Three Pack of NFL Prospects- Michigan Wolverines

The 2024 college football season is right around the corner, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of Michigan players who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

TE   Colston Loveland, Michigan

• 6-foot-5  242 lbs
• 2023 stats: 45 receptions 649 yards  4 touchdowns

What to like about Colston Loveland

Colston Loveland has started 17 of his 29 career games at Michigan and in that time has played all over: in line, in the slot, out wide, and has even started out in the backfield in pistol formations. His versatility has been used to cause major mismatches that the Wolverines have taken advantage of. He runs smooth routes and is able to separate from defenders fairly quickly. He changes direction well and he keeps himself moving to find open space, becoming a target when the quarterback is scrambling. 

Loveland has a wide catch radius and strong hands to snare passes that are thrown either behind him or out front. He excels in getting as much as he can after the catch. He is a physical tight end who can run over defenders but also displays an explosive burst that he uses to separate himself from the pack after making a catch.

Reason for concern

Loveland needs to add mass on his 6-foot-5 frame. When blocking his play strength is behind some of the other prospects in effectiveness. Some of his struggles on the line are because he plays too upright when exploding off the ball and loses his leverage. When he is lined up on the line, he has struggled to get past the press coverage, especially against larger and more aggressive defenders.

Draft Projection

First or Second round pick

Cornerback  Will Johnson, Michigan

• 6-foot-2  200 lbs
• 2023 stats: 27 tackles  4 interception  1 touchdown

What to like about Will Johnson

What makes Will Johnson so dominant is his combination of size, speed and physicality. Johnson can be left out on an island against the other team's No. 1 receiver and take them totally out of the game. He has exceptional instincts and closing speed that he uses to get in the way of patterns and break passes up. Johnson does a solid job of always having his arms extended to take away the passing lanes.

What brings Johnson's game all-together is his picture perfect mechanics and footwork. He transitions beautifully from a back pedal to opening up his hips. He is a playmaker who has strong ball skills and has wide receiver type hands that can haul in passes.

Reason for concern

Johnson struggles with press coverage and maintaining his balance. He tends to give up his inside leverage and loses his footwork when trying to get physical at the line.

Johnson can be overly aggressive at times and will take some unnecessary penalties when he feels threatened on a route, sometimes right. His aggressiveness can also come into play on double moves and he will drive on pump fakes when trying to make a big play. 

Draft Projection

First round pick

RB  Donovan Edwards, Michigan

• 6-foot-1  210 lbs
• 2023 stats: 497 yards   5 touchdowns

What to like about Donovan Edwards

Donovan Edwards did a wonderful job for Michigan when Blake Corum went down with an injury. He has good vision and cut back ability, helping him to make big plays out of nothing. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and runs hard with a strong burst. He is an elite athlete who excels in open space and a willing blocker, one the Wolverines trust to protect their quarterback from blitzes. Edwards has gotten better at being patient and waiting for blocks to develop before he hits the hole, leading to more yardage gained per carry. It will be interesting to see what he does in 2024 as the team's main back.

Reason for concern

On the downside he lacks home run speed to break the big one at the NFL level, though his burst will get him some nice runs. He is more of an outside runner than a between the tackles back. He has been a benefactor of a great offensive line play and does not make guys miss with elusiveness.

Draft Projection

Fourth-round pick