Wolverines in the NFL: Aidan Hutchinson firmly in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year award
Former Michigan Wolverines football defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the 2021 Heisman Trophy runner-up, is having a standout rookie season with the Detroit Lions, and he’s coming off a big game. Now, he’s one of the top candidates to win the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award after being picked No. 2 overall.
Hutchinson helped Detroit to its second-straight win — marking the franchise’s first two-game win streak since 2020 — a thrilling 31-30 comeback over the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Hutchinson was second on the team with 8 tackles, added a huge fourth-quarter sack, a quarterback hit and a stop for loss. He also affected the play when Chicago quarterback Justin Fields threw a pick-six to tie the game at 24-24 early in the fourth quarter.
Hutchinson has 5.5 sacks on the season, which leads his team and all rookies. His 26 pressures are tied for the most among first-year NFL players.
The former Michigan star isn’t the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he has the third-best odds as it stands now (+1100), behind New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (-165) and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (+250).
Much of the debate heading into the 2022 NFL Draft had to do with where Hutchinson stood among the top edge rushers in his class. Georgia’s Travon Walker went No. 1 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux was selected No. 5 to the New York Giants.
At this point, through more than half of the 2022 season, Hutchinson has been the most productive. Walker has 2.5 sacks on the season, while Thibodeaux has just 1. Both trail Hutchinson in Defensive Rookie of the Year odds at +3500.
Here’s a complete update on every former Michigan player in the NFL following Week 10.
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Tom Brady (Played at Michigan from 1995-99), QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Connected on 22 of his 29 passes for 258 yards and 2 touchdowns with 1 interception in a 21-16 win over the Seattle Seahawks in Germany … Has completed 66 percent of his passes (12th in the NFL) for 2,805 yards (second) with 12 touchdowns and 2 interceptions while starting all 10 games for the 5-5 Buccaneers, who have won two-straight games.
Devin Bush Jr. (2016-18), LB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan linebacker recorded 3 tackles in a 20-10 win over the New Orleans Saints … Has tallied 47 stops (29 solo), including 1 for loss, 1 quarterback hit and 1 pass breakup while starting all nine games for the 3-6 Steelers.
Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders
Snapped 9 times in Washington’s 32-21 win over the Philadelphia Eagles Monday night … Has snapped in all 10 contests for the 5-5 Commanders.
Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Suspended two games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, with the ruling stemming from his March 2021 arrest and subsequent no-contest plea to two counts of misdemeanor possession of an assault weapon … Set to return Week 11 against the Chargers … Has started seven outings with 15 tackles, including 4 for loss and 3 sacks, 7 quarterback hits and 1 safety for the 7-2 Chiefs.
Mason Cole (2014-17), OL, Pittsburgh Steelers
The former Michigan offensive lineman posted a 71.9 overall PFF grade with a team-best 84.3 pass-blocking rating in a 20-10 win over the New Orleans Saints … Has opened all nine tilts at center for the 3-6 Steelers.
Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans
Notched his second career score and first of the season on a 13-yard reception in a 24-16 setback to the New York Giants … Totaled 5 catches for 49 yards for the game … Has started five of seven games for the 1-7-1 Texans, hauling in 23 catches for 354 yards and 1 touchdown.
Mike Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Tallied 3 tackles in a 27-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars … Has registered 9 tackles and 1 quarterback hit in 5 games off the bench.
Chris Evans (2016-20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Had a bye over the weekend … Has brought back 10 kicks for 211 yards and caught 2 passes for 30 yards while appearing in all nine contests for the 5-4 Bengals.
Zach Gentry (2015-18), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Was targeted once but did not record any statistics in a 20-10 victory over the New Orleans Saints … Has made 12 receptions for 92 yards while starting six of nine clashes for the 3-6 Steelers.
Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Denver Broncos
Started and played every offensive snap at center in a 17-10 loss to the Tennessee Titans … Recently lost his starting right guard job, where he started four outings, but has filled in for the injured Lloyed Cushenberry (groin), starting at center in Week 10 … Has notched five starts in nine appearances for the 3-6 Broncos.
Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles
Posted 2 tackles in a 32-21 loss to the Washington Commanders Monday evening … Has come off the bench in eight contests to register 18 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 3 sacks and 7 quarterback hits for the 8-1 Eagles.
Hassan Haskins (2018-21), RB, Tennessee Titans
Returned 1 kick for 17 yards in a 17-10 triumph over the Denver Broncos … Has rushed 10 times for 42 yards, caught 3 passes for 7 yards and returned 15 kicks for 325 yards with a 37-yard long in nine games for the 6-3 Titans.
Chad Henne (2004-07), QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Has played in two contests during mop-up duty for the 7-2 Chiefs.
Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals
The former Michigan defensive back had a bye this week … Has opened one contest and appeared in all nine for the 5-4 Bengals, tallying 3 tackles.
Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders
Played 20 special teams snaps but did not record any statistics in a 32-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles Monday night … Has made six appearances, playing almost exclusively on special teams, and recorded 2 tackles for the 5-5 Commanders, after being activated from the practice squad Week 5.
Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions
Was second on the team with 8 tackles while adding 1 sack, a tackle for loss and a hit on the quarterback in a 31-30 win over the Chicago Bears … Has started all nine clashes for the 3-6 Lions, helping his team to a two-game win streak … Has totaled 28 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 5.5 sacks (leads team and NFL’s rookies), 10 quarterback hurries, 1 pass breakup and 1 interception … His 28 pressures are tied for first among the league’s first-year players, per PFF.
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David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Los Angeles Rams
Made his second start of the season and recorded 3 tackles and 1 pass breakup in a 27-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals … Has started two of his six appearances for the 3-6 Rams, registering 15 tackles and 1 pass breakup.
Sean McKeon (2016-19), TE, Dallas Cowboys
Made 1 reception for 1 yard in a 31-28 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Has played in 5 games as a backup for the 6-3 Cowboys, with 2 catches for 11 yards.
Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings
Posted 1 tackle in a 33-30 win over the Buffalo Bills … Has recorded 23 tackles, 2 pass breakups and 1 interception in nine appearances with one start for the 8-1 Vikings.
Bryan Mone (2014-18), DT, Seattle Seahawks
The former Michigan defensive tackle did not play in the Seahawks’ 21-16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday in Germany … Has racked up 17 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, and 1 quarterback hurry in nine games with two starts for the 6-4 Seahawks.
David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Began practicing with the team Nov. 2 after being activated to the roster the prior day, following a torn Achilles he suffered at Michigan’s pro day in March … Expected to make his career debut Nov. 20 against the Carolina Panthers.
Michael Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots
Had a bye over the weekend … Has started all nine games at right guard for the 5-4 Patriots.
Kwity Paye (2017-19), DE, Indianapolis Colts
Started and played 18 defensive snaps but did not register any statistics in a 25-20 win over the Las Vegas Raiders … Returned to action in Week 9 after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 5 … Has made seven starts in as many contests for the 4-5-1 Colts, who fired their head coach, Frank Reich, Nov. 7 … Has tallied 24 tackles, 6 for loss, 4 sacks and 6 quarterback hits.
Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns
The former Michigan wideout opened a 39-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins and had 5 catches for a season-high 99 yards … Has opened seven of nine clashes for the 3-6 Browns, nabbing 35 receptions for 516 yards (second on team in both categories) … Just 81 yards shy of his career-best (597 in 2021).
Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), S, New England Patriots
Team had a bye … Has notched 33 tackles, including 1 for loss, and 1 fumble recovery in nine games with two starts for the 5-4 Patriots.
Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), OL, New Orleans Saints
Started a 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, posting a 49.7 overall PFF rating with an 88.5 pass-blocking grade that led the team … Has started all 10 games at right guard and played every offensive snap (608 at right guard, 33 at center) for the 3-7 Saints.
Jon Runyan (2015-19), OL, Green Bay Packers
Started at right guard in a 31-28 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, recording a 74.6 overall PFF grade and a team-best 88.4 pass-blocking rating … Has opened all 10 outings on the offensive line for the 4-6 Packers, playing left guard in the first six contests before starting the last three at right guard.
Ambry Thomas (2017-19), CB, San Francisco 49ers
Did not play in a 22-16 win over the Los Angeles Chargers Sunday night … Has played in eight games for the 5-4 49ers, with 6 tackles off the bench.
Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots
Had a bye … Had a relatively quiet start to the season but exploded in his last two games, with 1 and 3 sacks in wins over the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, respectively … Has totaled 11 tackles, 4 for loss, 4 sacks and 3 quarterback hits in seven appearances off the bench.
Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Notched 2 tackles in a 20-10 win over the New Orleans Saints … Has posted 20 tackles, including 3 for loss, in nine games with one start for the 3-6 Steelers.
Injured reserve
The following are Michigan football players who are currently on teams but listed as on the injured reserve:
• Packers OLB Rashan Gary
• Giants OL Ben Bredeson
• 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
• DE Taco Charlton — Saints
• CB Vincent Gray — Sainrts
• DB Brad Hawkins — Patriots
• LB Carlo Kemp — Chargers
• LB Cameron McGrone — Patriots
