Michigan Football: First round draft picks over the past decade
With the 2018 NFL draft just days away, lets take a look at former Michigan Football players that were selected in the first round over the past decade.
Since the start of Michigan Football, over 50 Wolverines have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Year in and year out, an abundance of former Michigan players compete on Sundays. Last year 11 Wolverines were drafted to an NFL team, setting a new school record. Here’s all the former Wolverines that were drafted in the first round over the past ten years.
OT, Jake Long (2008)
Michigan fans will remember the name Jake Long for the rest of their lives’. He’s the lone player on this list that was selected No.1 overall, and is arguably the best offensive tackle in the history of Michigan Football. Long was selected for the Pro Bowl each of his first four seasons in the NFL. In college he was he was a two-time All-American and won a Big Ten Championship in 2004. After eight strong years in the NFL, Long retired in April of 2017. The Wolverines are still waiting for an offensive lineman that can change the game as much as Long did.
DE, Brandon Graham (2010)
Brandon Graham has been a work horse throughout his career in both college and the NFL. He was a four year player at Michigan, accounting for 29.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss. Graham was so fast at getting into the backfield and delivering punishment. He’s famous in Ann Arbor for his brutal hit on a Michigan State running back during his college days.
Graham is fresh off a Super Bowl Championship with the Philadelphia Eagles. He’s been with the Eagles his entire time in the NFL, recording 38.5 sacks and 15 forced fumbles. Graham will play his eighth season in the NFL this fall.
OL, Taylor Lewan (2014)
Taylor Lewan is right up there with Jake Long in the discussion for best offensive tackles in Michigan Football history. He was a complete plow in college, and now continues that success in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. He was a two-time first team All-American in college and a two-time Pro Bowl selection in the NFL.
S/LB Jabrill Peppers (2017)
Jabrill Peppers was a multi-talented freak at Michigan, lining up at 13 different positions on both offense and defense. He was primarily used as hybrid safety/linebacker in college, but also returned punts and kickoffs. Peppers compiled 86 solo tackles and 18.5 tackles for loss as a Wolverine. He also tallied six touchdowns on offense and/or punt returns. Unfortunately for Peppers, he’s not necessarily thriving in the NFL. It seems like he’s facing a learning curve when it comes to lining up deep in the defensive backfield. Peppers was used to lining up closer to the line of scrimmage in college. It doesn’t help that his Cleveland Browns were the worst team in the NFL last season, failing to win a single game.
DE, Taco Charlton (2017)
Taco Charlton played a crucial role for Michigan’s stellar 2016 defense. In college he accounted for 28 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in 33 games. He’s the perfect example of a player that continued to grow and get better each season. After dominant performances against Ohio State and Florida State, Charlton’s draft stock went thru the roof. His play caught the eye of the Dallas Cowboys, who went on to Draft him No. 28 overall. Like Peppers, Charlton had to adjust to the pace and skill of professional players. He finished his rookie season with three sacks and a forced fumble.
Next: Can the defense continue its success?
We’ll have to see if a Wolverine gets selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft on Thursday. Maurice Hurst is the most likely former Michigan player to get selected in the first round. ESPN will broadcast the draft live at 8 PM on Thursday.