Green Bay's hospitality was echoed throughout the NFL community and was enthusiastic in welcoming the newest Michigan Wolverines to the NFL. Pittsburgh is now on the clock for next spring's extravagant gala.
Team 146 will have a cornucopia of talent to choose from in terms of the NFL draft. Most will be on defense with the No. 1 kicker in America bound to be drafted because of his elite accuracy and leg strength.
Pro Football Focus already has its 2026 big board out, and six Michigan Wolverines are on the list. Only one is on offense, while five come from the defensive side of the ball, but do not include Ernest Hausmann or Zeke Berry. Derrick Moore is the highest-ranked Wolverine who is projected to land in the second round. Rod Moore and T.J. Guy are names that will be discussed more once the draft inches closer. The rotation at defensive tackle could provide some buzz to the situation, too.
There is no mention of Mikey Keene, Donaven McCulley, Marlin Klein, Greg Crippen, or Gio El-Hadi. They're the obvious offensive choices in next year's process. CBS Sports did a mock draft and did not have one Wolverine going in the first round. 2026 could be the first draft since 2018 that a Michigan football player doesn't go in the opening round.
The early No. 1 player on the board is either a Buckeye or a Manning. If you asked me today which Michigan player would join them on Thursday night, I would lean towards Jaishawn Barham or Justice Haynes. Barham was mentioned as the country's best defender in some Michigan circles. As for Haynes, if he can duplicate what Omarion Hampton did under Chip Lindsey, then teams will be clamoring for his services.
In total that's about 20, give or take a few, Wolverines who could have the oppurtunity to be in the conversation to be the involved in the 2026 NFL Draft. That would continue this remarkable run that Jim Harbaugh started and Sherrone Moore is sustaining.