Well we've been over the possible first round draft picks coming out of Michigan this year, but that's not the half of it. Michigan has four other players representing the Maize and Blue in the NFL Combine.
When will they be drafted? What can they do to improve their stock? Let's take a look..
Shawn Crable, LB
Crable is a good linebacker that has been told he could potentially play DE in the NFL. He did line up at DE a few times while he was at Michigan, and while he wasn't fantastic, he showed that he can pick up the position at the next level.
In a dense class in terms of the defensive line as well as the linebacker positions, however, he isn't exactly a standout. There are plenty of linebackers ahead of him, and quite a few DE's as well. So while he might have a good amount of talent, and will probably end up a starter in the NFL, he won't be a first round draft pick.
Projection: Mid-Late Second Round
Jamar Adams
Jamar Adams is also an odd case. If he is drafted to a team that allows him to do what he can do in the box, he will flourish and be a good NFL player with a decently long career. If he's forced into a system where he has to drop back and play coverage, he's not going to last long at all.
He would be a solid pick up, however, for those teams that are looking for a good safety to play up in coverage or to stop the run in the box. He doesn't have the speed or the coverage skills to make it as a coverage safety in the NFL, however.
Projection: Third Round
Adrian Arrington
Adrian Arrington is perhaps the most unpredictable of all of the Michigan players that are participating in the Combine this year. He has the talent to go in the early second round, absolutely. He doesn't have the exposure or the name recognition, on the other hand, to go any sooner than the middle of the third round.
Arrington went off during the Capital One bowl, and the one handed, circus sideline catch that set up the winning score, as well as the behind the back catch in the first quarter, as well as the diving touchdown catch that wasn't (both of which can be found in these highlights) might have gone to his head, because he left a year early.
Sure he has the talent, but he really only had one season of prominence at Michigan, whereas Manningham has been turning heads since his freshman year. But would another year in a brand new offense (with a brand new quarterback who is still to be determined)? This one's a tough call.
Arrington hurt himself and was unable to show the scouts what he's capable of today, but should be in good shape for Pro Day in Ann Arbor in March.
Projection: Great Pro Day Showing- Early Third Round, "Meh" Pro Day Showing- Early Fourth Round
Mike Hart
Everyone knows how good Mike Hart is. Everyone knows that a team would be better off drafting him, even if he wouldn't ever see the field, just because of his presence. He lift's the team's spirits, he has more heart than any player I've ever seen play the game of football, and he's not a half bad football player, either.
So why isn't he in the talks for a multi-year, $10 million NFL contract next year? A multitude of reasons. He's small (5'9, 200lbs), and he's not too quick, either (he ran a 4.67 forty today). He can move piles a few yards, sure, but in the NFL he won't be an every down, starting back. He just won't.
He'll be a solid back-up for sure, but teams don't use their early draft picks on players that they're planning on being back-ups in the future. He'll be a presence in the NFL for years, but he'll never be a Larry Johnson or Shaun Alexander.
Projection: Late Third Round
Look for a combine wrap-up soon. Thanks for reading.
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