Michigan nears the top of the list of colleges to produce NFL talent.
Over the weekend, Michigan set a program record for NFL Draft picks in one season with 13. While nearing the all-time record set by Georgia a few years ago at 15, the Wolverines fell just shy. However, between the 13 draft picks and the six undrafted free agents entering the NFL ranks this offseason, there will be several reunions between former Michigan teammates.
With obviously a lot still up in the air regarding free agent signings and training camp battles, here’s where each former Michigan Wolverine is currently scheduled to be this fall. Note that we included the UDFA’s from this year, but not from previous years unless they’ve signed an NFL contract since then.
NFC North
Chicago Bears (0): None
Detroit Lions (4): K James Turner, DE Aidan Hutchinson, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, OL Graham Glasgow
Green Bay Packers (3): OL Trente Jones, LB Rashan Gary, DB Gemon Green
Minnesota Vikings (3): QB J.J. McCarthy, S Josh Metellus, WR Daylen Baldwin
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys (3): DL Mazi Smith, TE Luke Schoonmaker, DB Jourdan Lewis
New York Giants (2): OL Jalen Mayfield, OL Jon Runyan
Philadelphia Eagles (2): OL Trevor Keegan, DE Brandon Graham
Washington Commanders (1): DB Mike Sainristil
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons (0): None
Carolina Panthers (1): LB Michael Barrett
New Orleans Saints (2): C Cesar Ruiz, LB Khaleke Hudson
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1): OL Ben Bredeson
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals (0): None
Los Angeles Rams (2): RB Blake Corum, DB Josh Wallace
San Francisco 49ers (4): OL Drake Nugent, K Jake Moody, WR Ronnie Bell, DB Ambry Thomas
Seattle Seahawks (3): TE A.J. Barner, DL Mike Morris, C Olu Oluwatimi
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens (2): LB David Ojabo, LB Josh Ross
Cincinnati Bengals (5): DL Kris Jenkins, DB D.J. Turner, P Brad Robbins, DB Daxton Hill, RB Chris Evans
Cleveland Browns (4): OL Zak Zinter, LB Devin Bush Jr., DL Maurice Hurst II, DB Vincent Gray
Pittsburgh Steelers (1): WR Roman Wilson
AFC East
Buffalo Bills (0): None
Miami Dolphins (1): OL Ryan Hayes
New England Patriots (4): OL Andrew Stueber, LB Josh Uche, OL Michael Onwenu, S Jabrill Peppers
New York Jets (1): DE Braiden McGregor
AFC South
Houston Texans (2): OL LaDarius Henderson, WR Nico Collins
Indianapolis Colts (2): DE Kwity Paye, LB Cameron McGrone
Jacksonville Jaguars (0): None
Tennessee Titans (2): DE Jaylen Harrell, RB Hassan Haskins
AFC West
Denver Broncos (0): None
Kansas City Chiefs (1): DE Michael Danna
Las Vegas Raiders (1): TE Zach Gentry
Los Angeles Chargers (5): LB Junior Colson, WR Cornelius Johnson, OL Karsen Barnhart, FB Ben Mason, DL Christopher Hinton
Notable Free Agents
DB David Long Jr., OL Mason Cole, DL Chris Wormley, DE Frank Clark, OL Michael Schofield, TE Sean McKeon, DL Bryan Mone
Unsurprisingly, Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers lead the way with the most former Wolverines on the roster at this point with five. However, the Chargers are tied with the Cincinnati Bengals who also have five. Teams with four or more Wolverines include the Lions, 49ers, Browns, and Patriots. Only six NFL squads don’t contain any Michigan Wolverines at this point.
Some of the more notable reunions are occurring in Ohio interestingly enough. In Cincinnati, Kris Jenkins will join his former teammates D.J. Turner, Daxton Hill, and Brad Robbins. Elsewhere in Cleveland, Zak Zinter will reunite with former teammate Vincent Gray who overlapped with Zinter for two years in Ann Arbor.
Lastly, the recipient of J.J. McCarthy’s first touchdown pass in Ann Arbor, Daylen Baldwin, will be fighting for a roster spot in Minnesota. Catching passes from his former quarterback might help his case.