Michigan football players in NFL playoffs: Detroit Lions tied for most former Wolverines

The NFL playoffs are here, which means several former Wolverines are hoping to become Super Bowl champions in the same year Michigan football won its first College Football Playoff national championship.

Perhaps the most well-known Wolverine participating in the NFL playoffs is Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, the former No. 2 overall pick who has 11.5 sacks for his hometown team this season. There’s also receiver Nico Collins, who leads Houston with 1,297 receiving yards this season, and Green Bay edge rusher Rashan Gary, who has 44 total tackles and nine sacks in 2023-24.

The Lions (12-5) earned the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and they’ll start their trek toward a hopeful championship when they host Los Angeles (10-7) on Sunday. Detroit winning a Super Bowl would cap off quite a few months for some Michiganders.

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Here’s a guide to where each former Wolverine is playing for the NFL playoffs:

How many Michigan football players are in the NFL playoffs?

In all, 11 of 14 NFL playoff teams have some form of Michigan football representation. Twenty-three Wolverines players are in the playoffs, including 15 active players.

Michigan players by NFL team

Detroit Lions

Three former Michigan players are active for Detroit heading into the playoffs — Aidan Hutchinson, offensive guard Graham Glasgow and backup receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones.

Hutchinson, a second-year pro, has emerged as one of the Lions’ leaders and one of the best young pass-rushers in the NFL, whereas Glasgow is a solid multi-year starter for Detroit.

• DE Aidan Hutchinson
• OG Graham Glasgow
• WR Donovan Peoples-Jones

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Houston Texans

There’s only one Wolverine on the Texans roster, but it’s a good one. Collins, a Pro Bowl alternate this season, finished this season with 80 receptions for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. He also set new career-highs in every stat in his third season while catching passes from a college rival in former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

San Francisco 49ers

Cornerback Ambry Thomas, a key contributor in San Francisco’s defense, missed the 49ers’ season finale after undergoing hand surgery, although he’ll reportedly be back for their playoff game against the winner of Tampa Bay and Philadelphia.

Thomas finished the regular season with 43 total tackles and an interception while appearing in 15 games. Former Michigan kicker Jake Moody is also on the roster and has made 21 of 25 field-goal attempts this season.

Here’s the full list of Michigan players for the 49ers:

• CB Ambry Thomas
• K Jake Moody
• WR Ronnie Bell

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Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys receive plenty of contribution from former Michigan players, led by defensive back Jourdan Lewis.

Lewis has had one of his best pro seasons in 2023-24, finishing with 52 total tackles and three forced fumbles along with an interception after being selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Dallas also has a pair of rookies in defensive tackle Mazi Smith and tight end Luke Schoonmaker, who contribute in backups roles.

Here’s the full list of Michigan players for the Cowboys:

• DB Jourdan Lewis
• TE Luke Schoonmaker
• DT Mazi Smith

Green Bay Packers

The Packers boast a pair of former Wolverines as starters, in edge rusher Rashan Gary and offensive guard Jon Runyan.

Gary, who signed a four-year extension worth $107.5 million earlier this season, finished the year with nine sacks before the playoffs. Runyan, a three-year starter, has started all 17 games for Green Bay this season.

Here’s the full list of Michigan players for the Packers:

• EDGE Rashan Gary
• OG Jon Runyan

Philadelphia Eagles

The longest-tenured member of the Eagles is defensive lineman Brandon Graham, a former Michigan first-round pick from 2010.

Graham, 35, is still a key contributor with 16 total tackles and three sacks this season. For his career, he has 73 sacks, 22 forced fumbles and 465 total tackles. He was also a second-team All-Pro selection in 2016.

Here’s the full list of former Michigan players for the Eagles:

Pittsburgh Steelers

Just like the Eagles, the Steelers also have just one former Michigan player on the roster in starting center Mason Cole. He joined Pittsburgh in 2022 and has made 34 starts in two seasons.

Kansas City Chiefs

Rounding out the list of Wolverines in the NFL playoffs is Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna, who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has had his most productive season as a pro in 2023-24. The fourth-year pro has 6.5 sacks this season, which ranks four on Kansas City.