Winovich, Long Selected in Third Round of 2019 NFL Draft
4/26/2019 10:57:00 PM | Football
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A second pair of University of Michigan football defenders -- defensive end Chase Winovich and cornerback David Long -- were selected during the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, held Friday night (April 26). The Wolverines have had four defensive players taken in the first 79 picks of the draft.
Winovich joins the New England Patriots after being chosen with the 77th overall pick. He is the sixth defensive lineman drafted during head coach Jim Harbaugh's tenure at Michigan, and is the fifth in Don Brown's three seasons as defensive coordinator. Winovich is the 20th U-M player drafted by the Patriots and the first for the organization since receiver Jeremy Gallon was a seventh-round choice in 2014.
???? CHASE!! Pick No. 77 to the @Patriots!! @Wino #GoBlue » #ProBlue | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/yYlej3X2un
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 27, 2019
Winovich had a motor that never stopped, helping Michigan's defense rank among the nation's best in tackles for loss and sacks during the 2017 and 2018 seasons; he listed top three in the Big Ten and in the top 25 nationally in TFLs both years.
Winovich finished his Michigan career by earning second team All-American honors from the Walter Camp Football Foundation and American Football Coaches Association in 2018. He was voted the team's Bo Schembechler Most Valuable Player and was selected as the Richard Katcher Award winner as U-M's top defensive lineman. Winovich started all 13 games and finished third on the team with 69 tackles and a team-leading 17 tackles for loss, while adding five sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
A four-year letterman, Winovich was a two-time All-Big Ten first team selection during his final two seasons (2017-18). He played in 45 career games with 28 starts at defensive end, amassing 185 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, three forced fumbles with another five recovered fumbles during his career. Winovich registered a tackle for loss in 22 of his final 26 career games.
Long was chosen two picks after Winovich, 79th overall, by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round. The Pasadena, California, native is the 11th Wolverine selected by the Rams organization. Long is the third cornerback chosen in Mike Zordich's tenure at Michigan, joining former teammates Jourdan Lewis (2017, third round, Dallas Cowboys) and Jeremy Clark (2017, sixth round, New York Jets).
???? DAVID!! Pick No. 79 to the @RamsNFL!! @dljxxii #GoBlue » #ProBlue | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/hXHyljXoYT
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) April 27, 2019
Long was a lockdown cornerback for a Wolverine defense that rated first and second, respectively, in pass defense the past two seasons. In 2018, Long was the No. 1 cornerback in the country in yards per snap in coverage (0.14), snaps per reception (32.8), forced incompletions (32.3 percent), first downs allowed (two) and completion percentage allowed (29 percent).
Long played in 30 contests for the Wolverines with 26 consecutive starts at cornerback. He recorded 17 pass breakups, three interceptions, an assisted sack, two tackles for loss and 38 total stops during his three-year career. A two-year letterman, Long earned All-Big Ten first team accolades in 2018 after receiving honorable mention honors in 2017.
A skilled press-coverage cornerback, Long was named the team's Defensive Skill Player of the Year in 2018. He was the nation's top-rated cornerback this season in terms of fewest yards allowed per coverage snap (0.15) and according to Pro Football Focus had the best coverage grade among all Big Ten cornerbacks (80.0 percent). Long registered 17 tackles, one interception and nine pass breakups in 13 starts. He earned first team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team selection from the media.
The 2019 NFL Draft concludes with rounds four through seven on Saturday (April 27). Television coverage will start at noon on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
| Name | Pos. | Rd. | Pick | Team | |
| THURSDAY, APRIL 25 (Round 1) | |||||
| Devin Bush | LB | 1st | 10th |  Pittsburgh Steelers |
|
| Rashan Gary | DE | 1st | 12th |  Green Bay Packers |
|
| FRIDAY, APRIL 26 (Rounds 2 & 3) | |||||
| Chase Winovich | DE | 3rd | 77th |  New England Patriots |
|
| David Long | CB | 3rd | 79th |  Los Angeles Rams |
|
• Day 1 Recap
