Michigan Monday: Wolverine Draft and Free Agent Signings in Review

We know what happened Thursday night in the first round, so we will skip the success Devin Bush and Rashan Gary had.

It really started Friday night when Chase Winovich gets picked by the Patriots in the 3rd round and then a few picks later David Long by his hometown Rams.  Both locations are really good situations for both players.  Chase will get a chance to compete at DE right away in New England and the Rams have some high price talent at CB that won't be there for long :).   Getting drafted by both Super Bowl teams is a home run in the 3rd round!

Then the draft slowed down for the Wolverines with only Zach Gentry going to the Pittsburg Steelers in the 5th round, joining his first round teammate Devin Bush.  I'm happy for Zach as he had a terrible Combine but a much better pro day in Ann Arbor.  Mike Tomlin was in attendance for Michigan's Pro Day and drafted 2 Wolverines.   The Steelers love a big TE and if Zach can catch the ball, he should have a great shot of making a roster that is trying to get younger.

If Gentry was the only Wolverine drafted on Saturday, that means RB Karan Higdon went un-drafted.  I know many of you will be upset he skipped the Peach Bowl Exhibition but I personally won't blame a player for trying to stay healthy after watching Jake Butt a few years earlier.    Higdon said on social media that many teams where concerned about his health and a surgery.   I wasn't aware of any recent surgeries.

After the draft ended on Saturday, the flood gate offers for Michigan's un-drafted players opened up.   Some will argue that being an UDFA is better than being drafted in the 7th round because as an UDFA you have options on the team you sign with.

Here is the run down of the Wolverines that signed UDFA contracts:

• Higdon - Signed with the Texans.  Which is a good spot of him and team where he will get a legit shot to make the team.  
• Kinnel with the Bengals 
• Watson with the Jaguars 
• JBB to the Redskins
• Marshall to the Bears
• Mone with the Seahawks 
• Former Michigan QB Wilton Speight to the 49'ers

Now the question remains, who has the best shot to make a roster?  Higdon has the best shot with the Texans but I also like Mone's chances with the Seahawks.  

Good luck to all the former Wolverines in their pro careers!  

from The BIG HOUSE Blog http://mbighouse.blogspot.com/2019/04/michigan-monday-wolverine-draft-and.html