Wolverines in the NFL: Brandon Graham with a reminder that he's still here
Former Michigan Wolverines football defensive end Brandon Graham — a 35-year-old in his 14th NFL season — has had a quiet year so far, coming off the bench for a loaded Philadelphia Eagles defensive line. He had his breakthrough game this past weekend in a crucial 28-23 victory over division rival Dallas, keeping the Eagles out ahead in the NFC with an 8-1 record, 1.5 games ahead of second-place Detroit (6-2).
Graham had only a half-sack through eight games coming into Sunday, but he put up 1.5 in the victory over the Cowboys. After the game, Graham was all smiles, wearing a hat with the Cowboys logo crossed out at his locker.
“Who, his old ass? Oh he’s an old man,” said teammate and fellow defensive lineman Fletcher Cox with a chuckle. “We love him. He brings so much energy to this team. When he’s in the game, people feel him. He’s in the game to dominate.”
The captain has provided his leadership as well as some production off the bench, playing 18.2 defensive snaps per contest.
“He’s such an important part of this football team,” Eagles head man Nick Sirianni said. “The player, the person, the leader, the captain. When he makes a play like he did today, I promise you everybody feeds off of that and everybody feels that because our guys are so excited when he makes a play.”
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 9:
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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Had a bye over the weekend … Made 3 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown while appearing in all eight contests for the 5-3 49ers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants
Started at right guard and posted a dismal 48.6 overall PFF grade with 6 pressures allowed in a 30-6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Opened eight of nine games for the 2-7 Giants.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Inactive for the third game in four weeks … Totaled 4 tackles in four contests for the 5-3 Seahawks.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks
Rushed 4 times for 8 yards and caught 1 pass for 5 yards in a 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Rushed for 170 yards on 32 carries and reeled in 9 receptions for 52 yards this season.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped 10 times in a 20-17 win over the New England Patriots … Snapped in all nine outings for the 4-5 Commanders.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan defensive end posted 1 tackle in his second game with the Seahawks, after being released (at his request) by the Denver Broncos and picked up by his new club … Registered 4 tackles in as many contests.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Started at center in a 20-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans Thursday night … Did not allow any pressures … Opened all eight contests for the 5-3 Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Started his fourth straight game, a thrilling 39-37 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … He hauled in 3 catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, his fourth score of the season … Leads the 4-4 Texans with 36 catches and 631 receiving yards in eight games with five starts.
Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan and CMU defensive end started and recorded 2 tackles in a 21-14 win over the Miami Dolphins in Frankfurt, Germany … Tallied 30 tackles, 6 for loss, 5.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups while starting all nine games for the 7-2 Chiefs.
Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Played five offensive snaps and 15 special teams plays in a 24-18 win over the Buffalo Bills … Played in six outings, rushing 2 times for 12 yards, catching 1 pass for minus-1 yard and returning 2 kicks for 45 yards.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
Started his fourth consecutive game and had 3 tackles and 2 quarterback hits in a 20-3 victory over the Los Angeles Rams … Opened four of eight games for the 3-5 Packers, totaling 18 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Had a bye over the weekend … Opened six games and appeared in eight for the 6-2 Lions.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end exploded for 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1.5 sacks with 2 quarterback hits in a 28-23 win over division rival Dallas … Notched 7 tackles, 2 for loss and 2 sacks in nine games off the bench for the 8-1 Eagles.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Started and recorded 2 tackles and a pass breakup in a 24-18 win over the Buffalo Bills … Opened all eight games for the 5-3 Bengals, who have won their last four, with 53 tackles, including 4 behind the line of scrimmage, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups.
Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Has not appeared in a game yet this season.
James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Played off the bench at left tackle (34 snaps) — allowing 2 pressures and posting a 48.5 overall PFF grade — in a 27-0 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Appeared in seven contests, mostly as an extra lineman and special teams player, for the 5-3 Browns.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan standout started his third consecutive week and generated 4 tackles in a 20-17 victory over the New England Patriots … Totaled 14 tackles in nine games with three starts … Began the year playing almost exclusively on special teams but has played linebacker more and more of late.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Notched a quarterback hurry in a 27-0 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Played in eight games, recording 15 tackles, 2 for loss, a half-sack, 3 quarterback hits, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups, for the 5-3 Browns.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
The former Michigan defensive end had a bye over the weekend … Third in the league with 46 pressures on the season, per PFF … Posted 23 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries and 1 forced fumble on the season, opening all eight contests for the 6-2 Lions.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Started his second consecutive contest, a 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … The former Michigan cornerback had 1 tackle in the setback … Posted 16 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery in seven appearances for the 5-3 Cowboys.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Carolina Panthers
Quickly picked up off waivers by the Carolina Panthers Nov. 3 after being released by the Las Vegas Raiders one day earlier … Played eight games with one start, totaling 12 tackles and a pass breakup for the Raiders before being let go … Inactive this past weekend for the Panthers.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), G, New York Giants
Did not play in a 30-6 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … Appeared in three outings this season for the 2-7 Giants.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Played on special teams in a 27-13 win over the Carolina Panthers … The former Michigan linebacker has played on special teams in eight outings for the 4-5 Colts.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Started and had 5 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, 2 quarterback hits and 1 fumble recovery in a last-minute, 31-28 comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons … Opened all nine games for the 5-4 Vikings, with 60 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, a sack, 7 quarterback hits, 1 interception and 3 pass breakups.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Had a bye … Is 12-of-15 on place kicks and 26-of-26 on PATs this season for the 5-3 49ers.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury after recording 3 tackles in Week 1 for the 5-3 Seahawks.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Missed his sixth straight game for the 7-2 Ravens with an ankle injury … Was originally expected to return this season, but it appears an announcement is forthcoming on him potentially missing the rest of the campaign … Collected 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble in three clashes.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Played 1 special team snap in a 37-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Appeared in seven games with one start for the 5-3 Seahawks.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right tackle, leading the Patriots offense with an 84.4 overall PFF grade in a 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders … Appeared in seven games, starting all of them, for the 2-7 Patriots.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Posted 3 tackles, a half-sack and 1 quarterback hit in a 27-13 win over the Carolina Panthers … Totaled 28 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries in eight starts for the 4-5 Colts.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Detroit Lions
Traded to the Detroit Lions last week, ahead of the team’s bye, and may start to get worked into the rotation this week against the Chargers in Los Angeles … Played in all seven games for the Browns before the move, starting four, hauling in 8 catches for 97 yards and returning 13 punts for 84 yards.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan Heisman finalist started and had 3 tackles and 2 pass breakups in a 20-17 setback to the Washington Commanders … Recorded 54 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 pick, 6 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in nine starts for the 2-7 Patriots.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
Punted 3 times, all pinning the Buffalo Bills inside their own 20-yard line, in a 24-18 win … Attempted 38 punts with a 44.1-yard average in eight games for the 5-3 Bengals.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Started at right guard and allowed 1 pressure in a 24-17 win over the Chicago Bears … Started all eight games in which he’s appeared for the 5-4 Saints, who stand atop the NFC South.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard and allowed 2 pressures and a sack with a 42.3 overall PFF grade in a 20-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams … Started all eight games for the 3-5 Packers.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Caught the third pass of his career and second in as many weeks, for no gain at the 1-yard line, almost scoring a touchdown, in a 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Made 3 grabs for 14 yards in eight games.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
The first-round pick played 12 defensive snaps but didn’t have any statistics in a 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Played in all eight games for the 5-3 Cowboys, with 5 tackles, including 1 for loss.
Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Had a bye … Appeared in seven clashes for the 4-3 49ers with two starts, totaling 16 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Posted 2 tackles while starting his fourth straight game in a 24-18 win over the Buffalo Bills Monday night … Played in all eight games with four starts, totaling 16 tackles and 2 pass breakups for the 5-3 Bengals.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan pass rush specialist had a tackle in a 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders … Appeared in seven clashes with two starts, tallying 6 tackles, 2 sacks and 4 quarterback hits.
