U-M draft picks Funchess, Clark, Ryan could play quickly

Only three Wolverines were picked in the NFL draft, reflecting Michigan's current talent pool and matching the highest total in the post-Lloyd Carr era.

Yet with Devin Funchess (41st overall) and Frank Clark (63rd) drafted in the second round and Jake Ryan (129th) in the fourth, it was the highest average draft position with the greatest projected impact since 2008.

Based on the draft wrap-up news conferences from each team, all three might have a chance to play quickly.

In Carolina, coach Ron Rivera, on Funchess, whose whiteboard knowledge was impressive: "Devin's able to talk about the whole offense. He talks about the offensive line, running backs, tight ends, then talks about what the receiver was doing. His recall was very good. … He was one of the guys that was really outstanding. He did a very nice job with his recall, did a very nice job talking about certain plays. We're not saying this guy's a great athlete. We're trying to find out what kind of mental athlete he is as well. … Guys like that get on the field sooner."

In Seattle, coach Pete Carroll, on Clark, who had a domestic-violence arrest hanging overhead: "That's an example of a guy that we kept looking, kept digging, trying to figure out all of the good things that he could bring. Is it there? Where other people may have stopped that process, we kept digging and found a guy that we really thought could be something special and deserved this opportunity. I think you'll see that in time."

Green Bay GM Ted Thompson, on Ryan: "Thought he had a lot of pedigree, very well liked at school, two-time captain, and he's played some big-time ball."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy, on Ryan, who would be an inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense: "He's an excellent fit for the way we want to play."

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., in a postdraft story on Ryan: "If he's at 100%, I think you have a future starter at one of the inside linebacker spots — he has a nose for making plays in the backfield."

Note:Former U-M kicker Matt Wile will attend Carolina Panthers rookie camp, the NFL team announced today.

Contact Mark Snyder at msnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder.