The 2026 NFL Draft saw five Michigan Wolverines selected, ending a streak of seven consecutive first-round picks. Derrick Moore was the first Wolverine drafted by the Detroit Lions at No. 44 overall.
Key points
Five Wolverines were drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Derrick Moore was the first Wolverine selected at No. 44.
Michigan's streak of seven first-round picks ended in 2026.
The draft took place over three days in Pittsburgh.
Undrafted Michigan players can still join NFL teams.
After Michigan football had 20 players selected in the prior two drafts, five Wolverines were selected over three days in Pittsburgh. The program's streak of seven consecutive first-round selections was also snapped, after no U-M players were taken on Day 1.
Just because the draft is over, however, doesn't mean other ex-Michigan standouts won't make their way into the NFL.
Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Damon Payne (44) tips a pass from Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Damon Payne (44) tips a pass from Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
The undrafted free agent (UDFA) period has started, which gives players that weren't selected an invite to training camp and a longer, but possible, route to making the team or the practice squad.
Here's what you need to know about which Michigan players were signed as an undrafted free agent in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Q&A
How many Michigan Wolverines were drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Five Michigan Wolverines were selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Who was the first Michigan player drafted in 2026?
Derrick Moore was the first Michigan player drafted in 2026, selected by the Detroit Lions at No. 44 overall.
What was significant about Michigan's draft performance in 2026?
Michigan's performance in the 2026 NFL Draft was significant as it ended a streak of seven consecutive first-round selections.
What happens to undrafted Michigan players after the NFL Draft?
Undrafted Michigan players may still sign with NFL teams as free agents after the draft concludes.
Related Articles
MLBĀ·Recap
Roki Sasakiās Mixed Bag Start vs. Cubs Continues Rollercoaster
Roki Sasaki struggles in sixth inning against Cubs on bobblehead night
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
NFL
Giants and Jets each got A-pluses in the AP's NFL draft early grades
Giants and Jets both score A-pluses in AP's NFL draft early grades.
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
MLBĀ·Recap
Josh Jung hits 2-run homer in 6th to push the Rangers past the Athletics, 4-3
Josh Jung's two-run homer lifts Rangers over Athletics 4-3
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
NBAĀ·Recap
New York brings defense, physicality to Atlanta, wins Game 4 in a blowout to even series 2-2
Knicks dominate Hawks 114-98 in Game 4, evening series at 2-2.
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
Sports
Pumas guarantee second place of the Clausura 2026 after defeating Pachuca
Pumas secure second place in Clausura 2026 with a 2-0 win over Pachuca!
Yahoo SportsĀ·Ā·1 min read
SoccerĀ·Recap
Messi and Inter Miami settle for another home tie, this one a 1-1 draw against New England
Inter Miami and Messi settle for a 1-1 draw against New England Revolution.
Michigan receiver Donaven McCulley celebrates with fans after the win against New Mexico at Michigan Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Ann Arbor.
Michigan receiver Donaven McCulley celebrates with fans after the win against New Mexico at Michigan Stadium on August 30, 2025 in Ann Arbor.
The former Indiana wideout transferred to Ann Arbor for one season and was one of the two most productive pass catchers on the year. He caught 39 passes for 588 yards (15.1 yards per catch) and three touchdowns for the Wolverines. He was invited to the Senior Bowl and led all players with four receptions for 50 yards.
McCulley is 6 feet 4 and 203 pounds and finished his college career having played 48 games (41 as a wideout), with 105 receptions, 1,422 yard and 11 receiving touchdowns. He also had 144 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. He began his career as a quarterback and had 542 passing yards, three passing scores and two picks.
The Sterling Heights native was a two-time All-Big Ten selection (third-team, coaches, 2025; honorable mention, coaches, 2024, media, 2024-25).
A captain in 2025, El-Hadi, who is listed at 6-5 and 315 pounds, played in 51 games including 43 on the offensive line with 24 starts across his five-year Michigan career.
After beginning his career at Alabama, the Belleville native returned home to spend his final year just up the road from where he became a high school standout. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound defensive tackle played in 13 games with five starts and made 16 tackles, which included two for loss and one pass breakup.
Payne pledged to the Tide as the No. 24 overall player in the 2021 class. He was the No. 1 player in Michigan, just ahead of former running back Donovan Edwards.
Tre Williams began his year at Clemson and after five years in South Carolina, transferred to Michigan for the sixth and final year of his collegiate career. Williams played 44 games with four starts along the defensive line at Clemson, recording 35 tackles with 10 for loss, four sacks and two pass breakups
The 6-foot-2, 307-pound defensive tackle played all 13 games along the defensive line in Ann Arbor in 2025 and made 20 tackles, 5Ā½ of which went for loss and recorded one pass breakup. He came to college as a four-star recruit out of Washington.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) is sacked by Michigan edge TJ Guy (4) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles (2) is sacked by Michigan edge TJ Guy (4) during the second half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
A staple in Ann Arbor in recent years, TJ Guy leaves the Wolverines after a decorated five-year tenure. He was never a standout player, but a consistent force for Michigan, particularly in the latter stages of his career.
The team's Most ImprovedĀ Player on defense as a senior (2024) and an alternate captain as a graduate student (2025), Guy appeared in 48 games across his career, 42 of which came on defense with eight starts. In his final season, Guy made 18 tackles, three for loss, with 2Ā½ sacks and hauled in his first and only career interception.
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound EDGE leaves Ann Arbor with 66 tackles, 12Ā½ for loss, 10 sacks and one interception.
Greg Crippen had to wait his time, then ultimately became a reliable piece at the center (literally) of Michigan's offensive line. The 6-foot-4, 309-pound interior lineman won a starting job out of fall camp for the first time in his fifth and final season and was named an All-Big Ten selection (honorable mention, media, 2025).
Crippen played in 40 games with 21 starts in his five-year career after he started all 13 contests this past season.
Michigan place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) attempts an extra point against Central Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Michigan place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) attempts an extra point against Central Michigan during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Dominic Zvada, who had an argument as perhaps the best kicker in the nation in 2024 before a down season in 2025, was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Zvada has found a home after a 2025 campaign that had a surprising amount of disappointment. The 6-foot-3, 187-pound kicker from Chandler, Arizona made a career-worst 17 of 25 (68%) kicks as a senior, as he didn't log back-to-back games without a missed kick the entire year.
The struggles began in Norman, Oklahoma, when he missed a 32-yarder against the Sooners in a 24-13 loss. The next week, he missed from 47 yards against Central Michigan. He got back to form the next week, going 3-for-3 in a tight 30-27 win over Nebraska which included a career-long tying 56-yarder, only to miss a 27-yard chip shot the following week over Wisconsin.
The misses were surprising, because in his first year in Ann Arbor in 2024, he was essentially automatic.
As a junior, Zvada was 21-for-22 on field goals, with the lone miss coming on a block at Illinois. Outside of that, he made every field goal and set a U-M program record for 50-yard makes in a career, drilling seven such kicks in just one season.