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Wolverines in the NFL: Twenty one former Michigan players set for postseason

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•01/11/22•

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Former Michigan football players are standing out in the NFL. (Patrick McDermott / Getty Images)

Out of the 38 former Michigan football players in the NFL, 21 are set to compete in the playoffs, which begin with the Wild Card round this weekend.

Since they locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a first-round bye, the Green Bay Packers will not participate in the opening weekend of the playoffs, meaning a duo of former Michigan players — defensive end Rashan Gary and offensive lineman Jon Runyan — will get some extra rest. The same goes for offensive lineman Taylor Lewan and the Tennessee Titans, who are the No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady led his Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 13-4 record and the two-seed in the NFC, and is looking for his eighth Super Bowl title and to defend last year’s crown. The Buccaneers take on the Philadelphia Eagles — who are without star defensive end Brandon Graham (season-ending ankle injury in Week 1) — Sunday afternoon.

Cornerback Jourdan Lewis, tight end Sean McKeon and Dallas Cowboys — the No. 3 seed in the NFC — are hoping for the franchise’s first title since 1996. They’ll face the sixth-seeded San Francisco 49ers Sunday afternoon. The 49ers made the postseason in dramatic fashion, with former Michigan cornerback Ambry Thomas notching a game-winning interception in an overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams. Safety Jarrod Wilson and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst are also on the roster, though Hurst hasn’t seen game action since Week 5 after dealing with injuries.

Despite Thomas’ heroics, the Rams — highlighted by cornerback David Long Jr. — are in the playoffs, with the No. 4 seed in the NFC. Los Angeles is set for a clash with division rival Arizona Monday night.

Former Michigan defensive ends Frank Clark and Mike Danna and quarterback Chad Henne are looking to defend their conference title from 2020 as the No. 2 seed in the AFC. Their first-round matchup will be littered with talent from Michigan, with the seventh-seeded Pittsburgh Steelers being home to four Wolverines — linebacker Devin Bush Jr., defensive end Taco Charlton, tight end Zach Gentry and defensive tackle Chris Wormley.

After missing the postseason last year, New England is back in the playoffs, with the sixth-seeded Patriots set to play No. 3 seed Buffalo for a third time this year Saturday night. The Patriots are home to offensive lineman Michael Onwenu, linebacker Josh Uche and defensive end Chase Winovich, while rookie linebacker Cameron McGrone was picked by the team but is not on the active roster.

Rookie and former Michigan running back Chris Evans and his Cincinnati Bengals are one of the NFL’s biggest surprises of 2021, earning the No. 4 seed in the AFC. They will have a showdown with the Las Vegas Raiders Saturday afternoon.

Here is an update on every former Michigan player in the NFL for Week 18:

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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Completed 29 of his 37 pass attempts for 326 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-17 win over the Carolina Panthers … Connected on 67.5 percent of his passes for a league-high 43 touchdowns and NFL-best 5,316 yards while starting all 17 contests for the 13-4 Buccaneers.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants

Played 53 offensive snaps in a 22-7 loss to the Washington Football Team … Opened one of his eight appearances for the 4-13 Giants, posting a 56.2 overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade.

Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Started and compiled four tackles in a 16-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens … Tallied 70 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 14 starts for the 9-7-1 Steelers.

Taco Charlton (2013-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Saw six snaps on defense but did not record any statistics in a 16-13 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens … Made 18 tackles, a half-sack and two quarterback hits on the year, starting one of his 11 appearances for the 9-7-1 Steelers.

Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Football Team

Snapped on kicks and punts in all 17 games for the 7-10 Football Team, which beat the New York Giants in Week 18, 22-7.

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Started and registered one tackle in a 28-24 victory over the Denver Broncos … Tallied 22 tackles, three stops for loss, 4.5 sacks (second on team), two forced fumbles and 17 quarterback hits in 14 starts and tilts for the 12-5 Chiefs.

Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Minnesota Vikings

Placed on injured reserve with an elbow injury Dec. 24 … Made 14 appearances with seven starts for the 8-9 Vikings, with a 69.5 overall PFF rating.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Opened the game and hauled in three catches for 67 yards in a 28-25 loss to the Tennessee Titans … Made 33 receptions for 446 yards and one touchdown in 14 games with eight starts for the 4-13 Texans.

Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Recorded one tackle in a 28-24 victory over the Denver Broncos … Started six of his 17 games for the 12-5 Chiefs, with three sacks (third on team), 26 tackles, three stops for loss, 10 quarterback hits, one pass breakup and two forced fumbles.

Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Made his first career start and had seven rushes for 35 yards and four receptions for 24 yards and a touchdown in a 21-16 loss to the Cleveland Browns … Made 13 appearances off the bench and one start for the 10-7 Bengals, notching 15 receptions for 151 yards and one score, while also rushing 17 times for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

The former Michigan edge rusher started the game and made two tackles in a 37-30 loss to the Detroit Lions … His 9.5 sacks lead the team and are tied for 18th in the league … Also totaled 46 tackles, eight stops for loss and 28 quarterback hits while starting 16 contests for the 13-4 Packers.

Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

Made his seventh consecutive start and notched four catches for 39 yards in a 16-13 win over the Baltimore Ravens … Hauled in 19 receptions for 167 yards while starting 12 of his 17 appearances for the 9-7-1 Steelers.

Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos

Started seven of nine games, but suffered a season-ending ankle injury.

Jordan Glasgow (2015-19), LB, Indianapolis Colts

Played on special teams in a 26-11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars … Made 12 appearances for the 9-8 Colts, with the bulk of his action coming on special teams … Recorded six tackles.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

The former Michigan defensive end is out for the season with a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1 … Compiled two tackles, including one stop for loss, before the injury.

Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Played in four games off the bench for the 12-5 Chiefs … Completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 82 yards on the year.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Football Team

Out with a sprained ankle after Week 13 and never returned … Made 12 appearances with one start for the 7-10 Football Team, generating nine tackles and one quarterback hit while mostly playing special teams.

Maurice Hurst (2013-17), DT, San Francisco 49ers

Missed time on injured reserve with a calf ailment, has since been activated but hasn’t played since Week 5 … Made two tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage, for the 10-7 49ers.

Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans

The former Michigan left tackle started and played every snap in a 28-25 triumph over the Houston Texans … Started 13 outings for the 12-5 Titans, posting a 71.4 overall PFF grade with four sacks allowed.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Began the game and registered three tackles in a 51-26 blowout of the Philadelphia Eagles … Opened 13 games in his 16 appearances for the 12-5 Cowboys, totaling three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, 61 tackles, one stop for loss and three quarterback hits.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams

Posted three tackles in a 27-24 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … Started five of his 15 games for the 12-5 Rams, with 40 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception.

Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons

Missed a 30-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints with a back injury … Opened 17 tilts for the 7-10 Falcons and had a 48.9 overall PFF rating with 11 sacks allowed and nine penalties committed.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, New England Patriots

The Patriots opted not to elevate the former Michigan linebacker to the active roster after he returned from the injured reserve following Week 14, making him ineligible for the remainder of the season.

Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Competed on three offensive snaps and a handful of special teams plays in a 51-26 win over the Philadelphia Eagles … Compiled four receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown for the 12-5 Cowboys.

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

The former Michigan safety made six tackles and recorded one pass breakup in a 31-17 win over the Chicago Bears … Competed on special teams and saw a handful of defensive snaps in 16 games for the 8-9 Vikings, tallying 13 tackles for the season.

Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks

Started and registered one tackle in a 38-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Started five of his 14 games, producing 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, three quarterback hits and one pass defended for the 7-10 Seahawks.

Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

Came off the bench in a 33-24 setback to the Miami Dolphins … Began eight of his 16 appearances for the 10-7 Patriots, generating an 87.0 overall PFF mark with two sacks allowed.

Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts

Generated five tackles in a 26-11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars …  Started all 15 of his appearances for the 9-8 Colts, registering 32 tackles, three stops for loss, four sacks, 10 quarterback hits and two fumble recoveries.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns

The former Michigan wideout started his fifth-straight contest and hauled in three grabs for 38 yards while returning four punts for 20 yards in a 21-16 win over the Cincinnati Bengals … Opened nine of his 14 contests and racked up 34 catches for 597 yards and three touchdowns for the 8-9 Browns, with 12 punt returns for 107 yards.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New York Giants

Suffered a high-ankle sprain and season-ending ACL injury in Week 7, after beginning five of six appearances and recording 30 tackles, two stops for loss, four quarterback hits, one sack and one pass breakup, while returning nine punts for 58 yards.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints

Started and played every offensive snap in a 30-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons … Started all 17 clashes for the 9-8 Saints and has a 57.9 overall PFF rating with five sacks allowed.

Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers

Started and played every snap on offense in a 37-30 setback to the Detroit Lions … Began 16 of his 17 games for the 13-4 Packers, earning a 65.0 overall PFF grade with two sacks yielded.

Michael Schofield (2010-13), OL, Los Angeles Chargers

Opened the game and played every offensive snap in a 35-32 overtime loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that knocked his team out of playoff contention … Opened 12 of his 15 tilts for the 9-8 Chargers, recording a 67.8 overall PFF grade with two sacks given up.

Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers

The former Michigan cornerback started and made the game-winning interception (his first career pick) in a 27-24 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams to send the 10-7 49ers to the postseason … Also added one pass breakup … Started five games and has appeared in 12 … Registered 23 tackles and seven pass breakups with one interception.

Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

Notched two tackles in a 33-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Totaled 12 tackles, a fumble recovery and three sacks in 12 tilts off the bench for the 10-7 Patriots.

Jarrod Wilson (2012-15), S, San Francisco 49ers

Did not play in a 27-24 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams … Recorded three tackles in four appearances for the 10-7 49ers.

Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, New England Patriots

Came off the bench but didn’t record any statistics in a 33-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Appeared in 13 games in a backup role for the 10-7 Patriots, producing 11 tackles and one quarterback hit.

Chris Wormley (2012-16), DT, Pittsburgh Steelers

The former Michigan D-lineman returned after missing the previous two contests with an injury … Started and made six tackles, one sack, one stop for loss, one hit on the quarterback and one pass breakup in a 16-13 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens … Opened 13 of his 15 games for the 9-7-1 Steelers, with 50 tackles, 7.0 sacks (third on team), six stops behind the line of scrimmage, 10 quarterback hits, one forced fumble and three passes defended.

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