40 former Michigan football players make 2026 NFL opening rosters

Nairavoice | Aug 31, 2026 2h ago 378 0 2 min read

40 former Michigan football players make 2026 NFL opening rosters

On Sunday night, NFL teams had to trim their rosters to a maximum number of 53 players. And there were a few surprises along the way as it pertained to former Michigan football players.

The big news was that the Minnesota Vikings — who had long ago named Kyler Murray as the franchise’s starter — ended up retaining quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who had appeared to be on his way out. However, there were some cuts, such as Mazi Smith from the New York Jets, David Ojabo from the Miami Dolphins, Junior Colson from the LA Chargers, Rayshaun Benny from the Baltimore Ravens, Hassan Haskins from the New England Patriots, and Trevor Keegan from the Dallas Cowboys.

But some others found themselves entrenched, including a number of rookies. The Detroit Lions kept linebacker Jimmy Rolder on the 53-man roster, despite his injury, which could have seen him initially placed on IR. Jaishawn Barham earned his role with the Dallas Cowboys, as did Derrick Moore with the Lions. Marlin Klein earned his place with the Houston Texans, and Dominic Zvada is maintaining his role playing under John Harbaugh with the New York Giants, as well.

Here are the former Wolverines who landed on opening day rosters:

PlayerNFL TeamPositionJaishawn BarhamDallas CowboysLinebackerAJ BarnerSeattle SeahawksTight EndBen BredesonTampa Bay BuccaneersGuardMax BredesonMinnesota VikingsFullbackDevin BushChicago BearsLinebackerMason ColePittsburgh SteelersCenterNico CollinsHouston TexansWide ReceiverBlake CorumLos Angeles RamsRunning BackMike DannaBuffalo BillsDefensive EndRashan GaryDallas CowboysLinebackerMason GrahamCleveland BrownsDefensive TackleDax HillCincinnati BengalsCornerbackAidan HutchinsonDetroit LionsDefensive EndKris Jenkins Jr.Cincinnati BengalsDefensive TackleWill JohnsonArizona CardinalsCornerbackMarlin KleinHouston TexansTight EndJourdan LewisJacksonville JaguarsCornerbackColston LovelandChicago BearsTight EndJ.J. McCarthyMinnesota VikingsQuarterbackBraiden McGregorNew York JetsDefensive EndJoshua MetellusMinnesota VikingsSafetyDerrick MooreDetroit LionsDefensive EndMike MorrisSeattle SeahawksDefensive EndOlu OluwatimiSeattle SeahawksCenterMike OnwenuNew England PatriotsGuardKwity PayeLas Vegas RaidersDefensive EndJosh PriebeMiami DolphinsGuardJimmy RolderDetroit LionsLinebackerCesar RuizNew Orleans SaintsGuardJon RunyanNew York GiantsGuardMike SainristilWashington CommandersCornerbackLuke SchoonmakerDallas CowboysTight EndJosaiah StewartLos Angeles RamsLinebackerDJ Turner IICincinnati BengalsCornerbackJosh UcheMiami DolphinsLinebackerWilliam WagnerCincinnati BengalsLong SnapperJosh WallaceLos Angeles RamsCornerbackRoman WilsonPittsburgh SteelersWide ReceiverZak ZinterCleveland BrownsGuardDominic ZvadaNew York GiantsPlace Kicker

All in all, 40 former Michigan football players found themselves signed at this juncture. And while several got cut, many of them will likely be picked up sooner or later now that they’re free agents.