Early mock draft surprises with Michigan football CB Jyaire Hill in first round
Early mock draft surprises with Michigan football CB Jyaire Hill in first round
As draftniks turn their attention from 2025 to 2026, many are seeking to make sense of the college football landscape, wondering who will be the first-rounders next April. Though most don't list a Michigan football player in the first 32, that's most — not all.
Bleacher Report has long been in the mock draft game, and as it turns out, in its too-early prediction, a surprising Wolverine made the cut, going in the middle of the first round.
15. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jyaire Hill, Michigan
While the Cowboys spent a third-round pick on Shavon Revel Jr. over the weekend, the defense could still use further help at cornerback.
Trevon Diggs missed the majority of 2023 with a torn ACL and reinjured the same knee this past season. DaRon Bland also dealt with injuries in 2024 and is about to enter a contract year. On top of that, the defense needs someone to cover the slot after Jourdan Lewis left for Jacksonville during free agency.
Michigan's Jyaire Hill gives Dallas a corner who has experience on the outside and could lineup at nickel, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
"Has explosive movement skills and the fluid athleticism and change-of-direction ability to come down and cover slot receivers," Draft Buzz said of its No. 1 corner heading into the summer.
This would be surprising given we haven't seen Hill consistently play great as of yet — he's done well in certain games, but has also fallen apart in others.
Perhaps also surprising is that there are a handful of other players who could have made the cut: like EDGE Derrick Moore, DT Rayshaun Benny, or either of the starting linebackers.
It also wouldn't be surprising to see either WR Donaven McCulley (with a solid year) or RB Justice Haynes find themselves in a similar position.
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