Oregon State Beavers In The NFL: Week 1 Preview
With the NFL season kicking off Thursday, BeaversEdge takes a closer look at which Oregon State players are on 53-man NFL rosters and who are on practice squads!
Oregon State Beavers In The NFL
Right Tackle, 1st String – Taliese Fuaga – New Orleans Saints
Back for his second season with the Saints, Fuaga is coming off a rookie season where he impressed at right tackle. He played in 98% of the offensive snaps a season ago and is a building block for a young Saints squad.
Punter – Johnny Hekker – Tennessee Titans
After spending the past three seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Hekker signed with the Titans for his 14th NFL season. He’s punted for over 45,000 yards, including a long punt of 78 yards. He’s also got one passing touchdown from his first season with the Rams.
Left Guard, 1st String – Isaac Seumalo – Pittsburgh Steelers
Entering the final season of a three-year contract signed with the Steelers, Seumalo is entering his 10th NFL season between stops with Philly and now Pittsburgh. He’s slated to start again for the Steelers this season and will play a key role protecting QB Aaron Rodgers.
Wide Receiver / 1st String KR/PR – Anthony Gould – Indianapolis Colts
After playing in a reserve role last season, Gould has risen up the Colts’ depth chart and appears primed for a big year on special teams. TBD on how much action he’ll see at receiver, but he’s listed as the top kick and punt returner. Beaver fans know well Gould’s speed, and the Colts are hoping it helps them this season.
Cornerback, 2nd String – Rejzohn Wright – New Orleans Saints
One of the surprises of the August roster cuts, Wright carved out a significant role with the Saints and managed to secure one of the backup cornerback spots entering the year. Wright didn’t catch on with the Panthers or Raiders’ practice squads in 2023, but may have found a home in NOLA.
Left Guard, 2nd String – Blake Brandel – Minnesota Vikings
After being a full-time starter at left guard for the Vikings a season ago and playing 1,191 snaps, Brandel now finds himself as backup LG behind 2025 first-round pick Donovan Jackson. He won’t see as much time, but could find himself as one of the top reserves if someone goes down.
Cornerback, Nickelback 2nd String – Alex Austin – New England Patriots
After seeing action in six games on defense as a Patriot last season, Austin looks to have carved out an even more defined role with New England this season as their backup nickelback.
Cornerback, 2nd String – Nahshon Wright – Chicago Bears
Despite being a third-round pick back in 2020, Wright wasn’t able to make a sizable impact with the Dallas Cowboys and then found himself traded to the Vikings ahead of 2024. He was then waived and re-signed to the practice squad. He later signed a future contract with the Vikings, before being released. He’s now with the Chicago Bears, signing a one-year deal and looking to get back on track with the new-look Bears…
Wide Receiver, 2nd String – Brandin Cooks – New Orleans Saints
It’s Beaver Mardi-Gras in New Orleans… No other NFL team has more Beavers than the New Orleans Saints and after a stint with the Dallas Cowboys, Cooks is back where it all started. A first-round pick of NOLA in 2013, Cooks spent three years with the Saints, a year with New England, two with the Rams, three with the Texans, and two with the Cowboys. He needs a little under 500 receiving yards to hit 10,000 for his career, and boasts 60 career scores. He’ll be in a different role at this stage of his career, but he can be a key veteran for the team and still has gas left in the tank.
Safety, 2nd String – Kitan Oladapo – Green Bay Packers
After making the Packers’ roster as a fifth-round pick a year ago, Oladapo once again is back with the Pack and will be playing in a strong defensive unit now led by Micah Parsons. He played in nine contests with seven tackles a year ago, and will play a key role as their backup safety.
Tight End, 2nd String – Luke Musgrave – Green Bay Packers
A former second-round pick back in 2023, Musgrave finds himself as the No. 2 tight end in the Packers’ offense behind fellow 2023 pick Tucker Kraft. Kraft has since leapfrogged Musgrave on the depth chart and appears to be the go-to receiving option for Jordan Love. Musgrave only appeared in seven games last season due to injury, and caught seven for 45 yards. Kraft, meanwhile, had 50 catches for 700 yards and seven scores. Musgrave may be a guy who’s eyed by other teams at the trade deadline…
Tight End, 3rd String – Teagan Quitoriano – Atlanta Falcons
After spending the majority of his NFL career with the Houston Texans, with a brief Chicago stint in there, Quitoriano signed with the Atlanta Falcons in the offseason. He’s the third TE on the depth chart, but features 23 games played and 15 catches for 146 yards and two scores.
Practice Squads
DB Jordan Poyer – Buffalo Bills
After a stint with the Miami Dolphins, Poyer is back in Buffalo, this time on the practice squad. Considering his familiarity with Sean McDermott’s defense, should an injury in the DB room happen, Poyer could certainly be elevated.
OL Gerad Lichtenhan – Baltimore Ravens
Playing his lone season for Oregon State in 2024 and starting every game at left tackle, Lichtenhan has signed on with the Ravens’ practice squad.
OG Joshua Gray – Atlanta Falcons
Oregon State’s all-time starts leader, Gray has signed with the Atlanta Falcons after a standout career with the Beavers.
DB Jaden Robinson – Denver Broncos
After tallying 38 tackles for Oregon State in his final collegiate season in 2024, Robinson has signed with the Broncos’ practice squad.
TE Jermaine Terry – New York Giants
After tallying nearly 400 receiving yards and a score a season ago for Oregon State, Terry has signed with the Giants’ practice squad.
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