which he learned to take advantage playing for famous Detroit Country Day High School has paid off on special teams and in the middle for the Wolverines. NFL teams looking for a solid inside linebacker with the movement to handle some coverage responsibilities and contribute on coverage units could snap him up in the middle rounds of the 2013 draft."
ESPN.com analysis: "Flashes the ability to deliver the big hit but misses too many tackles. Wraps too high and slips off would-be tackles. Struggles in space. Not a quick-twitch athlete and fails to break down. Leaves feet prematurely and whiffs a little too much."
J.T. Floyd
Cornerback - 6-0 - 185
NFL.com Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 52 cornerback (borderline draft prospect)
CBS.com analysis: "Listed at 6-0 and 185 pounds, he has a tall, lanky frame with good length to get his hands on receivers and make plays on the ball (13 career pass break-ups). Floyd has a physical demeanor for the position and doesn't shy from attacking the run, but needs to show better bend and stay close to the ground in his drops in order to quickly redirect his momentum."
Brandin Hawthorne
Outside Linebacker - 5-11 - 220
NFL.com Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 108 outside linebacker
Jordan Kovacs
Strong Safety - 5-10 - 205
NFL.com Draft Score: 57.9
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 31 strong safety (borderline draft prospect)
NFL.com analysis: "Though his athleticism might not be elite and his knee issues might check a red flag, don't count him out as a Saturday draft pick who will contribute on defense and special teams early on."
NFL.com Pro Day Analyst Gil Brandt: " Kovacs is a good rookie free agent possibility."
CBS.com analysis: He might be a liability in man coverage, but his approach to the game and overachieving attitude will find him a home at the next level. Kovacs might not be a top-100 pick next April, but he is at-worst a special teams stud who probably will exceed expectations, the same way he has done in Ann Arbor."
Patrick Omameh
Offensive Guard - 6-4 - 303
NFL.com Draft Score: 66.8
ESPN.com position rank: No. 28 offensive guard (borderline draft prospect)
NFL.com analysis: Omameh has an athletic build and possesses excellent flexibility for his size, but is also impressive moving his man out of the running lane. His intelligence and growing frame make him a solid mid-round choice and should land him a spot on an NFL offensive line sooner, rather than later."
NFL.com Pro Day Analyst Gil Brandt: "Teams will take a closer look at this player, and he could wind up being a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick."
Elliott Mealer
Offensive Guard - 6-4 - 319
NFL.com Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 35 offensive guard (borderline draft prospect)
OptimumScouting.com NFLPA Collegiate Bowl analysis: "Mealer was a bit frustrating because he looked like a guy who was the best lineman there for a string of plays and then he'd be completely beat inside on the next. He was one of the stronger guys there but he struggled mightily in space at times and doesn't have the foot speed to slide against speed. His best position may be at guard."
Brandon Moore
Tight End - 6-5 - 268
NFL.com Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 66 tight end (borderline draft prospect)
Denard Robinson
Wide Receiver - 5-10 - 199
NFL.com Draft Score: 70.3
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 22 wide receiver (adequate prospect)
NFL.com Pro Day Analyst Gil Brandt: His best NFL position might be running back - even if he worked out at receiver at the combine and played quarterback while at Michigan - as he can really make things happen when the ball is in his hands.
"It will be a coach's choice in the NFL for where Robinson ultimately lines up. Whichever team Robinson winds up with him will need to have a plan in mind."
ESPN.com analysis: "Has foot speed to develop effective release and builds speed quickly. Fast enough to run under deep ball and take the top off the coverage. Dangerous after the catch. Quick-twitch athlete that can shake multiple defenders and is tough to corral in space. While inexperienced has the potential to develop into a big-play threat in the return game."
Craig Roh
Defensive End - 6-5 - 281
NFL.com Draft Score: 59.9
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 32 defensive end (borderline draft prospect)
NFL.com analysis: "While Roh never established himself as an elite playmaker, this is something to be said for starting 51 consecutive football games. Throughout his career, Roh has grown from a 250-pound linebacker to 280-pound end. Roh is physical, smart, and works hard. While he lacks elite athletic ability or an explosive element, if he continues to add weight, he can stick on rosters as a 3-4 defensive end (five-technique)."
ESPN.com analysis: "Flashes speed-to-power move. Active hands and flashes the ability to counter punch when he doesn't win with first move. Average balance and flashes effective spin move. Gets hands up in passing windows. However, marginal speed and athleticism. Doesn't turn the corner well. Initial quickness, bend and closing burst are all below average. Flashes the ability to run through backs but not a powerful bull rusher that can walk offensive tackles back to the quarterback. Straight-lined and has some problems finishing when gets to the quarterback."
Roy Roundtree
Wide Receiver - 6-0 - 177
NFL.com Draft Score: 58.5
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 53 wide receiver (borderline draft prospect)
NFL.com analysis: "Roundtree's speed and elusiveness gives him a chance to be a strong contributor in the NFL - as does the work ethic and determination he's showed working through a learning disability throughout his scholastic career to earn a college degree."
ESPN.com analysis: "Doesn't run as well as timed speed on film and doesn't have great size for a vertical threat but fast enough to stretch the field. Gets off the line well. Uses quick feet and active hands to slip defenders at the line of scrimmage. Adequate double moves though there is room for improvement. While doesn't have great wiggle flashes the ability to make first defender miss and fast enough to produce after the catch."
Vincent Smith
Running Back - 5-6 - 172
NFL Draft Score: None
ESPN.com Position Rank: No. 58 running back (borderline draft prospect)
TommeltonScouting.com analysis: "I'm not sure he will ever be the feature back for Michigan or anyone else, but he's got talent and players that can make guys miss are always a commodity in college or in the NFL."
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