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Wolverines in the NFL: Kwity Paye reaches career high in sacks, Nico Collins enjoys huge performance

clayton-sayfieby: Clayton Sayfie12/05/23CSayf23
Nico Collins
(Photo by Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports)

Former Michigan Michigan Wolverines football defensive end Kwity Paye has battled some injuries during the course of his career but come out the other end stronger.

He’s having his best season as a pass rusher in his third campaign, hitting his career best with 7.5 sacks via his first multi-sack performance in a 31-28 win over the Tennessee Titans this past weekend. His previous high was 6 sacks in 12 games last season. Paye has appeared in 11 tilts this year. The game was only his second career multi-sack day.

With his team up just three points, 22-19, at the beginning of the third quarter, Paye had a strip sack on quarterback Will Levis at Tennessee’s own 22-yard line, recovering the ball, leading to a Colts field goal that proved to be the difference in the game. Later in the stanza, Paye had another strip sack, that one recovered by Tennessee.

Elsewhere in the AFC, former Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins had a massive day, achieving career highs in receptions (9) and receiving yards (191) with 1 touchdown in a 22-17 win over the Denver Broncos.

Collins is currently 10th in the NFL with 991 receiving yards on the season. All but one player ahead of him has played in 12 games, while Collins has competed in 11. He’s grabbed 85 receptions with 6 touchdowns. Over the last two weeks, Collins has racked up 16 catches for an NFL-best 295 yards with 2 touchdowns.

Here’s a look at how every former Michigan player in the NFL performed in Week 13.

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

Returned 2 punts for a total of 3 yards in a 42-19 blowout win over the Philadelphia Eagles … Caught 4 passes for 51 yards and a score in 12 games for the 9-3 49ers.

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

Had a bye over the weekend … Started all 11 games in which he’s played for the 4-7 Giants.

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

The former Michigan linebacker totaled 2 tackles in a 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night … Has 7 tackles, including 1 for loss, in eight games this season for the 6-6 Seahawks.

Zach Charbonnet (2019-20), RB Seattle Seahawks

Started for the second straight week with starter Kenneth Walker III injured, and notched career highs in rushing attempts (19) and yards (60), scoring his first career touchdown … The rookie added a catch for 39 yards.

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

Snapped in all 13 outings or the 4-9 Commanders, including in this past weekend’s 45-15 setback to the Miami Dolphins.

Frank Clark (2011-14), DE, Seattle Seahawks

Notched 1 tackle in a 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys … Totaled 8 tackles on the season, including 6 during his six outings after being picked up by the Seahawks.

Mason Cole (2014-17), OL Pittsburgh Steelers

Started at center in a 24-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, posting a 69.4 overall grade with 2 pressures and no sacks allowed … The former Michigan offensive lineman has opened all 12 outings for the 7-5 Steelers.

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

Started and reached season-highs with 9 catches and 191 receiving yards with a 3-yard touchdown catch in a 22-17 win over the Denver Broncos … Reeled in a team-high 59 catches for 991 yards and 6 touchdowns in 11 games for the 7-5 Texans.

Michael Danna (2019), DE, Kansas City Chiefs

The former Michigan defensive end has recorded 4 tackles, 1 stop for loss, 1 sack and a quarterback hit in a 27-19 loss to the Green Bay Packers … Opened all 12 games for the 8-4 Chiefs, totaling 49 tackles, 7 for loss, 6.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits and 2 pass breakups.

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

Inactive for the second straight week … Played in eight outings for the 6-6 Bengals, who beat the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday night … Rushed twice for 12 yards, caught 1 pass for minus-1 yard and returned 2 kicks for 45 yards on the year.

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

The former Michigan edge rusher started and posted 4 tackles, a half-sack and a tackle for loss in a 27-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs … Tallied 34 tackles, 9 sacks, 6 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and a pass breakup in 12 games with eight starts for the 6-6 Packers.

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

Started at right guard and moved over to center due to a Frank Ragnow injury in a 33-28 win over the New Orleans Saints, pushing the Lions’ record to 9-3 for the first time since 1962 … Graded out with the team’s best PFF pass-blocking grade (86.1), allowing only 1 pressure on 28 snaps in pass pro … Had a 76.0 overall rating (fourth-best on the team) in the win … Started 10 of 12 games for the Lions this season.

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

The former Michigan defensive end had a tackle in a 42-19 loss to the San Francisco 49ers … Tallied 10 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits and a pass breakup in 12 games off the bench for the 10-2 Eagles.

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

Posted 6 tackles and a pass breakup in a 34-31 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday night … Had at least 1 pass breakup in eight of 12 games this season … Started every contest and has totaled 80 tackles, 5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, 2 interceptions and 10 pass breakups.

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

Played as an extra lineman and on special teams in a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Seen action in 11 of 12 clashes for the 7-5 Browns.

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

The former Michigan ‘viper’ started for the fourth time this season, registering 4 tackles and a quarterback hit in a 45-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins … Mostly played special teams but has gotten an opportunity on defense more so since Week 6 … Appeared in 13 games with four starts, totaling 22 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and 2 quarterback hits.

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

Laid 1 hit on the quarterback in a 36-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams … Come off the bench in all 12 games for the 7-5 Browns.

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

The former Michigan Heisman Trophy runner-up checked in with 2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and a quarterback hit with 7 pressures in a 33-28 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

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

Notched 3 tackles and a season-high 2 pass breakups in a 41-35 triumph over the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night … Appeared in 11 games with three starts, totaling 32 tackles, including 1 behind the line of scrimmage, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

David Long Jr. (2016-18), CB, Green Bay Packers

Waived by the Panthers last week and awarded to the Green Bay Packers on waivers Monday … This is his third team this season … He’s appeared in 11 games (eight for the Las Vegas Raiders and three for the Panthers), posting 19 tackles and a pass breakup.

Jalen Mayfield (2018-20), G, New York Giants

Hasn’t played since Week 7 … Appeared in three contests as a reserve for the 4-8 Giants, who had a bye over the weekend.

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

Inactive the last three games for the 7-5 Colts … Appeared in eight contests on special teams.

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

The team captain had a bye over the weekend … Started all 12 outings or the 6-6 Vikings, tallying 81 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 5 stops for loss, 1 interception, 4 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

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

Made all 6 of his extra points and did not attempt a field goal in a 42-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles … Is 17-of-20 on field goals this season for the 9-3 49ers.

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

Out for the season with a shoulder injury after recording 3 tackles in Week 1.

Olu Oluwatimi (2022), C, Seattle Seahawks

Saw six special teams snaps in a 41-35 loss to the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night … Played in 11 outings with one start for the 6-6 Seahawks.

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

Started in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, posting a 53.1 overall PFF rating with 5 pressures and 1 sack allowed … Opened 10 clashes for the 2-10 Patriots.

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

The former Michigan defensive end had his first multi-sack game of the season with a pair of takedowns in a 31-28 win over the Tennessee Titans … Added a season-high 6 tackles and forced 2 fumbles … Appeared in 11 games, starting all of them, for the 7-5 Colts, totaling 39 tackles, 6 stops for loss, a career-high 7.5 sacks, 7 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (2017-19), WR, Detroit Lions

Targeted once but did not have a catch in a 33-28 win over the New Orleans Saints … Had a quiet start to his Lions career after being traded from the Cleveland Browns before Week 10, with no receptions on just 2 targets … With the Browns, he recorded 8 catces for 97 yards and returned 13 punts with a 6.5-yard average.

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

The former Michigan Heisman finalist posted 4 tackles in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers … Totaled 66 tackles, including 5 for loss and a sack, 2 quarterback hits, 1 interception and 6 pass breakups for the 2-10 Patriots.

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

The Michigan rookie punted once, a 33-yard boot that pinned the Jacksonville Jaguars inside their own 20-yard line, in a 34-31 win … Punted 55 times, averaging 44.3 yards per attempt, this season.

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

Started at right guard in a 33-28 win over the Detroit Lions, recording a 48.3 overall PFF grade with 3 pressures and 1 sack allowed … Opened 11 contests for the 5-7 Saints.

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

The former Michigan lineman has opened every game for the 6-56 Packers, who are on a three-game winning streak … Helped his team to a 27-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night, allowing 2 pressures and registering a 54.4 overall PFF rating with a 29.7 grade in pass protection.

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

Caught at least 1 pass in three straight games, including hauling in 1 reception for 12 yards in a 41-35 win over the Seattle Seahawks Thursday night … Totaled 7 catches for 61 yards and 2 scores in 12 appearances off the bench for the 9-3 Cowboys.

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

Did not record any statistics in 11 defensive snaps against the Seattle Seahawks … Made 10 tackles, including 2 for loss and a pair of quarterback hits, in 12 outings this season.

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

The former Michigan cornerback started for the third time this season, posting season highs in tackles (6) and pass breakups (3) in a 42-19 victory over the NFC-leading Philadelphia Eagles … Totaled 30 tackles, 1 interception and 6 pass breakups in 11 games with three starts for the 9-3 49ers.

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

The Michigan rookie started and had a season-high 8 tackles in a 34-31 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday night …

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

Notched 2 tackles, including 1 for loss, in a 6-0 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers … Played in 10 games with two starts, tallying 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss and 4 quarterback hits.

Chris Wormley (2012-16), DE, Carolina Panthers

Reactivated from the practice squad and played eight snaps on defense in a 21-18 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers … Appeared in two contests with 1 tackle this season.

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