NFL Draft notes on Brandon Graham, Brandon Minor, Obi Ezeh
Michigan didn't have a player taken on the first day of the NFL draft last year for just the second time this decade, but defensive end Brandon Graham continues to solidify his status as a likely high-round pick.
Graham, who leads the Big Ten with 10 1/2 tackles for loss in league games, is rated the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.
After a dominant game against Penn State, the Web site compared Graham to former Northern Illinois star Larry English, who went 16th overall last year to San Diego."Because he'll likely measure in at under 6-1 at the Senior Bowl and Combine, 3-4 teams are most likely to value him as a mid-first-round pick," the Web site said.
Running back Brandon Minor won't go as high as Graham come April - he'll undoubtedly be knocked by scouts for his injury history - but SportsIllustrated.com draft analyst Tony Pauline listed Minor among his draft risers two-thirds of the way through the college season.
Pauline writes that Minor has impressed scouts as "a hard running, interior ball carrier that continually displays the ability to pick up the tough yardage when necessary." Minor is day to day with a heel injury and has been nagged by a high ankle sprain all year.
Middle linebacker Obi Ezeh has another year of college eligibility, but that hasn't stopped some draftniks from discussing his future. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper rates Ezeh No. 4 among junior inside linebackers, one spot behind impressive Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones, while The National Football Post called Ezeh "a limited Wolverine."
NFP's Wes Bunting wrote that Ezeh projects as a two-down linebacker in the NFL similar to former Wolverine David Harris, now with the New York Jets.
"Ezeh lacks ideal fluidly in space and struggles when asked to turn and run with tight ends down the field," Bunting wrote. "He was brutally beaten by PSU tight end Andrew Quarless on a 60-yard touchdown pass and lacks the athleticism to stay with NFL-caliber tight ends in the pass game."
Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.
Comments
EchoWhiskey
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 2:07 p.m.
errr... "wouldn't", not "would"
EchoWhiskey
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 12:59 p.m.
Jeremy, I would really regard Jackson, Hall or Trent as busts. Obviously they were good to great players at Michigan. In the NFL, Jackson has been a perennial starter at DB and S for one of the league's best defenses. Hall starts for the Bengals and Trent is his backup as a rookie. They aren't superstars, but that's impressive nonetheless.
jeremy
Thu, Oct 29, 2009 : 11:02 a.m.
dzuck, we were saying the same thing last year about the d having to make dramatic improvements this year. They cant stop anybody out side of bottom feeding mac schools and some lower tier fcs school. Warren needs to go get his money. Nfl scouts are loving his one on one ability. He is far better than marlin jackson (bust), leon hall (bust), and morgan trent (bust). He will be a first day, 2nd round pick. Ezeh needs to leave just for the sake of not embarrassing the university on the field anymore
Allin4michigan
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 3:55 p.m.
The only thing Obi Ezeh has in common with David Harris is the uniform number. Harris made a lot of tackles behind the line of scrimmage and also delivered some HUGE hits. Ezeh, makes the majority of his tackles 6 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage.
81wolverine
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 1:39 p.m.
Donovan Warren might do OK in the NFL, but I don't see him as a first round pick. He's improved this year for sure. He seemed to struggle much of last year, but some person said he was battling some injury issue much of the year. But, I think he needs another year at Michigan for sure. I'd like to see him play closer up on defenders too. He has good athletic ability, and he should take advantage of it.
Dave Birkett
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 1:14 p.m.
Warren is rated the No. 2 junior cornerback by Kiper, ahead of two guys that surprised me, Iowa's Amari Spievey and Alabama's Kareem Jackson (and behind Florida's Joe Haden). I was just linking up the most recent thoughts on some of Michigan's prospects. Hadn't come across anything on Warren recently, but he's definitely one to keep an eye on. I don't think he's ready, but it's not a great year for CBs, either.
Mich
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 1:12 p.m.
Steve Brown at Linebacker is to small I think we need to have a real 3 4 Defense & B.g. can Play Outside linebacker like he will do in the Pros aka Lamar Woodley. We Keep putting this Small Defense Out there & Teams are will Keep Looking good on us
Man in the Mirror
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 1:01 p.m.
What about Donavan Warren's chances for an early out to the NFL? He maybe considering. Just a thought.
bigfella
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 12:05 p.m.
they have left out the almighty ZOLTAN...and i agree with jeremy, obi please go pro and even mentioning he and dave harris in the same sentence is absolutely absurd...
Detroitrocks
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 12:02 p.m.
Graham is a beast. Imaging how bad this defense would have been without him. Wait.... that's the preview for next year! Good thing both of our stud running backs are returning! What? They are leaving too? Suddenly next year is not looking so good....
81wolverine
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 11:18 a.m.
Graham has been having a great year for U-M so far - the only player who has. I think he'll do really well in the pros depending on where he goes and how they use him. Minor is a 1,000 yard caliber college back, no question. But, the nagging injuries are his downfall I'm afraid. In the NFL, injury prone players don't last long. Ezeh is the #4 rated junior inside LB? Kiper MUST be kidding! Michigan's linebacking has been terrible this season, and Obi has to take his share of the blame. Reality is, he hasn't improved at all from last year. Plus, he doesn't have the speed and toughness necessary to do well in the NFL. David Harris was light years ahead of Obi by this time in his career. They shouldn't even be compared in the same sentence. No offense Obi, but I have to agree with the National Football Post's assessment.
jeremy
Wed, Oct 28, 2009 : 10:41 a.m.
Ezeh should go pro just to end our suffering of watching him play. This just shows me that kiper is losing touch with reality. BG will have a great career and not be a bust like gohlston. When was the last time that offense without a good defense won a championship all-knowing theo?