Three best Michigan prospects after J.J. McCarthy

Michigan's absolutely loaded national championship winning team is sending a ton of talent to this year's NFL Draft. It's possible Michigan sets the record for most players drafted in one year, with the group being highlighted by star quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

The question is, after McCarthy, who are the best prospects coming out of Ann Arbor? Since All-Americans and school legends like Zak Zinter and Blake Corum have had their stock harmed by injury history, it's a wide open discussion. Let's talk about the three best Michigan prospects beyond McCarthy.

Mike Sainristil | DB

Sainristil may not have the highest ceiling of Michigan's prospects, but the likelihood that he's able to be a positive contributor at the pro level is extremely high. He wasn't just the heart and soul of Michigan's defense or a fun story about an average wide receiver who became one of the country's best defensive backs, he's a legitimate prospect who has played some incredible football in the biggest moments.

From a huge pass breakup against Ohio State in 2022 to a big tackle against the Buckeyes in 2023 and of course, the interception that sealed the national title for Michigan, Sainristil's highlight reel is one of a kind. 

At 5'10" and 183 pounds, he may not be an every-snap type of player, as his skillset is mostly geared towards playing in the slot, but he brings the versatility to contribute at safety and perhaps on special teams, as well as the high-level mentality and work ethic that any NFL team would love to have. 

Roman Wilson | WR

Even though Michigan's title-winning team was characterized by running the ball and defense, two of its best prospects are members of the passing offense. Of course, McCarthy is one, but don't sleep on his top wideout either, despite his relatively modest counting stats.

Wilson was targeted 67 times, caught 48 balls and dropped just one. He also scored a dozen touchdowns, as his polished route running and football IQ allowed him to have much more of an eye for the end zone than many prospects of his physical stature (5-11, 185). With excellent speed and on-ball skills, as well as the added bonus of valuable run-blocking, Wilson is a pro-ready receiver who has fallen down the board due to the overall strength of this wideout class.

Junior Colson | LB

It was a tough call between Colson and defensive lineman Kris Jenkins for the final spot on this list, but given the general consensus on each player, Colson probably provides more value based on where he's expected to go in the draft. He's a bit light on speed, but his size is definitely NFL-caliber at 6'2" and 238 pounds, and he's shown serious year-over-year improvement as a Wolverine. 

As an extremely high-IQ player who is a master of former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter's system (who is now the DC of the Chargers), don't be shocked if he's picked by the linebacker-needy Chargers on Day 2 for a reunion with his college coaches.