Wolverines in the NFL: Nico Collins explodes for huge day, Luke Schoonmaker scores, Jake Moody makes history
Two pass-catchers — an emerging rookie and a budding star — headline Michigan Wolverines football players in NFL Week 2, Dallas Cowboys second-round tight end Luke Schoonmaker and third-year Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins.
Schoonmaker played but didn’t have any stats during his NFL debut in Week 1, before scoring on his first career reception in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets in Week 2. At the goal line with his team up 10-7, Schoonmaker dragged across the formation and hauled in the soft toss from quarterback Dak Prescott for the late-second-quarter touchdown.
Collins, meanwhile, is the go-to target for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud — a former Ohio State star who never beat Michigan — in Houston so far. Collins leads the team with 13 receptions and 226 receiving yards through two weeks. His 13 catches rank 10th in the league, while his receiving yard total slots fifth. Collins caught his first touchdown of the season and fourth of his career from 8 yards out to get his team on the board in the eventual 31-20 loss to division rival Indianapolis.
The former Michigan wideout put up 27.6 fantasy points in points-per-reception leagues in Week 2, with 7 receptions for 146 yards — both career highs — and the 1 score. He’s receiving a lot of buzz by fantasy experts, with The Athletic‘s KC Joyner pointing out that 152 of his receiving yards have come on vertical targets and opining that he’s “a player you want to bank on even if his pace declines, as it should still provide impact depth for a fantasy roster.”
Elsewhere, former Michigan kicker Jake Moody was the first top-100 draft pick at his position since 2016, going to the San Francisco 49ers, and the move has paid off for the franchise so far.
The rookie drilled a 57-yard field goal to give his team a 20-17 lead late in the third quarter in a 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams Week 2, and the 49ers never trailed after that point. The kick stands as the longest made by a rookie kicker in franchise history and second-longest ever by a 49er. He’s a perfect 6-for-6 on both field goals and extra points for the 2-0 club.
Here’s how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 2:
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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers
Played in both outings for the 2-0 49ers but hasn’t recorded any statistics … The 49ers beat the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, 30-23.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants
Started two clashes at left guard for the 1-1 Giants, but left a 31-28 Week 2 win over the Arizona Cardinals with a concussion.
Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks
Made 1 tackle in a 30-13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams Week 1, before missing the next game against the Detroit Lions with a shoulder injury.
Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks
Had 4 rushes for 16 yards and 2 receptions for 14 yards in a 37-31 overtime victory over the Detroit Lions … Carried 7 times for 27 yards and caught 2 passes for 14 yards in two appearances for the 1-1 Seahawks.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped 10 times in each of the 2-0 Commanders’ first two tilts, including in a 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos over the weekend … Struggled in the last game, and head coach Ron Rivera stated that the team will bring in other long snappers for a workout later in the week.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Denver Broncos
Considered “week to week” with a hip injury suffered in practice, after making 2 tackles in a 17-16 Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … The Broncos are 0-2.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers
Started both contests at center for the 1-1 Steelers, including a 26-22 victory over the Cleveland Browns Monday night … Posted a 47.4 overall PFF grade with 1 pressure allowed in the tight win.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Caught his fourth career touchdown pass and first of the season in a 31-20 Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts … Reached career highs in receptions (7) and receiving yards (146) … Leading the team with 20 targets, 13 catches and 226 receiving yards with 1 score this season for the 0-2 Texans.
Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Notched 2 tackles, a half-sack and 1 quarterback hit in a bounce-back 17-9 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Started both outings for the 1-1 Chiefs, posting 8 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 2 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup.
Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury, after rushing twice for 12 yards and making 1 catch for minus-1 yard in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns … The Bengals are 0-2.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan star recorded 2 tackles, a half-sack and 1 quarterback hit in a 25-24 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Registered a half-sack and 2 tackles with 1 quarterback hit while coming off the bench in two games for the 1-1 Packers … Had 8 pressures on 25 pass-rush snaps this season, per PFF.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions
Played in both games on special teams and along the offensive line (19 snaps at right guard) in this past week’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks for the 1-1 Lions.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Did not record any statistics in a 34-28 triumph over the Minnesota Vikings … Came off the bench in both outings for the 2-0 and defending NFC champion Eagles, making 1 tackle, 1 stop for loss and 1 quarterback hit.
Ryan Hayes (2018-22), T, Indianapolis Colts
Yet to make his NFL debut for 1-1 Indianapolis.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back started and posted a game-high 9 tackles (9 solo, 2 assists) in a 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Brought in his first career interception in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns Week 1 and has totaled 17 tackles and 2 stops for loss while starting both contests.
Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Has not appeared in a game yet this season for the 0-2 Chargers.
James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns
Saw time on special teams in a 26-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday night … Played in two games, primarily on special teams, for the 1-1 Browns.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Didn’t post any stats in a 35-33 win over the Denver Broncos … Played special teams both weeks for the 2-0 Commanders.
Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan defensive tackle had 3 tackles, a half-sack, 1 pass breakup and 1 quarterback hit in a 26-22 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday night … Totaled 4 tackles, a half-sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 pass breakup in two appearances off the bench.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Opened a 37-31 loss to the Seattle Seahawks and put up 2 tackles and 1 pass breakup on a third-down screen pass, adding 6 pressures … Started both clashes for the 1-1 Lions, recording 6 tackles, 3 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup … Leads the entire NFL with 13 pressures through two tilts.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
Returned to the field for 10 defensive snaps in the 2-0 Cowboys’ 30-10 victory over the New York Jets, his first game back after shattering his foot last October … Said he “felt really good” and called his season debut a “confidence booster to know that I can go out there and press whoever they line up against me.”
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Las Vegas Raiders
Registered 2 stops in 13 snaps during a 38-10 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills … Made two appearances off the bench and recorded 2 tackles for the 1-1 Raiders.
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Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Played 11 snaps on special teams in a 31-20 win over the Houston Texans … Recorded 2 tackles on special teams in both tilts for the 1-1 Colts.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made 9 tackles — tied for the second-most he’s had in a game during his NFL career — in a 34-28 setback to the Philadelphia Eagles … Started both contests for the 0-2 Vikings, tallying 15 tackles.
Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers
Made a 57-yard field goal in a 30-23 win ovre the Los Angeles Rams Week 2 … The third-round draft choice is a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals and 6-for-6 on extra points so far in his rookie campaign.
Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan edge rusher missed a 37-31 overtime win over the Detroit Lions with a shoulder injury but made his NFL debut in Week 1, posting 3 tackles off the bench in a 30-13 setback to the Los Angeles Rams.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Put up 2 tackles in a 27-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals … Totaled 5 tackles, 1 quarterback hit and 1 sack while appearing off the bench in both outings for the 2-0 Ravens.
Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks
Made his NFL debut with 6 snaps at center in a 37-31 overtime win over the Detroit Lions Week 2, back in the same state he finished his college career.
Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Returned to the field in Week 2 after offseason ankle surgery, starting and splitting time at right guard (46 snaps) in a 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Broke through for a sack in each game for the 1-1 Colts, starting both weeks, including in a 31-20 victory over the Houston Texans … Totaled 9 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 quarterback hits and 1 fumble recovery … Has 12 sacks in 29 career games.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan wideout hauled in 1 catch for 7 yards in a Monday night loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 26-22 … Was potentially interfered with late in the game but didn’t get the call … Started one of two clashes, hauling in 2 receptions for 19 yards on 6 targets.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots
Racked up 6 tackles in a 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Started both contests for the 0-2 Patriots, with 12 tackles, 1 pass breakup and his fifth career forced fumble.
Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals
Had 3 punts with a 40-yard average and one instance of pinning the opponent inside its own 20-yard line in a 27-24 loss to division rival Baltimore … Punted 13 times with a 40.7-yard average and a 54-yard long with 3 kicks that wound up inside the opponent’s 20-yard line in two games for the 0-2 Bengals.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints
Allowed 1 of 4 sacks the team gave up in a 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers Monday night … Started both contests at right guard for the 2-0 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers
Opened a 25-24 setback to the Atlanta Falcons, posting a 61.7 overall PFF grade with 1 pressure allowed … Started two games at right guard for the 1-1 Packers.
Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys
His first career reception was a 1-yard touchdown catch to put his team ahead 18-7 (after a two-point conversion) in a 30-10 win over the New York Jets Week 2 … Played in both tilts off the bench for the 2-0 Cowboys.
Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys
Did not record any stats in 11 defensive snaps during a 30-10 win against the New York Giants … Notched his first career tackle for loss in his NFL debut, a 40-0 blowout of the New York Giants Week 1, and has totaled 2 tackles while coming off the bench in both clashes.
Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers
The former Michigan cornerback tallied 3 tackles in a 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams … Started two games and tallied 8 tackles and 1 pass breakup for the 2-0 49ers.
DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Played 36 snaps (24 defense, 12 special teams) in a 27-24 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Seen action in both contests and registered 2 tackles.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Started for the second time in his career in a 24-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins but did not put up any stats … Finished a 25-20 Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles with 1 tackle, 1 sack and 1 quarterback hit.
Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2015-17), OT, New England Patriots
Totaled 5 special teams snaps in two games for the 0-2 Patriots.
