The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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4 THE WOLVERINE ❱ AUGUST 2024 WHICH MICHIGAN ROOKIE WILL HAVE THE BEST SEASON IN THE NFL THIS YEAR? I think Junior Colson [Los Angeles Chargers] will have a very strong season. Wanted to pick Blake [Corum, Los Angeles Rams] but he won't be the starter — although I think he'll get some run ... I don't think he will have a ton of production, respectively speaking. Obviously everyone wants J.J. [McCarthy] to be the man in Minnesota, but it might be half of the season before he is starting, it's hard to say. Is there anybody else you think is going to blow up as a rookie and have a monster year? Barks4Blue Roman [Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers]. Krs919 Kris Jenkins [Cincinnati Bengals] will get run, too. Sree Gotta go with our favorite No. 0! Mikey [Sainris- til, Washington Commanders]!! Hobart48 Sainristil might be the most NFL-ready player in the draft. Not necessarily from a skill or athleticism standpoint, though he ranks high in both catego- ries, but because of how he prepares off the field and how it translates on the field. He was basically a defensive coordinator on the field last year. Pickles24 I think Roman's game could translate right away. Slot receiver could be a consistent target in that offense, too, with how I imagine they'll run it with those QBs. Same reason why Roman worked so well here, frankly. My sleeper pick would be AJ Barner [Seattle Seahawks], but so much of that depends on how much he can get on the field. But I think he's ex- tremely underrated and sets up well for the NFL: nice pass catcher, plus blocker, good enough route runner. NotTom I don't know how much Barner will contribute this year, but he seems like that guy that quietly has an 11-year career as a consistent TE. Kind of dude you don't draft on your fantasy team but you're PUMPED when he's actually on your local team's roster. Aertle94 Zak Zinter [Cleveland Browns] is in an interest- ing position behind Joel Bitonio. My guess is that, if Zak is fully recovered he could end up starting quickly. Bitonio is probably the best guard and the best backup OT on the team. If Bitonio is hurt, Zak goes in. If either OT is hurt and Bitonio slides over, Zak is in. I think he will get snaps and, if healthy, he should be very effective. Martyk Mikey and Roman. I think Junior will have a good/solid season. But I think Mikey and Roman could have some dynamic moments. Verionk If J.J. is starting by Week 6, it will be him — 10 to 11 weeks of a QB is more important to a team than 17 weeks of a LB. Unkel Ricoh August 2024 • Vol. 36, No. 2 ISSN 1048-9940 TheWolverine.com Senior Editor Chris Balas Senior Writer John Borton Staff Writers Clayton Sayfie Anthony Broome EJ Holland Zach Libby Drew Hallett Contributing Editors Stu Coman Matt Herb Cathy Jones Chris Riffer Steve Downey Layout And Design Jeanette Blankenship, Chris Miller Contributing Photographers Lon Horwedel, Per Kjeldsen, Dominick Sokotoff Cover Photo Michigan Photography Editor & Publisher Mark Panus Business Manager Linda Autry Circulation Manager Tristin Shears Advertising Sales Maria Taustine (502) 552-4390 Customer Service Crystal Clayton, Cathy Jones (800) 421-7751 The Wolverine is published monthly. A one-year (12 issues) subscription is $74.99. The Wolverine is printed at The Papers in Milford, Ind. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. Periodical postage paid at Durham, NC 27702 and additional offices. For advertising or subscription information, call 1-800-421-7751 or write The Wolverine, P.O. Box 2331, Durham, NC 27702. The Wolverine is a publication of Coman Publishing Co., a division of On3 Media, Inc., located at 905 W. Main St., Suite 24F, Durham, NC 27701. E-Mail Address: thewolverine@comanpub.com Subscription questions: crystal.clayton@on3.com Website: www.thewolverineondemand.com ❱ Be Heard! Send your letters to: Wolverine Letters P.O. Box 2331 Durham, NC 27702 Or email: mark.panus@on3.com Letters may be edited for clarity or length. From Our Website: TheWolverine.com JOIN THE CONVERSATION! New subscribers get 25% off your first year! Use Promo Code GoBlue2024 PUBLISHER'S NOTE Dear Faithful Readers, In the last 24 months, the U.S. Postal Service has implemented five separate rate hikes, raising the average cost of mail by 22 percent. During the same time frame, our paper and printing costs went up 15 to 20 percent. To help offset these increases, we are increasing our annual subscription rates by 7 percent going forward. This averages out to only 41 cents per issue and will enable us to keep delivering the same great Michigan content that you crave. As always, we thank you for your readership and support. Go Blue! — Mark Panus