The Wolverine

June-July 2021

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1371232

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 47 of 67

48 THE WOLVERINE JUNE/JULY 2021 Perfect Fit FB Ben Mason, Baltimore Ravens This one is a no-brainer, with Mason expected to blend seamlessly into the hard-nosed playing style that Jim Har- baugh's brother, John, has built in Baltimore. "Ben is [parents] Jack and Jackie Harbaugh's favorite player," John Harbaugh said. "I think it's pretty easy for anybody who watches us play to see how he's going to fit into our offense." John Harbaugh's expertise with fullbacks has been on full dis- play in recent years, especially with Patrick Ricard. The 26-year- old bruiser has played 1,075 offensive snaps since his addition to the club in 2017, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2019 and 2020. NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager said he expects Mason to follow in those same footsteps, and noted the Ravens "made a statement" with their fifth-round selection. "Baltimore understands some people think the [offensive co- ordinator] Greg Roman offense has seen its best days and that it's time to move on, but the Ravens doubled down with this pick and took another tight end/fullback who will smash you in the face," he said. "I like it when the Ravens go out and don't use their words to tell you what they're about. In a [Kansas City Chiefs quarter- back Patrick] Mahomes-ian world where everyone has [small wideouts like the Chiefs'] Tyreek Hill and [Los Angeles Rams second-round pick] Tutu Atwell at 145 pounds, they're drafting Ben Mason, who will make an immediate impact." Biggest Steal WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans The Texans showed how badly they wanted Collins by the move they made to get him. They traded their fourth- round picks in both 2021 and 2022 and their fifth-round selection this year to Carolina to move up and grab the wide- out with the 89th overall pick. Collins has the body type (6-4, 215) and the sure hands to succeed at a high level in the NFL, dropping just four passes (according to Pro Football Focus) during his three years in a winged helmet. "In a draft with a lot of speed, he's one of the few power forwards," NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah explained. "You can throw him 50-50 balls down the field, and he's able to box out defenders on back-shoulder throws. The passes don't always have to be on target, because he has a great ability to adjust. "Collins uses that big body to shield off defenders and can go get the ball in the red zone, high point it and make the play." Even though the third or fourth round was generally where most experts thought Collins would come off the board, Hous- ton's selection was nevertheless still met with significant praise. NFL Network's Charles Davis pegged the move as a "must" for the organization, because the rest of the Texans' receivers are "Smurfs compared to Collins." "I remember walking down on the field for warm-ups at Michigan, and he's one of those guys who walks by and makes you go, 'Wow,'" FOX college football analyst Joel Klatt exclaimed. "He's very big and still runs 4.4 [seconds in the 40-yard dash] — it's so impressive." Drafted Higher Than Expected CB Ambry Thomas, San Francisco 49ers The majority of mock drafts heading into the annual event had Thomas coming off the board anywhere from the fourth to sixth round, with his third-round selection catching most off guard. The Detroit native was a bit of an unknown before the draft, considering he started on defense only one year at Michigan (2019) and sat out his 2020 senior campaign. Thomas was a lockdown defender during his lone year as a starter, though, helping anchor a Wolverine secondary that finished 10th nationally against the pass. Jeremiah said the uncertainty surrounding Thomas makes him an "interesting player" after San Francisco chose him. Even though the 49ers perhaps went out on a limb by drafting him that high, the pick generally received praise from analysts. "He can get on his horse and go, and has coverage skills that are special — he just needs to be able to put it all together," ESPN's Louis Riddick opined. "Thomas has the speed to keep with a deep vertical route and finish. He also has return skills and breakaway speed — if you get him out in the open field, he can take it the distance and to the house. "This is a good developmental pick by San Francisco, because they need more play-making defensive backs." Potential Position Change OL Jalen Mayfield, Atlanta Falcons Even though Mayfield played right tackle in all 15 of the games he started at Michigan, there has been plenty of talk of him potentially moving to the left side or even the interior in the NFL. The Grand Rapids, Mich., native said he prides himself on the versatility he possesses and told the Falcons he'd be "confident playing any of the five positions up front," and will be able to "adapt to anything thrown his way." Television analysts discussed what his potential future at guard would look like more than they did at tackle, with Jeremiah calling a move inside "more than likely." ESPN's Booger McFarland also thought Mayfield would be better suited for the interior with the Falcons, due to "a lack of foot speed on the outside being an issue." "Atlanta could use his overall girth if they move him inside, especially in the run game," McFarland forecasted. Competing at somewhere other than tackle would not be entirely foreign to Mayfield, who played multiple positions at Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School. "I'm coming in with an open mindset and am ready to go at any spot," he said. "I've been practicing a left-handed stance [to potentially play left tackle] lately to get a refresher on that, in case that's where they wind up putting me. The quicker you can do something, the quicker you can get on the field." — Austin Fox Jalen Mayfield, a third-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons, played right tackle at U-M but has the versatility to slide inside or move to left tackle. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY Michigan Draft Superlatives

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Wolverine - June-July 2021