Super Bowl LIX Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Tag: Brandon Graham


9Feb 2025
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Super Bowl LIX Preview: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Brandon Graham

CHIEFS PLAYERS FROM MICHIGAN: DE Mike Danna, OLB Josh Uche, WR Xavier Worthy*

The 15-2 Kansas City Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills 30-21 and then got blown out by the Denver Broncos in the final week 38-0, but that was when the Chiefs didn’t care because they had their playoff spot locked up. Otherwise, it was a perfect but underwhelming season. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL – and his Super Bowl rings say he’s currently the best – but he finished 7th in passing yards (3,928), 9th in passing touchdowns (26), and 8th in QBR (67.7). Retread RB Kareem Hunt (200 carries, 728 yards, 7 TDs) led the team in rushing because Isiah Pacheco missed a big chunk of the year due to injury. Famed TE Travis Kelce grabbed 97 passes but for a mediocre 823 yards (8.5 yards/catch) and 3 touchdowns. Former Michigan commit Xavier Worthy, a 1st round pick wide receiver in 2024, caught 59 passes for 638 yards and 6 touchdowns, adding 20 carries for 104 yards and 2 scores. Former Michigan DE Mike Danna finished #4 on the team with 3.5 sacks, behind Purdue product George Karlaftis (8.0). Outside linebacker Josh Uche managed just 10 tackles across six games in his first season coming over from the Patriots.

EAGLES PLAYERS FROM MICHIGAN: DE Brandon Graham, OG Trevor Keegan, LB Ben VanSumeren*

Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts is more involved in the running game (150 carries, 630 yards, 14 TDs), but he has had a fairly efficient year throwing the football (68.7% completions, 2907 yards, 18 TDs, 5 INTs). The offense has really been powered by RB Saquon Barkley (345 yards, 2005 yards, 13 TD), who has had the most amazing season by an NFL running back in a long time – not just with yardage, but with explosive plays and highlight reel talent. The receiving group is led by WR A.J. Brown (67 catches, 1079 yards, 7 TDs) and WR Devonta Smith (68 catches, 833 yards, 8 TDs), with TE Dallas Goedert (42 catches, 496 yards, 2 TDs) also a valuable receiving target. Former Michigan DE Brandon Graham (20 tackles, 3.5 sacks) played in eleven games this season, but an upper body injury caused him to miss the remainder of the year; he has been activated since the NFC Championship game, so he may play in the Super Bowl, which will likely be the final game of his career as he trends toward retirement. Former Michigan LB Ben VanSumeren, who finished his career at Michigan State, has played in eleven games and made 3 tackles; he has also played a little bit of fullback as a blocker in short yardage situations.

*Worthy and VanSumeren both signed with Michigan out of high school. Worthy did not get through admissions and ended up at Texas, while VanSumeren transferred to play for MSU.

PREDICTION

I don’t want to pick against the best quarterback in the NFL. Mahomes always seems to make the plays – and some would say get the calls – when the game is on the line. But when I look at the rosters, I think Philadelphia has more talent. They have the best running back in the league, a great defensive line, two good receivers, a good tight end, and players up and down the roster from Georgia, along with high-level draft picks. The Chiefs of course have great players (Mahomes, Kelce, WR DeAndre Hopkins, DT Chris Jones, etc.), but top-to-bottom, I see more talent on the Eagles side. I’m excited to see what wrinkles Andy Reid has in store for the big game – he always has some fun play designs – but I think the Eagles’ defensive talent will make enough plays to eke out a win. I’m going with the Eagles, 24-20.

25Apr 2024
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Michigan’s NFL Draft History

Cesar Ruiz

Probably like many of you, I occasionally have a hankering for some Michigan NFL Draft history. Below you will find (as far as I’m aware) every pro draft pick in the history of Michigan’s football program going all the way back to 1937.

A few little factoids:

  • Michigan’s only two #1 overall NFL Draft picks are Jake Long in 2008 and Tom Harmon in 1941.
  • Michigan set a record in 2024 with 13 total draft picks, topping the 11 from 2017.
  • Michigan’s record number of 1st round NFL draft picks is a tie with 3 each in 1995 (Tyrone Wheatley, Ty Law, Trezelle Jenkins), 2001 (David Terrell, Steve Hutchinson, Jeff Backus), and 2025 (Mason Graham, Colston Loveland, Kenneth Grant)

2025
1st round: Mason Graham – DT – Cleveland Browns (#5 overall)
1st round: Colston Loveland – TE – Chicago Bears (#10)
1st round: Kenneth Grant – DT – Miami Dolphins (#13)
2nd round: Will Johnson – CB – Arizona Cardinals (#47)
3rd round: Josaiah Stewart – DE – Los Angeles Rams (#90)
6th round: Kalel Mullings – RB – Tennessee Titans (#188)
6th round: Myles Hinton – OT – Philadelphia Eagles (#191)

2024
1st round: J.J. McCarthy – QB – Minnesota Vikings (#10)
2nd round: Kris Jenkins, Jr. – DT – Cincinnati Bengals (#49)
2nd round: Mike Sainristil – CB – Washington Commanders (#50)
3rd round: Junior Colson – LB – Los Angeles Chargers (#69)
3rd round: Blake Corum – RB – Los Angeles Rams (#83)
3rd round: Roman Wilson – WR – Pittsburgh Steelers (#84)
3rd round: Zak Zinter – OG – Cleveland Browns (#85)
4th round: A.J. Barner – TE – Seattle Seahawks (#121)
5th round: Trevor Keegan – OG – Philadelphia Eagles (#172)
7th round: Michael Barrett – LB – Carolina Panthers (#240)
7th round: La’Darius Henderson – OG – Houston Texans (#249)
7th round: Jaylen Harrell – DE – Tennessee Titans (#252)
7th round: Cornelius Johnson – WR – Los Angeles Chargers (#253)

2023
1st round: Mazi Smith – DT – Dallas Cowboys (#26)
2nd round: Luke Schoonmaker – TE – Dallas Cowboys (#58)
2nd round: D.J. Turner II – CB – Cincinnati Bengals (#60)
3rd round: Jake Moody – K – San Francisco 49ers (#99)
5th round: Mike Morris – DE – Seattle Seahawks (#151)
5th round: Olu Oluwatimi – C – Seattle Seahawks (#154)
6th round: Brad Robbins – P – Cincinnati Bengals (#217)
7th round: Ryan Hayes – OT – Miami Dolphins (#238)
7th round: Ronnie Bell – WR – San Francisco 49ers (#253)

2022
1st round: Aidan Hutchinson – DE – Detroit Lions (#2 overall)
1st round: Daxton Hill – S – Cincinnati Bengals (#31 overall)
2nd round: David Ojabo – OLB – Baltimore Ravens (#45 overall)
4th round: Hassan Haskins – RB – Tennessee Titans (#131 overall)
7th round: Andrew Stueber – OT – New England Patriots (#245 overall)

2021
1st round: Kwity Paye – DE – Indianapolis Colts (#21 overall)
3rd round: Jalen Mayfield – OT – Atlanta Falcons (#68 overall)
3rd round: Nico Collins – WR – Houston Texans (#89 overall)
3rd round: Ambry Thomas – CB – San Francisco 49ers (#102 overall)
5th round: Cam McGrone – LB – New England Patriots (#177 overall)
5th round: Ben Mason – FB – Baltimore Ravens (#184 overall)
6th round: Chris Evans – RB – Cincinnati Bengals (#202 overall)
7th round: Camaron Cheeseman – LS – Washington Football Team (#225 overall)

2020
1st round: Cesar Ruiz – C – New Orleans Saints (#24 overall)
2nd round: Josh Uche – OLB – New England Patriots (#60 overall)
4th round: Ben Bredeson – OG – Baltimore Ravens (#143 overall)
5th round: Khaleke Hudson – LB – Washington Redskins (#162 overall)
5th round: Mike Danna – DE – Kansas City Chiefs (#177 overall)
6th round: Michael Onwenu – OG – New England Patriots (#182 overall)
6th round: Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR – Cleveland Browns (#187 overall)
6th round: Jon Runyan, Jr. – OG – Green Bay Packers (#192 overall)
6th round: Josh Metellus – S – Minnesota Vikings (#205 overall)
6th round: Jordan Glasgow – LB – Indianapolis Colts (#213 overall)

2019
1st round: Devin Bush, Jr. – LB – Pittsburgh Steelers (#10 overall)
1st round: Rashan Gary – DE – Green Bay Packers (#12 overall)
3rd round: Chase Winovich – OLB – New England Patriots (#77 overall)
3rd round: David Long, Jr. – CB – Los Angeles Rams (#79 overall)
5th round: Zach Gentry – TE – Pittsburgh Steelers (#141 overall)

2018
3rd round: Mason Cole – C – Arizona Cardinals (#97)
5th round: Maurice Hurst, Jr. – DT – Oakland Raiders (#140)

2017
1st round: Jabrill Peppers – S – Cleveland Browns (#25)
1st round: Taco Charlton – DE – Dallas Cowboys (#28)
3rd round: Chris Wormley – DT – Baltimore Ravens (#74)
3rd round: Jourdan Lewis – CB – Dallas Cowboys (#92)
3rd round: Delano Hill – S – Seattle Seahawks (#95)
3rd round: Amara Darboh – WR – Seattle Seahawks (#106)
4th round: Ben Gedeon – LB – Minnesota Vikings (#120)
4th round: Ryan Glasgow – DT – Cincinnati Bengals (#138)
4th round: Jehu Chesson – WR – Kansas City Chiefs (#139)
5th round: Jake Butt – TE – Denver Broncos (#145)
6th round: Jeremy Clark – CB – New York Jets (#197)

2016
3rd round: Graham Glasgow – C – Detroit Lions (#95)
4th round: Willie Henry – DT – Baltimore Ravens (#132)
6th round: Jake Rudock – QB – Detroit Lions (#191)

2015
2nd round: Devin Funchess – WR – Carolina Panthers (#41)
2nd round: Frank Clark – DE – Seattle Seahawks (#63)
4th round: Jake Ryan – LB – Green Bay Packers (#129)

2014
1st round: Taylor Lewan – OT – Tennessee Titans (#11)
3rd round: Michael Schofield – OT – Denver Broncos (#95)
7th round: Jeremy Gallon – WR – New England Patriots (#244)

2013
5th round: Denard Robinson – RB – Jacksonville Jaguars (#135)
6th round: William Campbell – DT – New York Jets (#178)

Hit the jump for the remainder of Michigan’s historical draft picks.

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17Oct 2023
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Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Josh Metellus

Josh Metellus

Minnesota Vikings captain and safety Josh Metellus had one of his best games as a professional, totaling 8 tackles with 1 sack and 1 forced fumble in a 19-13 win over the Chicago Bears. That fumble was returned for a touchdown. Unfortunately, it was on rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent out of Shepherd University and not Ohio State product Justin Fields, who is expected to be out for a few weeks with a dislocated thumb.

HONORABLE MENTION

  • RB Zach Charbonnet (Seahawks): Charbonnet ran the ball 9 times for 46 yards in a 37-27 win over the Panthers.
  • WR Nico Collins (Texans): Collins caught 4 passes, including three for first downs, and 80 yards in a 20-13 win over the Saints.
  • DE Brandon Graham (Eagles): Graham made 2 tackles and 0.5 sacks in a 20-14 loss to the Jets.
  • S Dax Hill (Bengals): Hill made 8 tackles and 2 pass breakups in a 17-13 win over the Seahawks.
  • LB Khaleke Hudson (Commanders): Hudson made 3 tackles in a 24-16 win over the Falcons.
  • DT Maurice Hurst, Jr.: Hurst made 2 tackles and 1 tackle for loss in the Browns’ 27-3 victory over the Titans.
  • DE Aidan Hutchinson (Lions): Hutchinson made 3 tackles in a 20-6 win over the Buccaneers.
  • CB Jourdan Lewis (Cowboys): Lewis made 3 tackles in a 20-17 win over the Chargers.
  • S Jabrill Peppers (Patriots): Peppers made 7 tackles and 2 pass breakups in a 21-17 loss to the Raiders.
  • TE Luke Schoonmaker (Cowboys): Schoonmaker made his first professional catch for 1 yard. Unfortunately, he was targeted six times and reeled in just the one catch, but a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
  • CB D.J. Turner II (Bengals): Turner made 4 stops in a 17-13 win over the Seahawks.
23Nov 2022
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Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Aidan Hutchinson

Aidan Hutchinson (image via Lions Wire)

Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson made 3 tackles, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception, which he returned for 20 yards, in a 31-18 win over the New York Giants. It’s his second interception of the season. He was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts.

HONORABLE MENTION

  • Devin Bush, LB (Pittsburgh Steelers): Bush made 7 tackles in a 37-30 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
  • Frank Clark, DE (Kansas City Chiefs): Clark made 2 tackles and 1 fumble recovery in a 30-27 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.
  • Nico Collins, WR (Houston Texans): Collins made 5 catches for 48 yards in a 23-10 loss to the Washington Commanders.
  • Mike Danna, DE (Kansas City Chiefs): Danna made 4 tackles and 2 sacks in the win over the Chargers.
  • Brandon Graham, OLB (Philadelphia Eagles): Graham made 3 tackles and 1 sack in a 17-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
  • Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR (Cleveland Browns): Peoples-Jones made 5 catches for 61 yards and 1 touchdown in a 31-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
5Oct 2022
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Former Michigan Athlete of the Week: Tom Brady

Rashan Gary (image via Packers.com)

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Rashan Gary made 7 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery in a 27-24 overtime win against the New England Patriots

HONORABLE MENTION

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady completed 39/52 passes for 385 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions, but the Bucs lost 41-31 to the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers LB Devin Bush, Jr. made 6 tackles in a 24-20 loss to the New York Jets
  • Houston Texans WR Nico Collins had 3 catches for 82 yards, including a 58-yarder, in a 34-24 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers
  • Philadelphia Eagles OLB Brandon Graham made 3 tackles in a 29-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson made 5 tackles in a 48-45 loss to the Seattle Seahawks
  • Dallas Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis made 7 tackles in a 23-16 win over the New York Giants
  • Indianapolis Colts DE Kwity Paye made 3 tackles and 1 sack in a 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans
  • Cleveland Browns WR Donovan Peoples-Jones caught 5 passes for 71 yards in a 23-20 loss to the Atlanta Falcons
  • Steelers DT Chris Wormley made 4 tackles in the 24-20 loss to the Jets