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Wolverines in the NFL: Nico Collins ranks top five in receiving yards after career performance

clayton-sayfieby:Clayton Sayfie•10/03/23•

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Nico Collins
(Photo by Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)

Wolverines and Buckeyes can coexist. Former Michigan football wide receiver Nico Collins and former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud are proving that right now for the Houston Texans.

Collins has been the rookie quarterback’s favorite target and is producing at a level that only a few other wide receivers are through four weeks. The former Michigan wideout is fifth in the league with 428 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns on 22 catches. He also paces the NFL with 195 yards after the catch.

Collins had his best day yet in a 30-6 blowout win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, hauling in 7 catches for a career-best 168 yards and 2 touchdowns. It was the first game in his career with multiple scores, and he’s now up to 6 touchdown receptions in 28 NFL games. His second score of the game came when the Texans had the win firmly in hand, with Stroud hitting him on a flag route on 3rd and 6 for a 52-yard touchdown.

Collins is generating a lot of fantasy football buzz. The former Michigan standout is a top-20 receiver for Week 5 heading into a game against Atlanta, per CBS Sports’ Chris Towers, who said it’s “a testament to how good he’s been to open what has been a significant breakout season for him.”

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 4:

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Ronnie Bell (played at Michigan from 2018-22), WR, San Francisco 49ers

Caught 1 pass for 7 yards in a 35-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Hauled in 3 receptions for 31 yards and 1 touchdown in four appearances … The 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles are the only two remaining undefeated teams in the NFL.

Ben Bredeson (2016-19), G, New York Giants

Returned to the starting lineup and played both left guard and center after missing the previous game with a concussion … Allowed 2 pressures and 1 sack, and also caught 1 pass, in a 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks Monday night … Opened the first two outings at left guard for the 1-2 Giants.

Devin Bush (2016-18), LB, Seattle Seahawks

Played off the bench on defense and special teams in a 24-3 victory over the New York Giants but did not register any statistics … Appeared in three outings with one start for the 3-1 Seahawks, tallying 3 tackles.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks

Ran 5 times for 31 yards and caught 1 pass for 9 yards in a 24-3 win over the New York Giants Monday night … Rushed for 104 yards on 21 carries and reeled in 4 receptions for 22 yards while appearing in all four contests for the 3-1 Seahawks.

Camaron Cheeseman (2016-19), LS, Washington Commanders

Snapped in all of the 2-2 Commanders’ games, including in a 34-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles this past weekend.

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Denver Broncos

Missed his third straight game with a hip injury for the 1-3 Broncos … Played and totaled 2 tackles in the season-opener, a 17-16 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders … He told reporters Sept. 28 that he hopes to return by Week 5.

Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at center and ranked second on his team’s offensive line with a 63.2 overall PFF grade in a 30-6 loss to the Houston Texans … Gave up 2 pressures … Opened all four contests for the 2-2 Steelers.

Nico Collins (2017-19), WR, Houston Texans

Led his team with 7 catches, tying his career-high, and career bests in receiving yards (168) and touchdown receptions (2) in a 30-6 domination of the Pittsburgh Steelers … Ranked second in the league in receiving yards for Week 4 … Paces his 2-2 team in targets (32), catches (22), receiving yards (428) and touchdown catches (3) … His 428 receiving yards rank fifth in the league, behind Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson (543), the Rams’ Puka Nacua (501), Miami’s Tyreek Hill (470) and the Chargers’ Keenan Allen (434) … Collins leads the NFL with 195 yards after catch.

Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Started for the fourth consecutive game and posted 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup in a 23-20 win over the New York Jets Sunday night … The former Michigan defensive end has totaled 15 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 3 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups for the 3-1 Chiefs this season.

Chris Evans (2016-18, 20), RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Saw 6 snaps on special teams in a 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans … That marked his second appearance of the season … Rushed twice for 12 yards and returned 2 kicks for 45 yards on the year.

Rashan Gary (2016-18), LB, Green Bay Packers

The former Michigan defensive end laid 1 hit on the quarterback in a 34-20 loss to the Detroit Lions Thursday night … His 82.4 overall PFF grade led the Packers defense, and he tied atop the team with 4 pressures on Detroit quarterback Jared Goff … His 27.3 pressure percentage in true pass sets leads the NFL among those with over 1 pass-rush snap … His 17 pressures are tied for 13th among NFL edge rushers, and his 89.8 PFF pass-rush grade slots ninth.

Graham Glasgow (2011-15), OL, Detroit Lions

Started his second straight game at right guard for the 3-1 Lions, allowing 3 pressures and a sack in a 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers Thursday night … Played in four games with two starts.

Brandon Graham (2006-09), DE, Philadelphia Eagles

Notched 1 quarterback hit and 1 pass breakup in a 34-31 win over the Washington Commanders … Played in all four games off the bench for the 4-0 Eagles, registering 3 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 2 quarterback hits and 1 pass breakup.

Dax Hill (2019-21), S, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Michigan defensive back started and totaled 8 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup in a 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans … Now has 2 picks on the year, to go along with his team-leading 34 tackles, 4 stops for loss, 1 sack and 3 pass breakups … His 4 tackles for loss and tied for the most among NFL defensive backs.

Christopher Hinton (2019-21), DL, Los Angeles Chargers

Has not appeared in a game yet this season for the 2-2 Chargers.

James Hudson (2017-18), OT, Cleveland Browns

Saw 7 snaps (6 offense, 1 special teams) in a 28-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Played in three games for the 2-2 Browns.

Khaleke Hudson (2016-19), LB, Washington Commanders

Saw 26 snaps on special teams in a 34-31 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles … Appeared in all four contests for the 2-2 Commanders.

Maurice Hurst II (2014-17), DT, Cleveland Browns

The former Michigan defensive tackle posted 4 tackles, 1 pass breakup and a fumble recovery in a 28-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Tallied 10 tackles, a half-sack, 1 tackle for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 2 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble in four games this season.

Aidan Hutchinson (2018-21), DL, Detroit Lions

The former Michigan Heisman Trophy runner-up had 2 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 stop for loss, 3 quarterback hits and a game-high 8 pressures in a 34-20 win over the Green Bay Packers Thursday night … Tied atop the league with 27 pressures and is tied 10th with 3.5 sacks this season, starting all four games for the 3-1 Lions … Added 12 tackles, including 2 for loss, 7 quarterback hits, 3 pass breakups, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery.

Jourdan Lewis (2013-16), CB, Dallas Cowboys

Posted 5 tackles in a 38-3 blowout win over the New England Patriots … Had 8 tackles in three games this season for the 3-1 Cowboys.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Las Vegas Raiders

Made 3 tackles and broke up a pass while playing a season-high 38 defensive snaps in a 24-17 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers … Seen time in four contests, totaling 5 tackles and 1 pass breakup for the 1-3 Raiders.

Cameron McGrone (2018-20), LB, Indianapolis Colts

The former Michigan linebacker was inactive for the Colts’ 29-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Played in three previous games on special teams but hasn’t recorded any stats.

Josh Metellus (2016-19), S, Minnesota Vikings

The former Michigan safety has opened all four games this season, including this weekend’s 21-13 win over the Carolina Panthers, the Vikings’ first win of the season … Tallied 7 tackles, including 1 for loss, and broke up 1 pass in the victory … Has 28 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 quarterback hit and 2 pass breakups this season.

Jake Moody (2018-22), K, San Francisco 49ers

Made all 5 of his extra point attempts in the 4-0 49ers’ 35-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals … Did not try a field goal … Is a perfect 9-for-9 on field goals and 14-for-14 on PATs this season … Ranks tied eighth in the NFL with 41 points and tied sixth with 9 made field goals this season.

Mike Morris (2019-22), DE, Seattle Seahawks

Missed his third straight contest with a shoulder injury, after nothcing 3 tackles in Week 1 for the 3-1 Seahawks.

David Ojabo (2019-21), OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Missed this past weekend’s game with knee/ankle injuries for the 3-1 Ravens … Totaled 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 quarterback hit and 1 forced fumble in three contests this season.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Saw 38 snaps at center off the bench and graded out on PFF as the Seahawks’ best pass blocker (80.3 rating) in a 24-3 win over the New York Giants … Did not allow any pressures … Played off the bench in three outings for the 3-1 Seahawks.

Mike Onwenu (2016-19), OL, New England Patriots

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard in the 1-3 Patriots’ 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, allowing 2 pressures … Started all three of the games in which he’s appeared.

Kwity Paye (2017-20), DE, Indianapolis Colts

The former Michigan defensive end laid 1 hit on the quarterback while starting in a 29-23 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Totaled 12 tackles, 4 for loss, 3 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries while opening all four outings for the 2-2 Colts.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Cleveland Browns

Started and caught 1 pass for 7 yards in a 28-3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens … Also returned 3 punts for 24 yards … Opened three of four games, with 6 receptions for 75 yards and 8 punt returns for 50 yards for the 2-2 Browns.

Jabrill Peppers (2014-16), DB, New England Patriots

Started and had 8 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … The former Michigan Heisman Trophy finalist has racked up 27 tackles, including 2 for loss, with 1 pass breakup this season.

Brad Robbins (2017-22), P, Cincinnati Bengals

Punted 5 times with a 51.4-yard average in a 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans … His 43.3-yard average ranks 28th of 31 qualifying kickers (those with at least 2.5 punts per games played) this season.

Cesar Ruiz (2017-19), C/G, New Orleans Saints

Missed Week 4 with a concussion that he suffered the previous game … Opened the previous three contests at right guard for the 2-2 Saints.

Jon Runyan (2015-19), G, Green Bay Packers

The former Michigan offensive lineman started at right guard and gave up 5 pressures and a sack (to Hutchinson) in a 34-20 loss to the Detroit Lions Thursday night … Started all four games this season for the 2-2 Packers.

Luke Schoonmaker (2018-22), TE, Dallas Cowboys

Targeted 3 times but did not have any catches in a 38-3 win over the New England Patriots … Has 1 catch, a 1-yard touchdown, this season, appearing in all four contests off the bench.

Mazi Smith (2019-22), DT, Dallas Cowboys

Saw time off the bench but did not register any statistics for the 3-1 Cowboys … The former Michigan defensive tackle has 3 stops, including 1 for loss, in four games this season.

Ambry Thomas (2017-20), CB, San Francisco 49ers

Played off the bench and registered 3 tackles in a 35-16 victory over the Arizona Cardinals … Racked up 11 tackles and 1 pass breakups this season, playing in three games for the 4-0 49ers.

DJ Turner II (2019-22), CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Made 1 tackle in a 27-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans … Seen game action in all four weeks of his rookie campaign, tallying 4 tackles and 1 pass breakup.

Josh Uche (2016-19), LB, New England Patriots

The former Michigan outside linebacker made 3 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hits and 2 pressures in a 38-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … Posted 5 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 sacks and 3 quarterback hits on the year.

Tyrone Wheatley Jr. (2015-17), OT, New England Patriots

Inactive for the second straight week, missing the 1-3 Patriots’ 38-3 setback to the Dallas Cowboys … Totaled 5 special teams snaps in two appearances.

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