Walter Football, one of the oldest and most well-respected NFL Draft websites, has released their absurdly-early 2019 NFL Draft projections, and the player they have listed to go #1 overall hasn't ever played a game for his current school. The #1 player also isn't even eligible to play in 2018 yet, but his projected rankings should have Michigan fans feverishly excited.
You guessed it, it's Michigan QB Shea Patterson, a recent transfer from Ole Miss.
While the team they have drafting #1 doesn't make much sense (they make it clear in the article that the draft order is completely random), Patterson being #1 is further evidence that if he if granted immediate eligibility (NCAA eligibility-waiver pending but not guaranteed), it would be one of the most impactful transfers in college football history.
Here is what Walter Football said about Patterson in their new 2019 NFL Mock Draft:
"Shea Patterson completed 64 percent of his passes during the 2017 campaign. League contacts have told Charlie Campbell that Patterson compares favorably to Johnny Manziel, but without all of the off-the-field concerns. I think Patterson will have a realistic shot of being the top pick in the 2019 NFL Draft if Jim Harbaugh is able to coach him up."
A previous mock draft from 12/23/2016 listed Patterson at #8 overall and said the following:
"Patterson has transferred to Michigan, where his game could really improve playing for Jim Harbaugh. 2017 was a tumultuous year for Ole Miss, but Patterson completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,259 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions before a season-ending knee injury. Patterson (6-2, 203) completed 55 percent of his passes for 880 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions in his three games of 2016.
Scouting sources have told me that they think Patterson could be a stronger version of Johnny Manziel without all the off-the-field problems. He has a good skill set and the talent around him to produce well as a junior."
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The most recent mock draft also has junior-to-be Rashan Gary being drafted #8 - down from #5 in the December mock. In their assessment of the defensive lineman, they say:
"Rashan Gary is an athletic freak. He wasn't extremely productive as a freshman, but he recorded five sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2017. His teammates believe he'll be a top-10 pick."
Patterson is one of 2 Big Ten QB listed in the top four, with Northwestern QB Clayton Thorson listed at #4 overall. The only other QB listed in the first round of the 2019 mock draft is Clemson QB Kelly Bryant at #10.
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