The 2026 NFL Draft is still 10 months out, but that hasn’t stopped national outlets from taking an early look at the class.
And while Michigan might not be as star-studded as it was a year ago, there are two names to watch for the Wolverines this fall, according to ESPN.
On Friday, network draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid, in [a story published for ESPN.com](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587345&xs=1&xcust=amcmann1|&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espn.com%2Fnfl%2Fdraft2026%2Fstory%2F_%2Fid%2F45532124%2Fnfl-draft-2026-top-five-every-position-players-watch) (subscription required), both listed their top five draft-eligible players at each major position, along with a few additional names to watch.
No Michigan player cracked the top five, though defensive tackle Rayshaun Benny -- back for his fifth year to help anchor the Wolverines’ line -- was identified by Miller as a player to watch.
“Another year, another Wolverines defensive lineman to watch,” Miller writes. “The 6-4, 296-pound Benny will be tasked with replacing first-rounder Mason Graham.”
And while Benny only notched 1.5 sacks last year as a backup, Miller notes, he “has breakout potential.”
“He ended the season playing his best ball, sharing Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Michigan upset Ohio State,” Miller said.
Benny could have declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, but decided to return to Michigan for his final year of college eligibility.
While speaking to reporters in March, the Detroit native said there was “more on the table for me” -- and hoped to help Michigan make another run at a national championship.
“That’s my whole goal this year -- just to lead, show the young guys that wasn’t here to see the four-year run,” Benny said. “Trying to show them what it’s about. It’s really a whole new team, so just implementing the culture that was installed on me upon them.”
Michigan brought in a pair defensive tackle transfers this offseason, Damon Payne (Alabama) and Tre Williams (Clemson), to help supplement Benny in the middle.
Elsewhere, ESPN’s Matt Miller is also intrigued by safety Rod Moore, whose return from a torn ACL suffered in spring 2024 has made him difficult to rank.
“If he can return to his previous level of play (six combined interceptions in 2022-23), that’s a huge win for the Michigan defense and could push Moore near the top of the safety class,” Miller writes.
“But scouts are in wait-and-see mode as he returns from injury.”
The 2026 NFL Draft is set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.