Ten former Michigan football players in the NFL to watch in 2024

Michigan Wolverines football has 70 players who have been in NFL training camps ahead of the 2024 season. Here, we focus on 10 who are most worthy of watching this year (though many others will make big impacts).

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WR Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Helping the Texans make the postseason for the first time since 2019, Collins paced the NFC South team with 80 receptions, 1,297 receiving yards and 8 touchdown grabs. Per ESPN, Collins is the No. 16 receiver for points-per-reception fantasy football leagues in 2024, expected to once again be the top target for second-year Houston signal-caller C.J. Stroud.

RB Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

Head coach Sean McVay is known for holding key players out of preseason games, and Corum is in that group. He didn’t appear in either of the Rams’ first two clashes, since he’s expected to have a big role this fall. Corum will share the backfield with second-year pro Kyren Williams, who led the team with 1,144 rushing yards a year ago.

LB Rashan Gary, Green Bay Packers

After totaling a team-high 9 sacks and 7 tackles for loss last season, Gary was voted by his peers as the No. 50 overall player in the NFL. He signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension last season, showing the Packers’ trust in his ability to impact the franchise — and make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks — well into the future.

OL Graham Glasgow, Detroit Lions

Heading into his ninth NFL season, Glasgow is projected to start at right guard on what Pro Football Focus considers to be the best offensive line in the league. He signed a three-year, $20 million contract with Detroit after shining a year ago, when he started 18 of 20 total contests. Glasgow and the Lions made the NFC championship game last season, falling to San Francisco, and are poised to contend at the top of the conference once again.

DE Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles

Following a 3-sack and 30-quarterback pressure campaign in 2023, Graham is entering his 15th and final season as a professional, he announced in late-July. He’s totaled 73 sacks and 120 tackles for loss in regular seasons to this point.

DE Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions

The No. 47 player in the league as voted on by his peers, Hutchinson is regarded as one of the top pass rushers in the world. He was second in the NFL with 121 pressures a year ago, and he checked in tied 12th with 11.5 sacks. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Lions have the fourth-best odds to win the Super Bowl (+1200).

C Olu Oluwatimi, Seattle Seahawks

Listed atop the team’s unofficial depth chart at center, Oluwatimi is set to go from backup to starter in his second season. The team recently traded away center Nick Harris after Oluwatimi impressed with 45 snaps in a preseason win over the Los Angeles Chargers, signaling confidence in the former winner of the Outland (best interior lineman) and Rimington (best center) trophies.

OL Mike Onwenu, New England Patriots

This offseason, Onwenu inked a three-year, $57 million contract to remain with the Patriots. He’s slated as the starter at right tackle, after finishing 24th among NFL tackles with a 71.5 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2023 (minimum 700 snaps).

DE Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts

NFL trainer Eddy McGilvera, who’s known for developing defensive linemen, proclaimed in July that he’d “never seen a guy have an offseason like Kwity Paye” as the former Michigan star is heading into his fourth campaign in the league. Paye was second on the Colts with 8.5 sacks a season ago and is currently listed as a starter at defensive end.

CB Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders

One of the few Michigan rookies projected to start right away, Sainristil plays the ‘star’ — or nickel back — position for a Commanders team entering a new era under head man Dan Quinn. Washington defensive backs coach Tommy Donatell said this about Sainristil during training camp: “This dude triggers. When he sees something, he goes. There’s no hesitation in this guy’s game.”

Michigan players at NFL training camps

*Finished college career at school other than Michigan
^Has been cut from team
#Has been placed on reserve/injured list