How every Michigan DB in the NFL performed this season
Michigan football has a long tradition of pushing out NFL talent. Especially on the defensive side of the ball. A lot of the focus is on the defensive line, but the Wolverines have been churning out terrific defensive backs in the last couple of years with starters like Josh Metellus, Jabrill Peppers, Daxton Hill, DJ Turner, and more.
The pipeline is expected to continue flowing in the coming years as well. The 2024 draft features Mike Sainristil, while 2025 and beyond will have Will Johnson, Keon Sabb, Rod Moore, and a number of other high-level underclassmen.
Here is a breakdown of how every Michigan defensive back performed this season.
S, Daxton Hill, Cincinnati Bengals
Daxton Hill was drafted with the 31st overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft.
Hill started all 17 games and recorded 110 tackles, 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 11 passes defended, and two interceptions.
CB, DJ Turner, Cincinnati Bengals
DJ Turner was drafted with the 60th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
Turner started 12 of the 17 games he played in. He recorded 50 tackles with two tackles for loss, one sack, and seven passes defensed.
The speedster had an overall good rookie campaign that saw him start next to fellow Wolverine Daxton Hill for the majority of the season. The expectation is that Turner will continue to develop into a high-quality starter in the NFL.
CB, Vincent Gray, Cleveland Browns
Vincent Gray is on a future/reserves contract with the Cleveland Browns.
Gray appeared in just one game in 2023 in which he played extensively as a cornerback and recorded two pass breakups and five total tackles.
CB, Jourdan Lewis, Dallas Cowboys
Jourdan Lewis finished the third and final year of his extension with the Cowboys. He will be a free agent pending an extension this March.
Lewis started eight of the 16 games that he appeared in and recorded 52 tackles, with two tackles for loss, five passes defended, three forced fumbles, and one interception.
S, Josh Metellus, Minnesota Vikings
Josh Metellus finished the first year of his two-year extension with the Minnesota Vikings, who drafted him with the 205th overall pick in the 2020 draft.
Metellus recorded 116 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five passes defended, four forced fumbles, and one interception.
Metellus enjoyed a terrific breakout year for the Vikings that saw him snatch a starting role out of seemingly nowhere. He is expected to be a big part of the Vikings’ defense future.
S, Jabrill Peppers, New England Patriots
The Lemon Pepper Stepper finished his one-year contract with the Patriots.
Peppers started all 15 of the games he appeared in and recorded 78 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions.
The former five-star recruit had his best season as a pro and cemented his spot as one of the top safeties in the game. Peppers is set to hit free agency and should garner a lot of attention.
CB, Ambry Thomas, San Francisco 49ers
Ambry Thomas finished the third year of his rookie contract after getting drafted 102nd overall in 2021.
Thomas started six of the 15 games he played in and recorded 43 tackles with one forced fumble, seven passes defensed, and one interception.
