Michigan's first-round NFL Draft streak is in jeopardy in 2026. Who could keep it alive?

New York Times

07-05-2025

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The 2018 NFL Draft was a quiet one for Michigan. The Wolverines had two players selected, center Mason Cole in the third round and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst in the fifth. Though those players have had solid NFL careers, the 2018 draft class is notable mostly for what's happened since then.
Michigan has produced a first-round pick in seven consecutive drafts, the second-longest streak in the Big Ten behind Ohio State's 10-year run. The streak includes Aidan Hutchinson (No. 2 to the Lions in 2022), J.J. McCarthy (No. 10 to the Vikings in 2024) and a trio of players drafted in the top 13 picks of last month's draft.
Looking ahead to 2026, Michigan's streak of first-round picks could be in jeopardy. The Wolverines didn't have a player on Dane Brugler's initial first-round watch list and will need a breakout season from one of their veterans to keep the first-round streak intact. Here's a look at the top contenders and other players to watch for next year's draft. Edge Derrick Moore
Moore could have joined Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant and Will Johnson in the 2025 draft, which would have given Michigan five picks from its 2022 recruiting class. If Michigan extends its streak of first-round picks in 2026, his decision to return as a senior could be the reason.
Moore has been an underrated part of Michigan's defensive success the past three years. Josaiah Stewart, a third-round pick of the Rams, had more sack production on the edge, but Moore equaled Stewart with 37 quarterback pressures and had Michigan's second-highest win rate last season, according to Pro Football Focus. Even if he's not the most explosive pass rusher in his class, Moore is an above-average run defender and a consistent presence on the edge who can play in a variety of schemes. He doesn't have a lot of weaknesses and can raise his stock by showing a deeper repertoire of pass-rush tools as a senior. DT Rayshaun Benny
Instead of asking Benny to fill the shoes of Graham or Grant, maybe we should be asking if he's the next Mazi Smith. Smith was a late-bloomer who was picked in the first round by the Cowboys because he was an immovable object in the middle of Michigan's defensive line. Benny may not have the traits that landed Smith at the top of Bruce Feldman's Freaks List, but he's already shown himself to be a more disruptive pass rusher.
Benny, a fifth-year graduate student, has played on some deep defensive lines. Most of the players who were ahead of him are in the NFL. Though he's started only two games in his career, he's shown enough as a rotational player to put himself on the NFL radar. He could be one of the climbers in this draft class if he makes the most of his opportunity as a starter. LB Jaishawn Barham
Barham could get drafted on traits alone, as he's one of the most physically gifted players on Michigan's roster. The question is whether he'll give teams more reasons to pick him in 2025.
The Maryland transfer is a run-and-hit linebacker who destroys blocks and punishes ball carriers when he has a chance. He showed his potential last season but also showed room for growth in his ability to diagnose plays and get himself in the right position. Another year in Wink Martindale's defense should help, as Barham will be more familiar with the scheme and Michigan will be more familiar with what he can do. Giving him more opportunities to rush the quarterback should help Barham's stock and help Michigan's defense, too. He could be a Day 2 pick if he can put everything together. S Rod Moore
Moore would have been one of the top safety prospects in his class if he'd been healthy in 2024. Instead, he missed the season after injuring his knee in the spring and still hasn't returned to the field after undergoing a second clean-up procedure. Injury concerns could impact his draft stock, and Moore will have to show that he's back to his old form. If he can do that, all of the things scouts liked about him before still should apply.
Moore is a sure tackler who's rarely out of position, and every defensive coordinator he's had at Michigan has raved about his football IQ. It remains to be seen when he'll be cleared for full contact, though Michigan's coaches have expressed optimism that he'll be ready for preseason camp. It may take him some time to knock off the rust after not playing football for more than a year. With average size for his position, Moore will have to show he's regained the quickness and fluidity he had before his injury. Edge TJ Guy
Guy signed with Michigan as a three-star recruit and didn't play a lot his first three years on campus. After a breakout spring in 2024, he emerged as a rotational player last year and heads into his fifth year as one of Michigan's leaders on defense.
Guy's explosiveness pops when you watch him rush the quarterback. He had 5.5 sacks and 25 pressures last season and had no problems revving up his motor while sharing snaps with Stewart and Derrick Moore. He can help his stock in 2025 by proving he's an every-down player who can maintain a high level of intensity with a heavier workload. OL Giovanni El-Hadi
Despite being a fourth-year player, El-Hadi hadn't played many snaps when he stepped into the starting lineup last year at right guard. The inexperience showed at times, but El-Hadi improved throughout the season and came back for a fifth year with a shot to solidify himself as a draft pick.
El-Hadi has natural strength and body control that made him a top-100 prospect in high school. He's shown the ability to anchor in pass protection and get to the second level as a run blocker, though he can be more dominant at the point of attack and more consistent as a puller. El-Hadi attributed some of last year's inconsistency to his move to right guard, which required him to learn new footwork and angles. With a move back to left guard and a year of starting experience under his belt, El-Hadi should be playing his best football this season. LB Ernest Hausmann
Hausmann wears the green dot for Michigan's defense, which means he's responsible for relaying the defensive calls and getting everyone in the right position. NFL teams will be drawn to his leadership traits, his character and his ability to diagnose plays and chase down ball carriers in the open field.
Hausmann led Michigan with 89 tackles last season in his first year as a full-time starter. He can improve at maintaining his balance and finishing plays, and teams will be looking for consistency when he drops back in coverage. He might not have the highest ceiling of any linebacker prospect in the class, but he has traits that will translate at the next level and a competitive makeup that will serve him well. Together, he and Barham can form one of the top linebacker duos in college football. DB Zeke Berry
Berry made seven starts at nickel last season before moving outside to cornerback for the final five games. The versatility to play multiple positions should expand his value for NFL teams. He doesn't have prototypical size or length for an NFL cornerback at 5 feet 11, but he has track speed and showed a knack for making plays on the ball with a team-best 11 pass breakups and two interceptions.
After showing promise in a small sample at cornerback last year, Berry will have a full season to build up his body of work. If he plays well, he'll have a choice to enter the draft or stay for a fifth season in college. K Dominic Zvada
Zvada might be an even better kicking prospect than Jake Moody, a third-round pick of the 49ers in 2023. He was 21-for-22 on field goal attempts last season with seven makes from 50-plus, a Michigan career record. His kicks aren't sneaking through the uprights, either. With accuracy and range that extends to 55-plus, Zvada should be one of the top kickers in college football and will have a shot to hear his name called in next year's draft.
Others to watch: DT Tré Williams, DT Damon Payne, RB Justice Haynes, WR Donaven McCulley, TE Marlin Klein, C Greg Crippen
(Photo: Douglas P. DeFelice / Getty Images)