Michigan Football: Wolverines' Top 2017 NFL Draft Prospects

The 2017 NFL draft is merely a distant blip on the radar right now, but the Michigan football program has an excellent chance to be considered a pipeline for next year's list of selections.

Bleacher Report's Ben Axelrod wrote that 2016 will be the Wolverines' last quiet draft under Harbaugh. It sure was unassuming, since only Graham Glasgow, Willie Henry and Jake Rudock were picked.

But after seeing just three players selected, Michigan's attention now turns to the double-digit players likely headed for the professional level.

The following list focuses on Michigan's five best prospects for 2017, starting with No. 5. Potential draft position—not exclusively a perceived stock—was a key factor in determining the order.

Jehu Chesson, Wide Receiver

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Jehu Chesson's primary appeal is speed, speed and more speed.

Last season, he caught 50 passes for a team-best 764 yards and nine scores. Chesson added a pair of touchdowns on jet sweeps and took a kickoff 96 yards to the house.

Fortunately for the senior, 2017 isn't exactly a deep receiving class. Plus, no other highly regarded draft-eligible wideout has Chesson's breakaway speed. Notre Dame's Will Fuller just went No. 21 overall largely because he's an excellent downfield threat.

Chesson probably won't sprint into the first round, but he's unquestionably a Day 2 pick.

Jourdan Lewis, Cornerback

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Jourdan Lewis is an interesting prospect. Listed at 5'10" and 175 pounds, he's not close to the ideal size for an NFL cornerback.

Two of the 2016 draft's top corners—Vernon Hargreaves III and Mackensie Alexander—are the same height as Lewis. Hargreaves went No. 9 overall, but Alexander plummeted to 54th.

Perhaps Lewis will fall right in the middle. He's a top-10 draft-eligible prospect who will probably stay more in the six-to-10 range. Considering there were 10 cornerbacks taken in 2016's first two rounds, that's not a bad ranking.

Throughout the draft cycle, analysts will point to Aaron Burbridge's nine-catch, 132-yard performance—most of which came against Lewis. Burbridge clearly bested the corner on multiple routes.

However, it's important to remember that Connor Cook targeted Burbridge 19 times, and Lewis recorded a stunning six pass breakups.

Both can be—and are—true. Despite today's era of embracing debate, two facts are allowed.

Chris Wormley, Defensive Line

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Much of the nation's attention paid to Michigan's defensive line focuses on Rashan Gary. That's not surprising or wrong by any means, since he's the 2016 cycle's No. 1 prospect and has the ability to star at both end and tackle.

But the Wolverines have an important luxury: It doesn't matter where Gary plays, because Chris Wormley excels at both, too.

Last season, Wormley accumulated 43 total tackles—including 14.5 for loss with 6.5 sacks—two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble, logging most of his snaps at defensive tackle.

In his "way-too-early" mock draft, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller has Wormley going off the board 31st overall.

Jake Butt, Tight End

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Jake Butt could've turned pro following the 2015 season but returned to Michigan for one final year. Instead, Hunter Henry was the first tight end selected, going at 35th overall to the San Diego Chargers.

In all likelihood, Butt would've topped the position's rankings. He earned second-team AP All-America honors and received the 2015 Big Ten Tight End of the Year award after catching 51 passes for 654 yards and three touchdowns.

Another campaign in Harbaugh's friendly offense won't hurt.

Per CBS Sports, the senior is currently listed ahead of Alabama's O.J. Howard and Clemson's Jordan Leggett as the top prospect. Granted, Howard is a seldom-used target with more upside as a matchup nightmare, so it wouldn't be a surprise for him to be selected earliest.

Regardless, Butt is a fringe Week 1 prospect practically guaranteed to be among the first tight ends selected.

Jabrill Peppers, Athlete

The term "overrated" has been tossed around in public forums regarding Jabrill Peppers. Quite frankly, those people probably didn't actually watch Peppers in 2015.

Spending time mostly at nickelback, he notched 45 tackles with 6.5 for loss and broke up 10 passes. Peppers also contributed as a returner, averaging 27.9 yards on kicks and 11.4 on punts. He tallied eight receptions and scored two rushing touchdowns.

Peppers will draw comparisons to Jalen Ramsey, an excellent defensive back whom the Jacksonville Jaguars took fifth overall. There's a legitimate chance Peppers tests better than the Florida State standout, and the tape will probably favor the Michigan star, too.

Miller has Peppers—who will play linebacker this year—going 10th overall. That place is certain to rise and fall leading up to the 2017 draft, but Peppers' place as Michigan's top prospect is locked up.

Stats from CFBStats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.