Michigan football alumni continue to break out in NFL Week 10
The NFL is approaching the final stretch of the season, and Michigan players are rising to the occasion.
Aidan Hutchinson and Kwity Paye returned to top form, while Ambry Thomas and other defensive backs have continued to make plays on the back end.
Missing from this week’s list, however, are any offensive players. Again. Nico Collins was out hurt, and Donovan Peoples-Jones continues to get up to speed in the Lions offense. Expect to see those two have big games in the coming weeks as Detroit shifts to a more explosive passing offense and Collins returns to top form for a playoff push.
Either way, here are the top five players from this past week’s NFL action.
Daxton Hill, S, Bengals
Hill continues to be a standout player for Cincinnati. The second-year defensive back continued his breakout season with seven tackles and two pass breakups against the Houston Texans.
Hill is third on the team in tackles, second in pass breakups and tied for third in sacks and interceptions. He has transformed into a do-it-all tool for the Bengals, capable of covering and defending the run exceedingly well.
Josh Metellus, S, Vikings
From one breakout safety to another.
Metellus, like Hill, is in the midst of enjoying a breakout season. Sunday, he recorded a team high seven tackles including a TFL.
Minnesota is starting Metellus over former first round pick Lewis Cine, and he is paying dividends. Much like at Michigan, Metellus is used as a linebacker/safety hybrid, and is leading all defensive backs in pressures with 14.
Kwity Paye, Edge, Colts
Paye is back!
After recording a sack each of the first three weeks of the season, Paye went through a four-game drought. The streak ended last week with a half sack against the Panthers, but Paye fully rebounded this week with a full sack and three tackles in Germany against the Patriots.
Add Paye to the list of former first round Michigan players playing themselves into an extension.
Ambry Thomas, CB, 49ers
This should be the first time Thomas appears in a ProBlue article this season.
Thomas has been playing mostly special teams this season, but got some defensive reps on Sunday and capitalized. Thomas recorded three tackles, but forced and recovered a crucial fumble that was originally returned for a touchdown but overturned to just a recovery.
Thomas had a great day in coverage as well. San Francisco needs a second cornerback to start across from Charvarious Ward, and Thomas might be the answer.
Aidan Hutchinson, Edge, Lions
Like Mariah Carey every holliday season, he’s baaaack.
It’s been over a month since Hutchinson recorded a sack, and the same amount of time since he’s made our weekly list. That changed with his strong showing against the Chargers.
Hutch registered three tackles but also tallied three QB hits, showing his consistent pressure. The Lions desperately need to add a second pass rusher to take pressure of Hutchinson. He is the only consistent threat to the QB, and teams double or triple team him as a result.
