Projecting Michigan Football’s wide receiver depth chart

Slot receiver

1. Ronnie Bell or AJ Henning
2. Mike Sainristil
3. Roman Wilson

Bell has traditionally lined up in the slot during his Michigan career and that should continue in certain formations. If the Wolverines want to spread the field with 3 or 4 WRs and have Johnson and Baldwin on the field at the same time, Bell will line up in the slot.

If the Wolverines want to get one of their speedy slot receivers on the field,  Bell will line up on the perimeter. Either way, Bell will be a big part of the Wolverines passing attack. If he repeats his pace from 2020, he will contend for All-Big Ten honors.

It may be surprising to some that I have Henning ahead of Sainristil. Entering fall camp, Sainristil is likely ahead in this race given this is his third year in the system compared to two for Henning and after he drew positive reviews during spring ball.

However, this is not the first time that Sainristil has generated buzz during the spring, and to this point, he has 15 catches for 227 and 3 TDs through his first two years. Last year, Sainristil struggled with drops at times. With young receivers like Henning and Wilson pushing for playing time, Sainristil will lose snaps if that continues in 2021.

However, projecting Henning ahead of Sainristil is more to do with Henning. I think Henning will be a breakout player for the Wolverines if they are able to get the ball in his hands more often. He showed a glimpse of his game-breaking potential with his spectacular catch against Penn State.

Henning’s versatility will allow offensive coordinator Josh Gattis to use him in many different ways. He can line up in the backfield, take jet sweeps out of the slot, turn short passes into long gains, or win on vertical routes out of the slot. I think over the course of the season, Henning will beat out Sainristil for snaps out of the slot.