We’re three weeks into the NFL season, and more than a few Wolverines are making an impact for their respective teams. Michigan has been a pro factory for a long time now, but the pro talent produced in the last
decade has been especially exceptional.
Let’s kick off this week’s edition of Pro Blue with a defensive end who is off to a hot start.
Rashan Gary posts two sacks, and Mason Graham dominates
A lot of Packers have benefitted from the blockbuster trade for Micah Parsons, but the biggest beneficiary three weeks into the season may be Rashan Gary, who is no longer the main focus for opposing offensive lines. In a loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Gary posted two sacks on critical third downs.
Gary, who has racked up eight tackles so far this season, leads the league with 4.5 sacks. Gary is on pace to blow his season high for sacks (9.5) out of the water.
He wasn’t the only lineman who balled out in this game. Mason Graham, who posted three tackles and half a sack, dominated in the trenches.
In that same game, Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush made seven tackles. He’s posted an impressive 91.3 grade on Pro Football Focus, the fourth-highest among 116 linebackers.
Nico Collins scores for second straight week, racks up 100 yards
The Houston Texans offense has relatively struggled this season, but wide receiver Nico Collins has been a consistent contributor through three weeks. In Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, he caught eight passes for 104 yards, including this 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Through three games, he’s racked up 14 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns, following up his first Pro Bowl season with a hot start. Hopefully that production can help contribute to winning; the Texans have started the season 0-3.
Aidan Hutchinson forces fumble, sacks Lamar Jackson on Monday Night Football
The Detroit Lions improved to 12-2 in primetime games under Dan Campbell after beating the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football, 38-30. The Lions always seem to play their best when the lights are brightest, and Aidan Hutchinson is no exception, as he forced a Derrick Henry fumble and sacked Lamar Jackson.
After the win, ESPN cameras captured him catching up with former Michigan teammate David Ojabo. Man, that duo terrorized quarterbacks in Ann Arbor.
Through three weeks, Hutchinson has posted a defense grade of 80.1, a mark that ranks 16th among 114 qualified edge defenders.
In that same game, center Graham Glasgow helped the Lions rush for 224 yards and four scores without giving up a sack.
Two former Wolverines pick off quarterbacks
Collins wasn’t the only former Wolverine to make an impact in that AFC South showdown. Veteran cornerback Jourdan Lewis picked off C.J. Stroud in the fourth quarter.
Lewis finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss and two pass breakups. Through three weeks, Lewis has posted a 72.4 defense grade on Pro Football Focus, a mark that’s 16th out of 94 qualifying cornerbacks. This was the second interception of the season for Lewis, who joined the Jaguars after eight seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
Josh Metellus also had an interception on Sunday, picking off Cincinnati quarterback Jake Browning in a blowout victory for the Minnesota Vikings.
Metellus finished with five tackles.
Other notable performances
- Indianapolis Colts edge Kwity Paye posted his first sack of the season in a win over the Tennessee Titans.
- In a win over the New England Patriots — the team that surprisingly waived him right before the season started — Jabrill Pappers posted six tackles.
- In a win over the Las Vegas Raiders, Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil racked up five tackles.
- In a win over the New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris had five tackles and a tackle for loss.
- In a win over the Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland caught a pass for 31 yards before leaving the game early due to a hip injury.
- In that loss to the Minnesota Vikings, safety Dax Hill and cornerback D.J. Turner combined for four tackles for the Bengals.
- In a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum rushed for 53 yards on eight carries. In that same game, Josh Uche made a tackle for the Eagles.
- In a loss to the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Kenneth Grant posted two tackles.
