Michigan NFL draft history: 10 times of multiple Wolverines first-round picks

Michigan’s football program has produced 52 NFL first-round picks in its history, which is tied with LSU for seventh-most all time.

But the Wolverines have only had multiple first-rounders in a single draft 10 times. Thursday night in Green Bay is expected to be their 11th. In fact, Michigan could set a program record with four players selected in the opening round. Twice it has produced three first-rounders in the same draft, but it hasn’t happened since 2001.

With defensive tackle Mason Graham, tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson all considered locks to go in the first 32 picks Thursday, Michigan is on track to at least tie the program record. Breaking it likely will depend on defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, who is considered a fringe first-rounder by most experts. The most first-round picks from one college in a single draft is six, with Alabama accomplishing it in 2021 and Miami in 2004.

Below is a look at when Michigan has had multiple first-round picks in the same draft. On Thursday, it will pull into seventh place alone on the all-time list, but it still has ground to make up on sixth-place Florida (59 first-round picks) and Miami (67). Ohio State is No. 1 with 91, followed by USC (86), Alabama (82) and Notre Dame (71).

2022

With the Wolverines coming off their first College Football Playoff appearance and first Big Ten title since 2024, they also produced one of their highest picks of all time. Star defensive end Aidan Hutchison went No. 2 to the Detroit Lions after setting a single-season program record with 14 sacks as a senior. He is just the fourth Wolverine to go first or second overall. There was a long wait before the next Michigan player to go off the board. Versatile defensive back Daxton Hill, a former five-star recruit, was selected 31st by the Cincinnati Bengals.

2019

Devin Bush was coming off back-to-back All-America seasons for the Wolverines and was the second inside linebacker taken, going No. 10 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive end Rashan Gary never put up gaudy numbers in three seasons at Michigan but had the pedigree as a former No. 1 recruit. He went two picks later to the Green Bay Packers.

2017

Safety Jabrill Peppers entered the draft after his junior season, when he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. The Patriots selected the former five-star prospect No. 25 overall. Three picks later, the Cowboys drafted defensive end Taco Charlton, who had 10 sacks as a senior after registering nine in his first three seasons combined.

2005

Receiver Braylon Edwards and safety Marlin Jackson each helped Michigan win a conference title in 2024. Edwards, the program’s record holder in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns, went third to the Cleveland Browns. He is one of five receivers to go top-five since 2000.

The Colts used the No. 29 pick on Jackson.

2001

All three Wolverines went top-20. David Terrell was the first receiver selected, going to the Chicago Bears at No. 18. Offensive guard Steve Hutchinson began his Hall of Fame career with the Seahawks, who took him with the 17th pick. Tackle Jeff Backus went to the Lions at No. 18.

1995

Three of the five Wolverines selected in 1995 went in the first round. Star running back Tyrone Wheatley was taken by the New York Giants at No. 17, while 1994 first-team All-American cornerback Ty Law was drafted by New England with the 23rd pick. Tackle Trezelle Jenkins went to the Chiefs at No. 31.

Law and Wheatley both entered the draft after their junior seasons.

1978

Mike Kenn started at left tackle his final three years at Michigan and was drafted 13th overall for the Atlanta Falcons. The pick paid off as the Evanston, Illinois native went on to spend his entire 17-year career in Atlanta, breaking the franchise record for games played.

Linebacker John Anderson went No. 28 overall to the Packers after leading a Michigan defense that held opponents to under 11 points per game during his junior and senior seasons.

1972

Coming off an 11-1 season in 1971, Michigan had two players go in the top 20 picks. Two-time all-Big Ten selection and 1971 All-American safety Thom Darden was selected 18th by the Cleveland Browns, who he spent his entire nine-year career with.

Two picks later, the Jets drafted All-American linebacker and Detroit native Mike Taylor.

1945

Elroy Hirsch and Don Lund both went top-10. Hirsch, who starred on both sides of the ball for the Wolverines after spending his first two years at Wisconsin, was taken by the Cleveland Rams at No. 5. Lund, who is in the university’s Hall of Honor, was drafted seventh overall by the Bears but pursued a pro baseball career. The Detroit native played seven MLB seasons, including four with his hometown Tigers.

1941

Tom Harmon is one of two No. 1 overall picks in program history, with the 1940 Heisman Trophy winner going to the Bears. The Washington Redskins snagged quarterback Forest Evashevski with the 10th pick.