Jim Harbaugh Delivers Another Strong Draft Class

Round 1, Pick 26
Mazi Smith, DL
Dallas Cowboys

The unquestioned leader of the Michigan defense goes late first round to Dallas. Smith possesses the rare combination of size and athleticism with great short-area quickness. A small off-the-field incident in October involving an unlicensed firearm may have moved him down the draft board a bit, but Dallas needed help in stopping the run. They ranked 22^nd last season, allowing just over 129 yards per game. Smith will be a great addition to this defense with the ability to contribute early and often.

The Cowboys selecting Mazi Smith means Michigan has produced a 1st-round pick in five straight drafts — the 9th such selection since Jim Harbaugh took over in Ann Arbor.

— Scott Bell (@sbell021) April 28, 2023

Round 2, Pick 58
Luke Schoonmaker, TE
Dallas Cowboys

Dallas dips into the Michigan football program in back-to-back rounds with the selection of Luke Schoonmaker. Dallas chose not to pick up the option of last season’s starting TE, Dalton Schultz, and they had a desperate need for a top-tier TE. His size and overall talent at the position made him a perfect fit in Dallas. He is an elite run blocker and can be used as a #3 receiver in this offense down the road. HC Mike McCarthy will be calling plays this season with the departure of OC Kellen Moore but expect QB Dak Prescott to rely on Schoonmaker right away as a starting TE and safety net.

Round 2, Pick 60
DJ Turner, CB
Cincinnati Bengals

Turner runs his way into the end of the second round. No, literally, he ran a 4.26 40-yard dash to really get some teams’ attention in Indianapolis. That was the fastest 40 times at the NFL Combine this year. He is a bit undersized but makes up for it with his speed and football smarts. He will join former Michigan teammate and standout safety Dax Hill.

Round 3, Pick 99
Jake Moody, K
San Francisco 49ers

It’s rare to see a kicker go this early in the NFL Draft, regardless of the talent. Moody is not only one of the best kickers we have seen in Ann Arbor, but maybe in college football. In his five years at Michigan, he never missed an extra point and made his kicks at an 82% rate. The year he won the Lou Groza Award in 2021 he made 92% of his kicks. He has incredible leg strength and knows how to kick in the elements. The third round is very early to take a specialist, but it was a position of need for San Francisco, and they were able to get the top kicker in the draft.

Round 5, Pick 151
Mike Morris, EDGE
Seattle Seahawks

Seattle boosts the depth on their interior defensive line. Morris struggled at the NFL Combine to bring his stock back to earth. But as ESPN analyst Louis Riddick mentioned on the broadcast, “He has the physical tools to work with. He just needs to tie it together with more consistency.” We all know Pete Caroll’s obsession with finding great defensive line and edge rushers. Morris is no different, as he will need some time to grow, but the potential is huge.

Round 5, Pick 154
Olsegun Oluwatami, Center
Seattle Seahawks

The 2022 Rimington (Top Center), Outland Award Winner (Top Interior Lineman), and All Big Ten selection lands in Seattle, joining his teammate DL Mike Morris. He allowed ZERO sacks on 389 pass-block snaps this season in Ann Arbor. He has the experience and football IQ as well to be a future starter in this league.

Round 6, Pick 217
Brad Robbins, Punter
Cincinnati Bengals

Another Michigan specialist joins his teammate DJ Turner in the 2023 class in Cincinnati. With the selection of Moody and Robbins, Michigan becomes the first team in 40 years to have both the kicker and punter drafted in the same draft. Robbins finished 2^nd in all-time Michigan history in career punting average with a 42-yard avg per punt.

Round 7, Pick 238
Ryan Hayes, OT
Miami Dolphins

The two-year starter at left tackle in Ann Arbor landed in Miami with their 7th-round selection. Hayes is a bit undersized for the LT position in the NFL and lacks the athleticism of a typical left tackle. He has great technique and never gives up on the play. He can be a depth piece and potentially a spot-starter down the road with proper coaching.

Round 7, Pick 253
Ronnie Bell
San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco pads their WR room by selecting Michigan star WR Ronnie Bell. He missed the 2021 season after tearing his ACL in the first game of the 2021 season. He returned in 2022 to lead the team in receiving with 62 catches for 889 yards and 4 TDs. He was also named to the 3^rd Team All-Big Ten this past season. Bell will join Ray-Ray McCloud as a returner on special teams and can pick up the slack when there is an injury in the WR room.

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