Wolverines in the NFL: Aidan Hutchinson makes freaky play, Jim Harbaugh says Lions star should've been No. 1 overall pick
Former Michigan Wolverines football All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up Aidan Hutchinson continues to be one of the NFL’s very best defensive players in his second professional season.
Hutchinson is leading the way for a Lions team that looks primed to contend in the NFC. Detroit is 4-1 and has an early three-game lead in the NFC North, the only team in the division with a winning record. Hutchinson and Co. are now on a three-game winning streak, after beating the Carolina Panthers, 42-24, Sunday at Ford Field.
The former Michigan standout posted 3 tackles, including 2 for loss, and 1 sack with a whopping 8 pressures in the win. But his play of the day actually came while dropping in coverage, defending a screen pass. He grabbed a one-handed interception on a 2nd and 7 in the first quarter, marking his fourth career pick.
Since the start of the 2021 season — a full year before Hutchinson came into the league — only one player has had at least 10 sacks and 4 interceptions, and that’s Hutchinson. He has 13 sacks and 4 picks in his career.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said before the 2022 draft that Hutchinson should be the first overall pick. The Jaguars, led by Harbaugh’s former boss with the San Francisco 49ers, general manager Trent Baalke, chose Georgia’s Travon Walker instead. Walker has 5.5 career sacks and hasn’t made nearly the impact that Hutchinson has with Detroit.
“I did comment that Aidan Hutchinson should be the number one pick in the Draft,” the Michigan coach said, unprompted, at his Monday press conference. “I think I was right on that one as well. Did you see that interception he made on the screen pass? That one-hander? Wow!
“So proud of him and the amazing job he’s doing. Statistics reflect very well, too, in what he’s added to the Lions. Darn exciting to be a football fan in Michigan right now.”
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 5:
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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Played off the bench but did not record any stats in a 42-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday night … Hauled in 3 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown in five appearances for the 5-0 49ers.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants
Started at center in a 31-16 loss to the Miami Dolphins, registering a 31.8 overall PFF grade with 3 pressures, including 1 sack, allowed … Played center the last two weeks due to injuries along the offensive line, after primarily playing left guard … The former Michigan offensive lineman has opened all four games in which he’s appeared for the 1-4 Giants.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Had a bye this week … Appeared in three outings with one start for the 3-1 Seahawks, tallying 3 tackles.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks
Team was idle this past weekend … Rushed for 104 yards on 21 carries and reeled in 4 receptions for 22 yards while appearing in all four contests for the 3-1 Seahawks.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped in all five games for the 2-3 Commanders, including 5 times in a 40-20 loss to the Chicago Bears Thursday night at FedEx Field.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Denver Broncos
Made his return after missing three games with a hip injury, but played just 11 snaps on defense in a 31-21 setback to the New York Jets … Totaled 2 tackles in as many appearances for the season for the 1-4 Broncos.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Opened a 17-10 rivalry win over the Baltimore Ravens at center, posting a 46.3 overall PFF grade and allowing 2 pressures … Started all five games for the 3-2 Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Started for the second time this season in a 21-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Grabbed 3 receptions for 39 yards … Leads the team with 25 receptions, 467 receiving yards and 3 touchdown catches … Played in all five games with two starts for the 2-3 Texans.
Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan defensive end posted 3 tackles and 2 quarterback hits, along with securing the game-sealing sack on Minnesota’s Kirk Cousins as time expired in a 27-20 victory … Has 3.5 sacks on the season, adding 18 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 5 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups while starting all five outings for the 4-1 Chiefs.
Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Played 3 offensive snaps and 10 special teams plays in the 2-3 Bengals’ 34-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Seen time in three clashes, rushing twice for 12 yards and returning 2 kicks for 45 yards.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan standout made his first start of the season in a 17-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders Monday night, collecting 4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit, adding 3 pressures … His fourth-quarter sack came on a key 3rd and 3 … Tallied 9 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup in five outings with one start … His 20 pressures are tied as the 19th most in the NFL.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Started at right guard for the third consecutive week in a 42-24 win over the Carolina Panthers … Led the Detroit offensive line with a 91.1 overall PFF grade and 91.6 run-blocking rating … Gave up 2 pressures (no sacks) in pass protection … He’s played in all five games with three starts for the 4-1 Lions, and his 83.3 overall PFF grade for the season ranks second among NFL guards, behind only Dallas’ Tyler Smith (90.2) … Smith and Glasgow are the only two guards in the league with a rating better than 80.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Played off the bench but didn’t record any stats in a 23-14 win over the Los Angeles Rams … Appeared in all five outings for the 5-0 Eagles, collecting 3 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 2 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back notched 3 tackles, 1 quarterback hit and a half-sack in a 34-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Started all five tilts for the 2-3 Bengals, with 37 tackles (ranks 10th among NFL DBs), 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 quarterback hits, 2 interceptions and 3 pass breakups.
Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Has not appeared in a game yet this season for the 2-2 Chargers, who had a bye over the weekend.
James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
The 2-2 Browns had a bye this past weekend … Played in three games.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
The former Michigan defender saw time on special teams in a 40-20 loss to the Chicago Bears … Played mostly special teams in all five games for the 2-3 Commanders.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
Had a bye over the weekend … Tallied 10 tackles, a half-sack, 1 tackle for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in four games this season for the 2-2 Browns.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Registered 3 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and a one-handed interception on a screen pass in the 4-1 Lions’ 42-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers … Added 8 pressures in the game and leads the NFL with 35 on the season … Totaled 25 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 8 quarterback hits, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery while starting all five outings.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Had a big forced fumble and recovery at the goal line in the first half of a 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … Added 2 tackles and 1 pass breakup … The former Michigan cornerback has recorded 10 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery in four appearances for the 2-2 Cowboys.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Las Vegas Raiders
Saw 2 special teams snaps in the 2-3 Raiders’ 17-13 win over the Green Bay Packers Monday night …. Played in all five games this season, with 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Played on special teams in a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans … Seen action in four outings for the 3-2 Colts.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Started and tallied 6 tackles and a quarterback hit in the 1-4 Vikings’ 27-20 setback to the Kansas City Chiefs … Opened all five games, posting 34 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 2 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Made all 6 of his extra points in a 42-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Ranks sixth in the NFL with 47 points and tied 10th with 9 made field goals on 9 attempts … One of six NFL kickers to be perfect on place kicks with 9 or more attempts this season.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
Had a bye over the weekend … Missed the last three games with a shoulder injury, after recording 3 tackles in Week 1 for the 3-1 Seahawks.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Missed the last two games with a knee injury for the 3-2 Ravens …According to head coach John Harbaugh, he could miss the rest of the season … Totaled 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble in three contests this season.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Had a bye over the weekend … Played off the bench in three outings for the 3-1 Seahawks.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard but came out after 22 snaps due to an ankle injury in a 34-0 blowout loss to the New Orleans Saints … Started four games after returning from an injury that held him out of Week 1 … The Patriots are 1-4.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Missed the 3-2 Colts’ 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans while in concussion protocol … Totaled 12 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries while starting all four outings.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
Had a bye … Opened three of four games, with 6 receptions for 75 yards and 8 punt returns for 50 yards for the 2-2 Browns.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist started and totaled 3 tackles and returned 2 punts for 1 yard in a 34-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints … Opened all five clashes for the 1-4 Patriots, returning 4 punts for 26 yards and totaling 19 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
Punted 3 times with a 48.3-yard average and allowed 22 return yards, pinning the opponent inside the 20-yard line once, in a 34-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals … His 4.34-second average hangtime ranks 15th in the NFL … Checks in 29th of 33 punters with a 43.9-yard average.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Returned after missing the previous week with a concussion, starting at right guard in a 34-0 win over the New England Patriots … Did not allow a pressure, and his 87.1 PFF pass-blocking grade led his team … Started four of five games for the 3-2 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard and led his team with an 87.4 PFF pass-blocking grade in a 17-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders Monday night … Opened all five games for the 2-3 Packers.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Targeted once but did not have a catch in a 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … has just 1 catch — a 1-yard touchdown — on 6 targets in five appearances for the 3-2 Cowboys.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
The Michigan first-round pick totaled 1 tackle in a 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … Has 4 tackles, including 1 for loss, in five games off the bench.
Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback recorded 4 tackles in a 42-10 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Started two of four appearances for the 5-0 49ers, tallying 15 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Started for the first time in his career and had a career-high 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup in a 34-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Played in all five outings with one start, collecting 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan outside linebacker started and had 1 tackle in a 34-0 setback to the New Orleans Saints … Appeared in all five games with two starts for the 1-4 Patriots, totaling 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 stop for loss and 3 quarterback hits.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2015-17), OT, New England Patriots
Inactive for the third straight week … Totaled 5 special teams snaps in two appearances.
