Projecting Top Offense and Defense Picks in Michigan's Spring Football Draft

Regardless of circumstances, the No. 1 pick of any draft is important, and—if even for a day—it’ll be of the utmost importance March 28 during the Michigan Wolverines’ first spring game draft under new coach Jim Harbaugh.

After the selection, the two sides will play one another in the spring game April 4 at the Big House, which will likely be filled to near-capacity for a couple of reasons: 1. April 4 marks the first “real” spring game in years for the Wolverines, and 2. Harbaugh—there is no further explanation needed.

Other than the date and place, Saturday, March 28 at Al Glick Field House in Ann Arbor, the specifics of Michigan’s spring game draft haven't been made public. There has been no official word on procedure or number of rounds, or anything. Really, a coin flip could determine who gets the first pick. Or better yet, the decision as to which sides gets first dibs could come down to a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Or maybe Harbaugh will make them play laser tag, with the winner taking No. 1 overall. Everything is up in the air. With that said, it’s time to speculate about who’ll be the first players taken during Saturday’s draft.

Note: Michigan rarely confirms or denies an injury. For simplicity’s sake, unless otherwise previously reported, all players will be considered healthy. Also, a player's class will be referenced by fall eligibility.

Offense

Mason Cole (LT)

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The strength of any offense is the line, particularly the left tackle. At 6’5” and 287 pounds, Cole, a sophomore, has the ideal size for the position—plus a bunch of other stuff you’ve already heard. Look, he started 12 games as a true freshman on a horrid line and still managed to stand out from the crowd. Cole has skill and would be a perfect pickup with the No. 1 selection.

Cole played center during an open practice session this past week, but he’s yet to be crowned the new center. For now, he’s being viewed as a left tackle.

Jake Butt (TE)

When healthy, Butt is dynamic. He’s incredible, even. He’s already shown off great hands and the ability to snag the nearly-impossible-to-catch passes. With a more accurate quarterback and full health, the 6’6”, 246-pound junior should establish himself as legitimate threat, not just a household secret with potential.

Outside of Michigan, not many are privy to what Butt can actually do on the field, but he has all the goods necessary to be a secondary-busting option. He can bust linebackers, too. He’s not a small guy. 

Depending on who's doing the picking, Butt could be one of the first offensive players selected. In terms of upside, he's definitely among the top three or four. 

Derrick Green (RB)

He’s yet to showcase the top levels of talent, but Green makes a lot of sense as a top pick at running back. He’s not a blazer, but his lack of speed is made up for with pure power—the 5’11”, 234-pound junior can truck potential tacklers with ease.

It wasn’t a whole lot, but Green’s performance during a 26-24 road loss to Rutgers gave a brief glimpse into what could be a pleasant future. The 12 carries for 74 yards were a limited sample size, true enough. But they were something. The discussion surrounding Green would be a lot different had he not suffered a season-ending injury (broken clavicle) versus Rutgers, too.

Remember that—not the fact that he carried the ball 82 times for just 471 yards and three touchdowns as a sophomore.

Freddy Canteen (WR)

In spring of 2014, he was Freddy Footwork and was expected to be a lightning rod on offense. But he finished his freshman year with just five catches for 22 yards and one touchdown. This year, he’s just Freddy Canteen, a sophomore receiver—for now.

Canteen isn’t a big-bodied threat, but he’s an all-around threat, which he made clear this past spring. He has a high ceiling; no one can deny that. Like it is for others, the question about Canteen is about production versus potential. With hands, great bursts of speed and more hands, Canteen is worth an early pick in the upcoming spring game draft.

Then again, conventional wisdom would suggest taking a receiver such as Amara Darboh or Jehu Chesson. But drafts, even ones like Michigan’s upcoming event, are largely based on taking a chance on what a guy can do rather than what he’s done. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn’t.

Guessing Game (QB)

Quarterback may not be such an early pick Saturday because Michigan doesn’t have one who's really made an impression, according to passing game coordinator Jedd Fisch, who spoke on the matter roughly two weeks ago during availability.

Basically, the Wolverines have what they have. There is no experience factor, only what the players see in practice. But pay close attention, as the first quarterback taken off the board this weekend will certainly be a dead giveaway as to who leads the race for the starting position (at the moment).

From a size standpoint, Wilton Speight, a redshirt freshman, makes the most sense for the top quarterback pick. Fisch had positive comments for Speight’s height and vision—he also said that Speight threw a good ball. Not an overly impressive ball, but a solid one.

It wouldn’t be a huge risk to roll the dice on a 6’6”, 234-pounder who can sling it down the field.

Then there’s Shane Morris, a junior with something to prove. Speight’s not incredibly mobile, and neither is Morris, but Morris can turn on the jets every now and then. He showed his set of wheels as a freshman reliever during Michigan’s 31-14 Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl loss to Kansas State. Unfortunately, that’s really been the only highlight of his career.

He does a cannon-like left arm, though. That’s a nice asset to have.

Or if teams really want to make it interesting, they could opt for true freshman Alex Malzone or let one of the six walk-ons listed on the roster give it a try.

Defense

Jabrill Peppers (DB/ATH)

If he’s not No. 1 overall, Peppers will certainly be the first defensive player selected in the spring game draft. From secondary coach Greg Jackson to special teams coach John Baxter, the word on the street is “Jabrill.”

Or “Pep,” if you ask Jackson.

At 6’1” and 205 pounds, Peppers, a safety who can play anywhere in the defensive backfield, is probably the most athletic player at Michigan. Maybe “probably” isn’t the best word. Until proven otherwise, Peppers is the guy. No question.

Sure, he’s appeared in three games. Sure, he only had six returns before being shelved due to a lower-body injury. But he’s still Jabrill Peppers, and he’s still worth a No. 1 pick. He’s healthy and has been rallying teammates since spring practice began, says Jackson.

Peppers is ready to go.

Jourdan Lewis (DB)

At 5’10” and 176 pounds, Lewis, a junior, embodies everything a coach could want in a defensive back. Take a look back at Michigan’s loss to Utah in 2014, and you’ll remember Lewis chasing down Bubba Poole for 70-some yards to save a touchdown.

Despite having the near sideline, Poole was snatched by Lewis, who sped from the opposite corner of the field, before he could reach the end zone. That play will forever be Lewis’ premier highlight. He could pick all the passes possible, but that tackle—one that revealed a lot about his approach to the game—will trump them all.

Again, depending on order and selection, Lewis would be a great early pick. He should be among the first eight to 10 selected Saturday.

Desmond Morgan (LB)

Tony Ding/Associated Press

Linebackers are quarterbacks for defenses. Morgan is entering his fifth year of eligibility and has started 31 games. He’d be a smart choice for a top defensive pick, because experience—while not always the deciding factor—tends to go a long way.

The 6’1”, 236-pounder had 79 tackles and forced a fumble during his junior year. He can get at the ball carrier and into the backfield.

Willie Henry (DT)

For the past two years, Michigan has had one of the best defensive lines in the country, particularly last year. Henry was a big part of that, so assuming that he’ll be an early pick in the draft is pretty easy.

Who wouldn’t want the 6’2”, 311-pounder anchoring their front four? Henry’s technique has developed over the years, and this year, he’ll again have defensive line coach Greg Mattison to help. When asked about his D-line this past week, Mattison said he was excited to see Henry, along with others, hit the field. 

Despite having just 20 tackles in 2014, Henry is a prime early-round candidate. 

Mattison is one of the nation’s best defensive coaches. So really, selecting any one of his guys—say Bryan Mone or Taco Charlton—wouldn’t be a bad way to spend an early pick.

Joe Bolden (LB)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Bolden appears to have bulked up since 2014. That’s just another reason to use a top-five pick on the 6’3”, 232-pound senior linebacker who can’t get enough of football.

During this past week, his excitement for the upcoming spring game was loud and clear. There may not be a guy who wants to tackle someone during a game-time scenario as much as Bolden.

Plus he returns with a team-high 102 tackles from 2014, giving another reason to consider him as an early-round pick. The Wolverines have talent, as in athletic talent, at linebacker. But playing linebacker takes a lot more than just talent; it takes instinct. Bolden has that. 

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81

Unless otherwise noted, all quotes and references were obtained firsthand by the writer via press conference, press release or other media availability. Statistics and player information were obtained from MGoBlue. 

Who would you select in the spring draft? Feel free to discuss your picks in the comments section.