ESPN NFL Analyst predicts Colston Loveland will be picked before Mason Graham in final mock draft

The first round of the NFL Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET Thursday, and Michigan fans could be in for a bit of a surprise. Throughout the draft process over the past few months, defensive tackle Mason Graham has been projected to be a top-five pick, with fellow Wolverine and tight end Colston Loveland likely to go around No. 20.

However, according to ESPN’s Peter Schrager’s mock draft, Graham could fall out of the top ten, with Loveland replacing him as the highest-picked player from Michigan.

Colston Loveland could be a top-10 pick in NFL Draft

Loveland was ranked as the No. 6 player in the draft last week, and Schrager has the Indianapolis Colts trading up to tenth overall to grab the tight end for “instant offense” as he “enchanted” many teams. Loveland has size, speed, and should be a day one starter anywhere he goes.

At the same time, Graham is projected to fall almost ten spots from where he was supposed to be picked earlier in the process. Graham is one of the best prospects in the draft based on both immediate impact and potential, but Scharger has him dropping to the Miami Dolphins at No. 13.

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“Graham has been viewed as a likely top-five pick for the past few months, and he could still go there. If he falls to No. 13, this is a nice win for Miami, who would be getting a Day 1 culture changer and a can’t-miss prospect,” Scharger wrote.

Per the mock draft, there won’t be any defensive tackles picked in the top ten. Schrager doesn’t think Graham will be the first off the board at his position either, as he predicted Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen to go at No. 11 to the San Francisco 49ers.

“I’d be shocked if Nolen fell out of the top 15 at this point — he might be the fastest riser in this draft,” Schrager wrote. “He’s quick, is a people mover and has had a great predraft process. Everyone is focused on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Nolen is the Rebels’ prospect I hear about more. Don’t be shocked if he goes before Mason Graham, the more heralded defensive tackle.”

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Graham could be the steal of the draft if he drops out of the top ten.

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