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Pack Pros: Former NC State football players approaching final cuts

MattCarterby: Matt Carter08/24/22TheWolfpacker

How is your favorite former Pack Pro doing in NFL training camps with final cuts set to come next week? Here is a rundown of all the former NC State football players currently trying to make a roster spot in the league.

Pack Pro Updates

C Garrett Bradbury (Played at NC State from 2015-18), Minnesota Vikings: After starting for most of his first three full seasons in the NFL, Bradbury faces a crucial year … The Vikings declined the former first-round pick’s fifth-year option, making this a contract season for Bradbury … Although there was chatter of a competition at center early in training camp, Bradbury looks increasingly likely to begin the year as the starter.

QB Jacoby Brissett (2014-15), Cleveland Browns: The suspension of Cleveland starter DeShaun Watson for 11 games opens the door for Brissett to be the Browns’ starter to begin the year … The Browns would be the fourth different team that Brissett has started for in his NFL career … Entering his seventh season in the league, Brissett has completed 727 of 1,208 passes (60.2 percent) for 7,742 yards and 36 touchdowns with 17 interceptions and added 653 yards and 13 more scores rushing … Brissett signed a 1-year, $4.65 million contract with the Browns in the offseason.

DB Juston Burris (2012-15), Carolina Panthers: After starting for most of the past two seasons for the Panthers, the recently married Burris returns to Carolina on a 1-year contract worth almost $1.2 million … Burris injured his ribs in preseason game No. 2 against the New England Patriots … He is expected to make the roster in a reserve role after Panthers added free agent Xavier Woods on a 3-year deal worth $15.75 million.

OLB Bradley Chubb (2014-17), Denver Broncos: The former Pro Bowler is in a contract year and looking to bounce back after ankle surgery limited Chubb to six largely unproductive games last season … In his two fully healthy seasons, Chubb had a combined 102 tackles, including 19.5 sacks, but he missed one season with an ACL tear and then most of last year with a bone spur.

P A.J. Cole III (2015-18), Las Vegas Raiders: Last season was a banner campaign for Cole … Led the NFL with a punting average of 50.0 yards per attempt, the eighth-best single-season mark in league history … Was selected to the Pro Bowl and during the season signed a four-year contract extension worth $12 million, including a $2 million signing bonus and $5.6 million guaranteed … Cole is the only punter on the Raiders’ roster.

OL Ikem Ekwonu (2019-21), Carolina Panthers: After being drafted in the first round by the Panthers, the newest Pack Pro was named the starter at left tackle but has gone through some growing pains, including allowing sacks on back-to-back plays against New England in a recent exhibition game.

P Trenton Gill (2018-21), Chicago Bears: After being selected in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, the rookie is favored to be the Bears’ punter … He remains the lone punter on Chicago’s roster and has impressed in the preseason, downing six punts inside the opponents’ 15-yard line in two games.

WR Kelvin Harmon (2016-18), free agent: On Tuesday, Harmon was cut by the Washington Commanders … As a rookie in 2019, Harmon caught 30 passes for 365 yards, but a year later he tore his ACL and then in his return in 2021 was cut before being placed on the practice squad.

DL B.J. Hill Jr. (2014-17), Cincinnati Bengals: After an impressive season with Super Bowl participant Bengals, who acquired Hill in a trade with the Giants, Hill signed a 3-year, $30 million contract during the offseason that included a $10 million signing bonus and $13 million guaranteed … Hill had 5.5 sacks during his breakout season with the Bengals last year and is expected to have a larger role in 2022.

RB Nyheim Hines (2015-17), Indianapolis Colts: Through four seasons with the Colts, Hines has rushed 282 times for 1,169 yards and 9 touchdowns and caught 210 passes for 1,537 yards and 7 more scores … Hines has also returned 2 punts for TDs … Colts head coach Frank Reich recently said he would pick Hines if he was a fantasy draft owner … Reportedly, Hines has been used as an extra receiver in some packages with new Colts QB Matt Ryan and also featured in the same backfield with starting running back Jonathan Taylor.

DB Dontae Johnson (2010-13), San Francisco 49ers: Johnson signed a one-year contract with the 49ers, the team which he has spent seven out of his eight seasons in the NFL … Started three games last season but missed time recently in training camp with an injury (rib cartilage fracture) in his battle to earn another roster spot.

DB Josh Jones (2014-16), Seattle Seahawks: Jones is quickly impressing with Seattle, his fourth different NFL team … Surgery to remove a hyperactive thyroid and a fresh start with the Seahawks has Jones on the verge of potentially starting.

“He’s had a very, very obvious camp. I mean, he’s made plays in the running game, in the passing game. He probably has more picks than anyone. He’s playing all of the spots. We’re able to put him all over the place.”

Pete Carroll to the Tacoma News Tribune

DT Justin Jones (2014-17), Chicago Bears: Jones signed a 2-year, $12 million contract in the offseason with the Bears, including a $5 million signing bonus and over $7 million guaranteed … Jones reportedly has been “thriving” in his new defensive scheme after four seasons with the Chargers, where he started 35 games and had 118 tackles, including 12 for loss and 4.5 sacks.

DE Daniel Joseph (2020-21), Buffalo Bills: NC State’s most productive pass rusher the past two seasons landed as an undrafted free agent in Buffalo … Had a sack in a preseason game appearance but is a likely long shot to make the final roster.

LB Vi Jones (2019-21), Seattle Seahawks: The undrafted free agent has an impressive preseason debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers, including making a sack among his 6 tackles … That prompted the Seahawks to move Jones from inside linebacker to edge to further evaluate his capabilities, lending to speculation that Jones may have an outside shot of making the roster.

RB Zonovan Knight (2019-21), New York Jets: The undrafted free agent has reportedly made a positive early impression and established a dark horse case for making the final 53-man roster and becoming a Pack Pro, although he faces stiff odds of surviving the last cut.

CB Nick McCloud (2016-19, finished at Notre Dame), Buffalo Bills: After playing two games last season for Cincinnati, McCloud is back with the team that made him an undrafted free agent signing in 2021 … Ended last year on the Bills’ practice squad and is back in their training camp competition to earn a roster spot … Has been worked out at safety in addition to corner … Suffered a nasty gash on his face in the Bills’ last preseason game but returned after receiving six stitches.

DT T.Y. McGill Jr. (2011-14), Minnesota Vikings: The former undrafted free agent has found a way to play seven years in the NFL with six different teams … Kept that streak alive by playing two contests for the Vikings a year ago and then signed a 1-year, $1-million plus contract in March to remain in Minnesota … Expected to be in a battle for one of the last roster spots but has made a compelling case with his training camp, as The Athletic calling McGill the “biggest winner of the night” following a 1.5 sack performance against the 49ers in an exhibition game and declaring: “the Vikings might see a player too good to keep off the roster.”

DT Alim McNeill (2018-20), Detroit Lions: After a promising debut season with the Lions, McNeill has been listed at No. 10 on Pro Football Focus (PFF) rankings of 15 breakout year-two candidates … Recently drew impressive reviews from Indianapolis beat writers when the Lions held joint practices with the Colts … McNeill started six games last season and had 39 tackles, including 3 for loss and 2 sacks.

WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), New England Patriots: The former undrafted Pack Pro has cashed in on his successes in the NFL, with the restricted free agent signing a 1-year contract worth nearly $4 million with the Patriots … Last season, Meyers caught 83 passes for 866 yards and 2 touchdowns and is expected to continue his role as a leading receiver for New England.

TE Thaddeus Moss (2016/finished at LSU), Cincinnati Bengals: Moss spent most of 2021 on the Bengals’ practice squad before suffering a hamstring injury during warmups just after he was called up to the active roster … The Athletic listed Moss as on the “bubble” for making the roster … Made headlines recently with a cut block that injured New York Giants defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux’s knee in a preseason game.

DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), Tennessee Titans: After starting five of the 11 games he played last season, reports suggest that Murchison is in a battle to earn a roster spot.

LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), Cincinnati Bengals: After a breakout season in which he helped the Bengals reach the Super Bowl, Pratt is another Pack Pro approaching his contract year … He is set to begin his third year as a starter and last season had 91 tackles during the regular season, including 5 for loss … Added an interception, 2 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

OT Will Richardson Jr. (2015-17), Jacksonville Jaguars: After four seasons as a depth piece on the offensive line for Jacksonville, Richardson was re-signed with a 1-year deal in the offseason worth $2 million … Has battled injuries during training camp and was inactive for the second exhibition game … The Jaguars recently acquired lineman Cole Van Lanen in a trade with the Packers, perhaps adding competition for Richardson for a roster spot.

DE James Smith-Williams (2016-19), Washington Commanders: After starting six games in his second season in the NFL, Smith-Williams is aiming to carve out a larger role during training camp but is in a crowded battle for a roster spot … Projected starter Chase Young beginning the season on the physically unable to perform list may increase Smith-Williams’ odds of making the team … Had 30 tackles, including 4 for loss and 2.5 sacks, a season ago.

DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), New Orleans Saints: In the offseason, Street reunited with his first defensive line coach at NC State, Ryan Nielsen, when he signed a one-year deal with the Saints … Nielsen is New Orleans’ co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach … Street spent his first four years with the 49ers, where he started four games and played in 35 … Expected to be in a roster battle and missed time with a broken wrist.

OG Joe Thuney (2012-15), Kansas City Chiefs: Started every game last season for Kansas City and is in the second year of his 5-year, $80 million contract, one of the most lucrative ever signed by a Pack Pro.

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (2013-14, Finished at USF), Kansas City Chiefs: During the offseason, Valdes-Scantling was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on a 3-year, $30 million contract that included a $6 million signing bonus and $15 million guaranteed … In four prior seasons at Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling had 247 receptions for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns.

QB Russell Wilson (2007-09/Finished at Wisconsin), Denver Broncos: In a blockbuster trade during the offseason, the potential future Hall of Famer and all-time great Pack Pro was traded from the Seahawks to Denver.