Wolverines in the NFL: Final regular-season stats for former Michigan players; 13 set for postseason
The 2022 NFL regular season is in the books, and it was a successful one for many former Michigan Wolverines football players in the league, from rookies like Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and 45-year-old veterans like Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady.
Hutchinson recorded 9.5 sacks in 17 games, leading all rookies for the season. He was just a half-sack shy of the Lions’ rookie franchise record. His team needed a Los Angeles Rams win over the Seattle Seahawks and a victory over the Green Bay Packers Sunday to make the postseason. The Rams fell just short, though, losing 19-16 in overtime, before the Lions eliminated the Packers with a 20-16 win at Lambeau Field in which Hutchinson had 2 third-down sacks on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Brady, meanwhile, is headed to the playoffs for the 20th time in his career, with his Buccaneers narrowly winning the NFC South with an 8-9 record. He’s made the postseason in 19 straight seasons in which he’s been healthy, dating back to his time in New England.
Brady is one of 13 former Michigan players set for the postseason. Here’s a look at the matchups involving Wolverines.
AFC Playoffs
• No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs (Frank Clark, Chad Henne, Michael Danna) — first-round bye
• No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals (Chris Evans, Dax Hill) vs. No. 6 Baltimore Ravens (David Ojabo) — Sunday, January 15, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC
• No. 5 Los Angeles Chargers (Christopher Hinton) at No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars — Saturday, Jan. 14, 8:15 p.m. ET on NBC
NFC Playoffs
• No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles (Brandon Graham) — first-round bye
• No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (Ambry Thomas) vs. No. 7 Seattle Seahawks — Saturday, Jan. 14, 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX
• No. 3 Minnesota Vikings (Josh Metellus) vs. No. 6 New York Giants (Ben Bredeson) — Sunday, Jan. 15, 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX
• No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Tom Brady) vs. No. 5 Dallas Cowboys (Sean McKeon) — Monday, Jan. 16, 8:15 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC
Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL fared in Week 18.
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Completed 13 of his 17 pass attempts for 84 yards and 1 touchdown, before being pulled to rest before halftime in the 8-9 Buccaneers’ 30-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons … Connected on 66.8 percent of his passes for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns with 9 interceptions in 17 games on an offense that ranks 32nd in the league with only 76.9 rushing yards per game … His 490 completions and 733 pass attempts for the year are both NFL single-season records … His 8-9 season marked his first regular season finish with a losing record in his 23-year career.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
Started and played every offensive snap — 37 at left guard, 26 at center — during the 9-7-1 Giants’ 22-16 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … That marked his eighth start and 11th appearance of the season … Has a 56.7 overall PFF grade with 11 pressures and no sacks given up this year.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Played just eight snaps in the 9-8 Steelers’ 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … He started his first 14 appearances but came off the bench in the last three … Saw time in 17 games, racking up 81 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 2 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped 14 times in the 8-8-1 Commanders’ 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Served as the team’s long snapper in all 17 games this year.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Started and registered 1 tackle and 1 quarterback hit in the 14-3 Chiefs’ 31-13 victory over the Los Vegas Raiders … The former Michigan defensive end totaled 39 tackles, 8 stops for loss, 5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, 1 pass breakup, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery while starting all 15 games in which he appeared.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started at center in the 9-8 Steelers’ 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Opened all 17 games this season, posting a 66.2 overall PFF grade with 21 pressures and 2 sacks allowed.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan defensive end made 2 sacks to go along with 3 tackles and 2 forced fumbles in the 14-3 Chiefs’ 31-13 triumph over the Las Vegas Raiders … Tallied 27 tackles, 3 stops for loss, 5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 2 forced fumbles in 13 games off the bench.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Was inactive for the 12-4 Bengals’ 27-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens … Hasn’t played since Week 15 … Recorded 3 receptions for 38 yards and 1 touchdown and returned 10 kicks for 211 yards in 14 appearances with one start.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Started and reeled in 1 catch for 23 yards in the 9-8 Steelers’ 28-14 win over the Cleveland Browns … Is a free agent this offseason … Opened 13 of 17 games, grabbing 19 receptions for 132 yards this season.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Opened the 5-12 Broncos’ 31-28 win over the Los Angeles Chargers at center … Has a 59.3 overall PFF rating with 19 pressures, including 5 sacks, allowed on the year.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Michigan defensive end made his first start of the season for the 14-3 Eagles, who locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a 22-16 victory over the New York Giants … Posted 2 tackles in the win … Totaled 35 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, a career-high 11 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 pass breakup.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
Rushed twice and caught 2 passes for 13 yards in the 7-10 Titans’ 20-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, eliminating his team’s playoff hopes in the do-or-die game … Appeared in 15 games with one start, totaling 25 rushes for 93 yards, 11 receptions for 57 yards, 19 kick returns for 414 yards and 13 special teams tackles.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Saw game action for the third time this season in the 14-3 Chiefs’ 31-13 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, taking two kneel downs and playing seven overall snaps.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Collected 2 tackles while coming off the bench in the 12-4 Bengals’ 27-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens … Totaled 16 tackles and 1 quarterback hit while playing in 15 games with 2 starts.
Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers
Made a career-best 2 tackles in the 10-7 Chargers’ 31-28 setback to the Denver Broncos … Made four appearances and 3 tackles this season.
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Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Made his fourth career start and first of the season, registering 7 tackles (the second-most in a game during his career) and 1 quarterback hit in the 8-8-1 Commanders’ 26-6 win over the Dallas Cowboys … Totaled 11 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in 13 games with one start.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
The former Michigan star and Heisman Trophy runner up made 4 tackles, 2 stops for loss, 2 sacks and 2 quarterback hits in the 9-8 Lions’ 20-16 win over the Green Bay Packers … The Lions fell just short of making the postseason, but eliminated their division rival at Lambeau Field Sunday night … He leads all rookies with 9.5 sacks and is a half-sack shy of the rookie franchise record … Totaled 52 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups … He’s a contender for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award, considered to be just behind New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Played sparingly and did not record any statistics in the 5-13 Rams’ 19-16 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks … Registered 21 tackles and 1 pass breakup in 12 games with four starts.
Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts
Made his NFL debut in the 4-12-1 Colts’ 32-31 loss to the Houston Texans, making 1 tackle.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan tight end played off the bench but didn’t have any stats in the 12-5 Cowboys’ 26-6 loss to the Washington Commanders … Caught 2 passes for 11 yards in 13 games this year.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Made his third start of the season and his career and posted 3 tackles and 3 pass breakups in the 13-4 Vikings’ 29-13 win over the Chicago Bears … Was named a team captain before the regular-season finale, after Brian O’Neill, one of the team’s captains, was placed on injured reserve … Played in 17 games with three starts, generating 43 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 5 pass breakups and 1 interception.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Made his second career appearance and notched a strip sack in the 10-7 Ravens’ 27-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard in the 8-9 Patriots’ 35-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Started all 17 games … His 79.3 overall PFF grade ranked fourth on the Patriots’ offense … Allowed 14 pressures and 1 sack.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Recorded 1 tackle in the 4-12-1 Colts’ 32-31 loss to the Houston Texans … Played in 12 games, starting all 12, and made 45 tackles, 10 stops for loss, 6 sacks, 10 quarterback hits and 1 fumble recovery.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan wideout caught 2 passes for 42 yards in the 7-10 Browns’ 28-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Notched career bests and ranked second on the team in both catches (61) and receiving yards (839) with 3 touchdowns in 17 games with 14 starts.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Played off the bench but left the game early with an ankle injury and did not record any stats in the 8-9 Patriots’ 35-23 setback to the Buffalo Bills … Totaled 60 tackles, 2 stops for loss and 1 fumble recovery in 17 games with five starts.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started at right guard in the 8-9 Packers’ 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, ending the team’s season in disappointing defeat … Opened all 17 games, posting a 63.1 overall PFF grade with 17 pressures and three sacks given up.
Michael Schofield III (2009-13), OL, Chicago Bears
Seen action in 12 games with five starts … Did not play in the 3-14 Bears’ 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Did not play with an ankle injury in the 13-4 49ers’ 38-13 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Totaled 13 tackles in 15 games.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
The former Michigan edge rusher played off the bench but did not record any statistics in the 8-9 Patriots’ 35-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills … Tallied 27 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, 9 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 15 outings.
Chase Winovich (2015-18), DE, Cleveland Browns
Started and made 5 tackles in the 7-10 Browns’ 28-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers … Played in eight games with two starts, registering 20 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 3 quarterback hits, 1 sack and 1 pass breakup.
Injured reserve
The following are Michigan football players who are currently on teams but listed as on the injured reserve:
• Seahawks DT Bryan Mone
• Texans WR Nico Collins
• Saints OL Cesar Ruiz
• Steelers DL Chris Wormley
• Packers OLB Rashan Gary
• Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis
• Titans OL Taylor Lewan
• Patriots K Quinn Nordin
• Patriots OL Andrew Stueber
• Cowboys TE Ian Bunting
• Ravens LB Josh Ross
• Falcons OL Jalen Mayfield
• Browns DE Chase Winovich
Practice squad
The following are former Michigan players on NFL practice squads:
• WR Daylen Baldwin — Browns
• CB Vincent Gray — Saints
• DB Brad Hawkins — Patriots
• LB Carlo Kemp — Chargers
