Michigan Football: More Wolverines sign as rookie free agents

Michigan football had five players selected in the 2019 NFL draft and a bunch more signed as rookie free agents, here is a look at the latest signings.

The Michigan football program has always been known for churning out NFL talent and that proved to be true once again as five Wolverines were picked during the 2019 NFL draft.

Devin Bush and Rashan Gary went among the first 12 picks to the Steelers and Packers respectively while Chase Winovich (Patriots) and David Long (Rams) each went in the third round. Tight end Zach Gentry, the fourth underclassmen from UM picked, also went to Pittsburgh in round five.

Yet, as we all know, Michigan football has some other talented players that didn’t get drafted and it hasn’t taken long for them to find a home as rookie free agents. Certainly, getting picked in the draft is preferable, especially because of the guaranteed money but it’s not the end if you don’t get drafted.

Karan Higdon, who was the one Michigan football player that was expected to be drafted and wasn’t, went to Houston where he can try to find a spot on the depth chart. Tyree Kinnel, another former starter, signed with the Bengals.

But more news has trickled in and here is a roundup of the rest of Michigan’s rookie free agents as Brandon Watson, Brian Mone, Lawrence Marshall and Juwann Bushell-Beatty have all signed as undrafted free agents.

Watson, a corner, signed with the Jaguars after making three interceptions last season. He was never a starter but could have a chance to contribute on special teams. Another guy that never really was a full-time starter but played quite a bit for Michigan was Brian Mone.

Mone had 38 career tackles, two sacks and six tackles for loss. His best attribute is probably his ability to take on double teams inside. At 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, he has the size to compete to be an NFL nose tackle and run stuffer. Seattle has also been a great place for rookie free agents.

A guy that could have a chance to stick in the NFL is Bushell-Beatty. He took a gigantic step forward as a right tackle in his senior season and if he hadn’t missed the last few games with an injury, it’s possible his stock could have been a little higher.

He’s 6-foot-5 and showed some solid traits in the running game. He will have to play right tackle or maybe even guard, but I bet the Redskins, the team that signed him or another, will at least give him a job as a practice squad guy.

The other Michigan football defender that signed, as of now, was Lawrence Marshall. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound defensive lineman came on some during his senior season and had one sack. He has some pass-rush ability and the Bears will try to develop that.

On another note, former starting quarterback, Wilton Speight, who played for UCLA last season, signed with the 49ers. Grant Perry is another name that could receive some attention or at least get a camp invitation but that’s probably it for Michigan football and the NFL in 2019.