Thirty-five former Michigan football players make initial 53-man NFL rosters
NFL teams were mandated to cut their rosters down to 53 men Tuesday by 4 p.m. ET. Thirty-five (35) former Michigan Wolverines football players have landed on rosters ahead of the season. Sixty (60) Wolverines participated in NFL training camps in some form or fashion, but 25 were cut along the way. They all have the opportunity to make practice squads (each team gets 16 practice-only players).
San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Maurice Hurst, New England Patriots offensive lineman Andrew Stueber and Patriots kicker Quinn Nordin didn’t make initial rosters due to injuries. Hurst tore his bicep and is on the reserve/injured list. Stueber (torn hamstring) and Nordin, meanwhile, have been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Here’s a look at every former Michigan player who made a 53-man NFL roster.
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The former Michigan quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion is ready for his 23rd NFL season after retiring early in the offseason but returning after 40 days.
Ben Bredeson (2016-19), OL, New York Giants
The former Michigan guard is competing at right guard for the Giants, but he left practice with an elbow injury a couple weeks back.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The fourth-year pro is considered a co-starter at linebacker for the Steelers, who declined to pick up Bush’s fifth-year option.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
One of three special teams-only players on the Commanders’ roster, Cheeseman is the team’s starting long snapper.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Listed as a starter for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan offensive lineman is expected to open games at center for the Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Projected to start at receiver … Texans head coach Lovie Smith said Collins is capable of being the team’s big-play threat.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Expected to start at defensive end opposite former Michigan edge rusher Frank Clark.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ third-string running back has also excelled as a kick returner … Broke a 77-yard return in the preseason.
Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan EDGE is expected to have a breakout season for the Packers … He registered a team-leading 9.5 sacks with 8 tackles for loss and 28 quarterback hits in 2021.
“He looks like he was shot out of a cannon at the quarterback,” Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com wrote recently. “The guy is quickly becoming a nightmare for offenses to deal with. Gary could always rush speed to power but now he’s mixing in more technique and fundamentals. Pads or no pads, it’s becoming increasingly more difficult for offensive linemen to get their hands on him. That’s why Matt LaFleur said last week that Gary might have had 4 sacks in last week’s practice if he were allowed.”
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan tight end is backing up Pat Freiermuth at the tight end position for the Steelers.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Expected to be the Broncos’ second-string left guard … He missed the final eight games of last season with a broken ankle and spent some of the offseason recovering.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Returning after missing all but two games last season with an ACL injury, Graham is listed as a starting defensive end.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
The rookie is a reserve running back, one of five players at his position on the Titans’ roster.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
The former Michigan quarterback battled with Shane Buechele for the backup job behind Patrick Mahomes … The club is riding with all three signal-callers to start the year.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
Had an interception in the preseason … Projected as a second-string safety but will move all over the defensive backfield, just like he did at Michigan.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
The No. 2 overall pick notched 3 tackles in the preseason and will start on the defensive line for the Lions.
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Taylor Lewan (2009-13), OL, Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ starting left tackle and former first-round pick is entering his ninth NFL season.
Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys
The former Michigan cornerback tweaked his hamstring in the preseason but is on track to play in next Sunday night’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Listed as the Rams’ second-string right cornerback behind Jalen Ramsey.
Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), OL, Atlanta Falcons
Mayfield started 16 games last season but is listed as the team’s second-stringer at left guard.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
The backup safety and special teamer made the Vikings’ roster for the third straight season.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
Listed as the Seahawks’ backup nose tackle.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Tore his Achilles in the pre-draft process and doesn’t have an exact date for his return, but he said he expects to be on the field as soon as October.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Onwenu is expected to start at right guard.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
The second-year pro notched 4 sacks and 3 tackles for loss last season and will start again for the Colts.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
The starting receiver will be one of the Browns’ top targets this season, after racking up 597 yards and 3 touchdowns last season.
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
The former Michigan defensive back and linebacker is listed as the Patriots’ backup safety behind Devin McCourty and Adrian Phillips.
Josh Ross (2017-21), LB, Baltimore Ravens
The special teamer is also listed as the Ravens’ third-string weakside linebacker … Was not taken in the draft this spring but is Michigan’s only undrafted free agent rookie to land on a roster.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
Expected to open games at right guard … Opened 26 games in his first two professional seasons.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
The former Michigan left tackle is now a guard and playing well at the position … Projected to start at left guard, where he opened 16 of 17 outings last season.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Despite reports that the odds were stacked against him making the 49ers’ 53-man roster, Thomas found himself on it after cuts were made.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
A backup at linebacker, Uche had 3 sacks in 12 games last season.
Chase Winovich (2014-18), DE, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan defender is a second-stringer at defensive end … He missed time during camp with a hamstring injury … Played his first three NFL seasons with the New England Patriots but has a fresh start in Cleveland.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Expected to be a backup at defensive end … Plugged in nicely last season when the Steelers dealt with injuries, starting 14 games and making 7 sacks and 6 tackles for loss.
