Three 2025 NFL Draft prospects to watch from Michigan

Whether or not the team has a stellar season, Michigan almost always produces a great crop of NFL talent. This season, key stars from the 15-0 national championship team are returning.

Here are the top three to watch ahead of next year's NFL Draft, which begins on April 24, 2025:

Will Johnson | Cornerback

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg on Johnson : "Great length at 6-foot-2 and playmaking skills."

Prospect ranking: Pro Football Focus (No. 4), Tankathon (No. 3), Pro Football Network (No. 2)

When Michigan needed a big play last year, Johnson usually showed up. In a win over Ohio State, he made an interception in coverage against Heisman Trophy finalist Marvin Harrison Jr. He grabbed another in the national championship game against another Heisman finalist, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Johnson's role has been varied in Michigan's defense, running cover 3, 4, and 6 assignments, and man coverage, so he'll be ready for whatever is thrown his way in the NFL. He had a lot of experience and polish for a 21-year-old, and at 6-foot-2 with a projected sub-4.5 second 40-yard dash speed, he has the frame and athleticism to be the best cornerback prospect in this year's draft class.

Expect him to go within the top five in the NFL Draft on April 24.

Mason Graham | Defensive line

ESPN's Matt Miller on Graham: "Potential to be a superstar at the next level."

Prospect ranking: PFF (No. 2), Tankathon (No. 7), Pro Football Network (No. 5)

Johnson isn't the only special player on Michigan's defense. Graham has been one of the team's most consistent performers, stepping up against Ohio State and Iowa when Johnson was dealing with an injury.

Graham is a true three-down player on defense, providing refined pass-rush ability from the interior and a tremendous amount of explosiveness in run-stopping.

At 6-foot-3 and 317 pounds, Graham is a gap-plugger with twitch and quickness rarely seen with his frame. He doesn't overpursue and shows maturity rarely seen for a 20-year-old, making him an enticing prospect who should be drafted no lower than 10th overall.

Colston Loveland | Tight end

ESPN's Matt Miller on Loveland : "Expert run blocking."

Prospect ranking: PFF (No. 16), Tankathon (No. 21), Pro Football Network (No. 13)

It's been said that this Michigan team, after losing its entire offensive line to the NFL, as well as quarterback J.J. McCarthy, RB Blake Corum and receivers Roman Wilson and Cornelius Johnson, will resemble a better version of Iowa.

Like those Iowa teams, the Wolverines feature a game-breaking talent at tight end and a centerpiece of the 2023 offense.

It's always hard to pin down how the league will value a tight end on draft day, but it's hard to poke holes in Loveland's profile.

He's great at the catch point (45 receptions, 649 yards last season) and comfortable running all the classic tight-end routes. He's a good run-blocker and should be a Day 1 pick.