The 2024 NFL season got underway last night with the Chiefs defeating the Ravens 27-20. With the NFL on the mind, lets breakdown the Wolfpack Quarterbacks that went on to be the most successful professionally.

Philip Rivers

Rivers was drafted by the New York Giants with the 4th overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, but was then quickly traded to San Diego. He went on to play 16 years with the Chargers, becoming the starter in year 3. Rivers played his final NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

Rivers was an 8-time Pro Bowler, which is the 2nd most by a former NC State football player, trailing only Russell Wilson (9). He led the NFL in Passing Yards in 2010, Completion Percentage in 2013 and in Touchdowns and Passer Rating in 2008.

In 2013, Rivers was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Rivers ranks 7th in NFL history in Completions (5,277), 6th in Passing Yards (63,440) and 6th in Passing Touchdowns (421).

Russell Wilson

Wilson was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the 3rd round of the 2012 NFL Draft, with the 75th overall pick. He played his first 10 years with the Seahawks, the last two seasons in Denver, and is about to kickoff his first year with the Steelers this weekend.

Wilson is a 9-time Pro Bowler, which is most by any former NC State football players. He earned 2nd Team All-Pro honors in 2019. Wilson led the NFL in Passer Rating in 2015, and led the league in Passing Touchdowns in 2017.

In year 2 (2013), Wilson led Seattle to their first Super Bowl appearance, and ultimately led the Seahawks to be Super Bowl Champions. In 2014, Wilson led the back to the Super Bowl, but they didn’t walk away with the Lombardi trophy.

Currently, Wilson ranks 19th in NFL history in Completed Passes (3,668), 19th in Passing Yards (43,653), 13th in Touchdown Passes (334), 4th in QB Rating (100.0) and 4th in Rushing Yards by a QB (5,307)

Roman Gabriel

Gabriel was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 2nd overall pick of the 1962 NFL Draft. He went on to play 11 seasons with the Rams, and finished his career in Philadelphia for his final 5 seasons.

Gabriel was a 4-time Pro Bowler. He earned 1st Team All-Pro honors in 1969, and 2nd Team All-Pro honors in 1967 & 1968.

In 1969, Gabriel was the NFL MVP, making him the only former Wolfpack player to earn the prestigious honor. In 1973, he earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Gabriel led the NFL in Passing Yards in 1973, and led the league in Touchdown Passes in 1969 & 1973.

The 2024 NFL season gets underway tomorrow night, but before the Chiefs and the Ravens kickoff, here’s a look at where the current former NC State players in the NFL rank historically against past Wolfpack NFL players.  This piece will breakdown the Defensive & Special Teams players. Check here to check out the Offensive Player breakdown.

Tackles

Tackles for Loss

Sacks

Interceptions

Pass Deflections 

Forced Fumbles

Linebacker Germaine Pratt is entering his 6th season in the NFL, and he currently ranks 6th in tackles by a former NC State player, 9th in tackles for loss, 12th in interceptions, 10th in pass deflections and 10th in forced fumbles. I expect Pratt to move into 5th by seasons end.

Linebacker Bradley Chubb is entering his 7th season in the NFL, and he currently ranks 14th in tackles, 5th in tackles for loss, 3rd in sacks and 3rd in forced fumbles. By the end of the year, I expect Chubb will move up 1 or 2 spots in tackles, possibly move into 4th in tackles for loss, move into 2nd in sacks and possibly move into 1st in forced fumbles.

Defensive Tackle BJ Hill is entering his 7th season, and he currently ranks 12th in tackles, 11th in tackles for loss, and 11th in sacks. By seasons end, I expect Hill to crack the Top-10 in tackles for loss and sacks.

Defensive Tackle Justin Jones is entering his 7th season, and he currently ranks 17th in tackles, 8th in tackles for loss and 14th in sacks. By seasons end, I expect him to move up to 6th place in tackles for loss, and move up a spot or two in tackles and sacks.

Defensive End Kentavius Street is entering his 6th season in the NFL, and he currently ranks 12th in tackles for loss and 19th in sacks. I expect him to move up a spot in each category.

Defensive Tackle Alim McNeil is entering his 4th season, and he currently ranks 15th in tackles for loss and 18th in sacks. If he matches last years total of 6 tackles for loss and 5 sacks, he should move up quite a few spots in each category.

Linebacker James Smith-Williams is entering his 5th season, and he currently ranks 17th in tackles for loss and 20th in sacks. He should move up a spot or two in each category.

Punt Return Yards

Kickoff Return Yards

Running Back Nyheim Hines is entering his 7th year (6th season) in the NFL, and he currently has the 2nd most punt return yards and 6th most kickoff return yards of any former Wolfpack football player.

(ProRef)

The 2024 NFL season gets underway tomorrow night, but before the Chiefs and the Ravens kickoff, here’s a look at where the current former NC State players in the NFL rank historically against past Wolfpack NFL players.  This piece will breakdown the Offensive players, and a forthcoming piece will breakdown Defense & Special Teams.

Passing

Russell Wilson is entering his 13th season in the NFL with the 2nd most passing yards and passing touchdowns by a former NC State Quarterback, trailing only Philip Rivers.

This is year 9 for Jacoby Brissett, and he ranks 5th in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

Ironically, Wide Receiver Jacobi Meyers has been a part of a handful of trick plays. He has the 9th most passing yards in the NFL by a former Wolfpack football player, and is tied for the 8th most touchdowns.

Rushing

Quarterback Russell Wilson has the most rushing yards in the NFL by a former NC State football player. He ranks 4th in rushing touchdowns, and is only 1 away from tying Roman Gabriel for third.

Running Back Nyheim Hines is entering his 6th season in the NFL, and he ranks 7th in rushing yards and 9th in rushing touchdowns. If he can get healthy, and stay healthy, it shouldn’t be too difficult to move up the rankings in both categories this year.

Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has the 8th most rushing yards in the NFL by a former Wolfpack football player, and the 5th most rushing touchdowns.

Receiving

Three active former NC State football players rank in the Top-10 in the receiving statistical categories.

Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers is entering his 6th season in the NFL, and he currently boasts the 6th most receiving yards, 6th most touchdown receptions and the 6th most receptions by former NC State football players. By the end of this season, I expect Meyers to rank 5th in receiving yards, 5th in touchdown receptions and 4th in receptions.

Wide Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is entering year 7 in the NFL, and he ranks 7th in receiving yards, 6th in touchdown receptions and 10th in receptions.

Nyheim Hines ranks 10th in receiving yards and 8th in receptions. For certain, Hines will claim sole possession of 8th place this year in receptions, and if he can pick up two touchdown receptions he will tie for the 10th most by a former NC State football player.

(ProRef)

Three former NC State Football players have been named 2024 Captains for their NFL teams: Quarterback Russell Wilson, Quarterback Jacoby Brissett and Linebacker Germaine Pratt.

QB Russell Wilson 

This is Wilson’s first year in Pittsburgh, but this is 12th straight year serving as a Captain. Wilson has been a Captain in 12 of the 13 seasons he has played in the NFL.

QB Jacoby Brissett

This is Brissett’s first time being selected as a Captain in 8 seasons in the NFL. Brissett recently was named the starter for New England over former UNC Quarterback Drake Maye.

LB Germaine Pratt

Entering his 6th NFL season, all with the Bengals, this is Pratt’s first time being selected as a Captain.