NFL Draft notes on Brandon Graham, Brandon Minor, Obi Ezeh

Michigan didn't have a player taken on the first day of the NFL draft last year for just the second time this decade, but defensive end Brandon Graham continues to solidify his status as a likely high-round pick.

Graham, who leads the Big Ten with 10 1/2 tackles for loss in league games, is rated the No. 1 outside linebacker prospect by NFLDraftScout.com.

After a dominant game against Penn State, the Web site compared Graham to former Northern Illinois star Larry English, who went 16th overall last year to San Diego.

"Because he'll likely measure in at under 6-1 at the Senior Bowl and Combine, 3-4 teams are most likely to value him as a mid-first-round pick," the Web site said.

Running back Brandon Minor won't go as high as Graham come April - he'll undoubtedly be knocked by scouts for his injury history - but SportsIllustrated.com draft analyst Tony Pauline listed Minor among his draft risers two-thirds of the way through the college season.

Pauline writes that Minor has impressed scouts as "a hard running, interior ball carrier that continually displays the ability to pick up the tough yardage when necessary." Minor is day to day with a heel injury and has been nagged by a high ankle sprain all year.

Middle linebacker Obi Ezeh has another year of college eligibility, but that hasn't stopped some draftniks from discussing his future. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper rates Ezeh No. 4 among junior inside linebackers, one spot behind impressive Michigan State linebacker Greg Jones, while The National Football Post called Ezeh "a limited Wolverine."

NFP's Wes Bunting wrote that Ezeh projects as a two-down linebacker in the NFL similar to former Wolverine David Harris, now with the New York Jets.

"Ezeh lacks ideal fluidly in space and struggles when asked to turn and run with tight ends down the field," Bunting wrote. "He was brutally beaten by PSU tight end Andrew Quarless on a 60-yard touchdown pass and lacks the athleticism to stay with NFL-caliber tight ends in the pass game."

Dave Birkett covers University of Michigan football for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at 734-623-2552 or by e-mail at davidbirkett@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.