With the 2025 [NFL Draft](https://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft) behind us, focus now turns to offseason team activities, training camps, fantasy drafts, and preseason action ahead of the 2025 season. As one of the best college programs at developing talent over the last decade, the league is unsurprisingly littered with former Michigan Wolverines that are poised to make an impact this fall.
In no particular order, here are a handful of former Wolverines we’re most excited to watch on Sundays, and the storylines surrounding them.
### **WR Nico Collins - Houston Texans**
Over the last three seasons, Collins has ascended to become one of the best deep threats in the league. He broke out in 2023 with 80 receptions, 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite missing five games in 2024, he still managed to catch seven touchdowns and record 1,006 yards.
In 2025, he’ll look to further climb the ranks of NFL receivers as C.J. Stroud’s top target.
### **QB J.J. McCarthy - Minnesota Vikings**
The Vikings had a great season in 2024 with Sam Darnold, but with the veteran quarterback now on the Seahawks, it’s McCarthy’s time to shine.
McCarthy was selected 10th overall last April and only appeared in one preseason game before being sidelined the rest of the year with a knee injury. Now fully recovered, we’ll see what he can do as a starter in the NFL. It won’t be easy, as he’ll be playing in arguably the toughest division in the league.
### **TE Colston Loveland - Chicago Bears**
Sticking in the NFC North, the Bears could be a team on the rise in 2024. Not only is Ben Johnson’s offensive mind a major asset, so is Loveland, who was selected 10th overall a few weeks ago. He is a true mismatch over the middle and should be an easy target for Caleb Williams to find.
With Loveland entering a group that features D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden and Cole Kmet, it wouldn’t surprise if he put up some big numbers in 2025.
### **Edge Rashan Gary - Green Bay Packers**
The Green Bay defense took a big step forward in 2024 under first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley, but the group is looking for more, particularly from its pass rush. Gary, a 2019 first-round pick, could be a candidate to make an impact in that area. He’s coming off his first Pro Bowl selection, and while he has yet to register more than 10 sacks in a season in his six years in the league, he could be well on his way to that with more familiarity in Hafley’s scheme in 2025.
### **DB Mike Sainristil - Washington Commanders**
Sainristil was the most productive of Michigan’s rookies last season, starting 16 games at nickel for the Commanders. He had two interceptions — including one in the playoffs against the [Detroit Lions](https://www.prideofdetroit.com/) — as well as 93 total tackles.
Beyond Sainristil’s individual success, his Commanders were one of the surprise teams in the NFL last season, making it all the way to the NFC Championship. As part of an exciting young group, he’ll hope to contribute to another deep playoff run.
### **DT Mason Graham - Cleveland Browns**
The Browns traded back and still wound up with Graham at fifth overall. After being a part of some stout defensive fronts during his college years, he’ll get to play alongside one of the best defensive ends in the business in Myles Garrett. While the Browns should still be among the NFL’s worst teams in 2025, Graham will look to fortify their defensive line.
### **Edge Aidan Hutchinson - Detroit Lions**
Hutchinson’s season certainly didn’t go as planned, as his season was cut short by a nasty leg injury against the Cowboys in Week 6. Although he’s still in the process of working his way back, he should be back by the time the season starts. He’ll return to what should still be a solid defensive front alongside Alim McNeil, Marcus Davenport and D.J Reader.
Detroit’s season ended surprisingly with a loss to the Commanders in its first playoff game, but hopefully Hutchinson’s return can help the team advance further moving forward.
### **CB Will Johnson - Arizona Cardinals**
One day, we could look back and see Johnson as one of the biggest steals in the 2025 draft after concerns over a lingering knee issue dropped him into the second round. Arizona will likely rely on him to be a starter right away, as it rolled out one of the worst secondaries in the NFL last season. Furthermore, Johnson’s zone coverage skills mesh well with Jonathon Gannon’s principles, meaning he’s in a position to thrive early on.
### **Edge Kwity Paye - Indianapolis Colts**
Paye has had a quiet, yet productive career. He’s gotten a bit better each year and has started 31 games and compiling 16.5 sacks the last two years. Last season, he registered 41 total tackles, including 10 for a loss.
The Colts have been adding pieces to their defensive front over the last two seasons, with Laiatu Latu and J.T. Tuimiloau being early draft picks in 2024 and 2025, respectively. They’ll join forces with Paye to continue to stifle opposing offenses.
### **S Daxton Hill - Cincinnati Bengals**
The Bengals have been a bit of an enigma the last couple seasons, as they boast some of the best talent in the NFL but have only managed nine wins the last two seasons. That’s thanks in part to their defense, which will look to regroup with Al Golden pulling the strings in 2025. Hill will look to be a big part of that in his fourth season in the league.
Hill only played five games last year, but was productive in 2023 with 110 tackles and two interceptions. The hope is he can bounce back in 2025 and stabilize what’s been a questionable Bengal defense in recent years.
**Others to watch:** D.J. Turner (CB, Bengals), Kenneth Grant (DT, Dolphins), Blake Corum (RB, Rams), Roman Wilson (WR, Steelers), Mike Onwenu (G, Patriots), Jabrill Peppers (S, Patriots), Cesar Ruiz (C, Saints), Josh Uche (Edge, Eagles), Mike Danna (Edge, Chiefs).