This weekend NFL teams have to get down to their 53-man roster limits by 4 p.m. Saturday. Below is a complete rundown of how former NC State football players are doing ahead of cuts this weekend.
Not included on this list is veteran kicker Stephen Hauschka, who was released by the Buffalo Bills last week and has since auditioned with the Tennessee Titans but remains unsigned. Veteran offensive lineman Ted Larsen also had a recent workout with the San Francisco 49ers.
C Garrett Bradbury (Played at NC State from 2015-18), Minnesota Vikings: Started every game at center and played more snaps than anyone on the Vikings’ offense during his rookie season … He is expected to return to that role in 2020.
QB Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), Indianapolis Colts: Will return to a reserve role and be the second-highest paid backup quarterback in the NFL … Made 15 starts and connected on 272 of 447 passes (60.9 percent) for 2,942 yards with 18 scores and six interceptions in 2019 … Also had 56 rushing attempts for 228 yards and four touchdowns … Among quarterbacks that attempted at least 200 passes, he finished 18th in passer rating (88.0).
DB Juston Burris (2012-15), Carolina Panthers: Contending for a starting job in the Panthers’ secondary and is considered a safe bet to make the roster after signing in the offseason … Has been touted as an “unsung hero” in the Panthers preseason camp … Played in 14 games with nine starts for the Cleveland Browns last year, and compiled 32 tackles (26 solo), two tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions, five passes broken up, one forced fumble and two quarterback hurries.
OLB Bradley Chubb (2014-17), Denver Broncos: Trying to rebound from a torn ACL that robbed him of most of his second season in the pros … Racked up 12 sacks in 2018 as a rookie and would like to return to that form … Broncos head coach Vic Fangio said: “I think he’s where we kind of thought he’d be. We never said he’s 100 percent yet — at least I never did. I think what he’s going through is a natural progression in recovering from his injury, and I’m still optimistic he’ll be out there the first week and playing good — probably not playing like he was pre-injury, but pretty [darn] close. It’s going to be a work in progress.” … Has missed a few practices over the past week.
P A.J. Cole (2015-18), Las Vegas Raiders: A safe bet to remain the Raiders’ punter because the newly relocated franchise did not bring in any competition for him this training camp … Last year during his rookie season, the undrafted free agent punted 67 times for an average of 46.0 yards and a net of 39.4 yards … His punting average was 14th best in the NFL … Landed 33 punts inside the 20, which was fifth in the league.
QB Ryan Finley (2016-18), Cincinnati Bengals: Had to compete for a roster spot this preseason, but appears to have secured the role to be top draft pick Joe Burrow’s backup … In three games last season, all starts during this rookie year, he completed 41 of 87 passes (47.1 percent) for 474 yards with two scores and two picks a passer rating of 62.1 … Also rushed 10 times for 77 yards.
QB Mike Glennon (2009-12), Jacksonville Jaguars: Is in a battle to win a roster spot for the Jaguars after spending last season as a reserve for the Raiders … Jacksonville is expected to carry two backup quarterbacks between Glennon, Josh Dobbs and rookie Jake Luton, the latter most whom offensive coordinator Jay Gruden has praised as “very impressive.”
WR Kelvin Harmon (2016-18), Washington Redskins: Will miss the 2020 season with a torn ACL ... Played in 16 games with eight starts as a rookie in 2019, and notched 30 receptions for 365 yards.
DL B.J. Hill (2014-17), New York Giants: After starting as a rookie in 2018, became a reserve most of last season and is now believed to be battling for a roster spot after the Giants made a couple of acquisitions … Started in five of 16 appearances last year, and recorded 36 tackles (15 solo), four tackles for loss and one sack.
RB Nyheim Hines (2015-17), Indianapolis Colts: Reports suggest that he could be primed for a major, expanded role, especially in the passing game, this season for the Colts … Last year, he rushed 52 times for 199 yards and two scores, and caught 44 passes for 320 yards … Also returned nine punts for 281 yards (league-leading 31.2-yard average) and two touchdowns, plus six kickoffs for 123 yards (20.5 average).
DB Dontae Johnson (2010-13), San Francisco 49ers: His odds of making the 49ers’ roster may have increased with a hamstring injury late in training camp to projected cornerback starter Jason Verrett, but Johnson remains on the bubble … In 2019, Johnson had six tackles in 10 regular-season games between playing for the 49ers and two contests with the Los Angeles Chargers.
DB Josh Jones (2014-16), Jacksonville Jaguars: Appears to have a decent chance of sticking with the Jaguars, especially after the team surprisingly traded starter Ronnie Harrison to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday ... The former second-round pick of the Green Bay Packers was signed by Jacksonville in January after being waived by the Dallas Cowboys in December … Had one tackle on defense and one on special teams in six games played with Dallas in 2019.
DT Justin Jones (2014-17), Los Angeles Chargers: Started all 12 games he played in last season, missing four with an injury, and finished with 30 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one pass broken up … Entering preseason camp, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said, “I’m looking for him to have a breakout season this year.”
OL Tyler Jones (2015-18), Denver Broncos: After spending time last season on the Broncos’ practice squad, the former undrafted free agent was signed to a futures contract in January to battle for a roster spot.
DT T.Y. McGill (2011-14), Philadelphia Eagles: The former undrafted free agent success story will once again try to make another team after signing last week with the Eagles … Assisted on two tackles in three games for the Chargers in 2019.
WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), New England Patriots: A year after making headlines as an undrafted free agent find by the Patriots, has reportedly struggled in preseason camp and is in a battle to make the roster … A recent shoulder injury did not help his cause … As a rookie, he had 26 receptions for 359 yards in 15 regular-season games (one start).
DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), Tennessee Titans: The rookie was a fifth-round draft pick in April by the Titans and according to one report has “certainly done more good than bad” in camp in his battle to earn a roster and get some snaps … Odds seem to favor him making the team.
LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), Cincinnati Bengals: Emerged as a starter last season for the Bengals and now is expected to be one of their top linebackers in 2020 … In 16 games in 2019 (including nine starts), he had 76 tackles (51 solo) and one stop for loss.
OT Will Richardson Jr. (2015-17), Jacksonville Jaguars: After starting twice and appearing in 15 games last season, is a safe bet to make the roster and is contending for the starting left tackle job.
QB Philip Rivers (2000-03), Indianapolis Colts: The potential future NFL Hall of Famer with 224 consecutive starts for the Chargers is now with a different franchise for the first time in his 17-year career, signing a one-year, $25-million contract with the Colts … In 16 games last year, he completed 390 of 591 passes (66.0 percent) for 4,615 yards with 23 scores and 20 picks, and rushed 12 times for 29 yards ... Had a passer rating of 88.5 … Finished fourth in the NFL in passing yards and 15th in touchdown throws … Among quarterbacks with 200 pass attempts, he was 10th in completion percentage.
RB Jaylen Samuels (2014-17), Pittsburgh Steelers: Started preseason camp on the COVID-19 restricted list, but returned in mid-August and is fighting for one of the last roster spots among running backs … Odds seem to favor him surviving the cut, but it does not appear to be a given ... Last year, he had 66 rushes for 175 yards and a score, plus 48 receptions for 305 yards and a touchdown in 14 games, which included four starts ... Also completed 4 of 5 passes for 35 yards with an interception.
DE James Smith-Williams (2016-19), Washington: The seventh-round draft pick for Washington has impressed at least one teammate, long snapper Nick Sundberg: “He gets it. He’s super smart. He picks up everything super quick. He’s stupid fast for being as big as he is.” … Sundberg has been working with Smith-Williams on special teams, which could be the rookie’s best chance to make the roster on a crowded defensive line … Odds may favor him landing on the practice squad.
DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have a deep defensive line, but a healthy and athletic Street looks to be a good bet to make the roster … Last year, he had four tackles and one stop for loss in three regular-season games.
OG J.R. Sweezy (2008-11), Arizona Cardinals: Started every game at right guard last season and is expected to maintain that position in 2020, but there has been some speculation that he could be a surprise release in a cost-cutting move due to the emergence of Justin Murray in training camp … He is set to count $5 million against Arizona’s salary cap.
OG Joe Thuney (2012-15), New England Patriots: The second-team All-Pro pick in 2019 has not missed a game in four years as a pro and allowed only one sack total in the past two years, which is partially why the Patriots put the franchise tag on him in the offseason … Has taken snaps at center in preseason camp … Had an unspecified injury last week.
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (2013-14/Finished at USF), Green Bay Packers: Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he has been most impressed with Valdes-Scantling this preseason ... Last year in the regular season, he had 26 receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games played (nine starts).
QB Russell Wilson (2007-09/Finished at Wisconsin), Seattle Seahawks: The recent Sports Illustrated cover subject is expected to be a MVP candidate ... Last year in 16 regular-season games, he completed 341 of 516 attempts (66.1 percent) for 4,110 yards with 31 touchdowns and five picks, and also rushed 71 times for 338 yards and three scores ... Ranked third in the NFL in touchdown passes and sixth in passing yards ... Also was fifth in the league among signal-callers with more than 200 pass attempts in passer rating (106.3) and tied for eighth in completion percentage … Included at No. 7 overall (second among quarterbacks) on Pro Football Focus' countdown of the top 50 players heading into the 2020 season … The outlet graded him as the league's No. 3 overall player and No. 1 quarterback in 2019.
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