The 2018 NFL season officially kicks off tonight, but before it does, here’s a breakdown of where the 17 former NC State players (7 starters) currently on 53-man rosters sit on their respective depth charts.
Quarterback Philip Rivers is entering his 15th season, and all of them have been with the Chargers, and has started every game for Los Angeles since 2006, after being drafted with the 4th overall pick in 2004. Rivers is a 7-time Pro Bowler, and has led the NFL in Passing Yards (2010), Passing Touchdowns (2008), Passer Rating (2008), and Completion Percentage (2013). His 50,348 career passing yards ranks 9th all-time in NFL history.
Quarterback Russell Wilson is entering his 7th season, and all of them have been with the Seattle Seahawks, who drafted him in the 3rd round (75th pick) of the 2012 draft. He has started every single game for Seattle since entering the league. Wilson has led Seattle to 2 Super Bowls in 6 seasons, taking home the Lombardi trophy in 2014. He is a 4-time Pro Bowler, and has led the NFL in passing touchdowns (2017) and passer rating (2015) in single seasons.
Joe Thuney is the starting Left Guard for the New England Patriots, and has started every game since being drafted by them in the third round in 2016.
Rookie Bradley Chubb is Denver’s starting Strongside Linebacker, on the other side of sensation Von Miller. The Broncos drafted Chubb with the 5th overall pick in this summers NFL Draft. Chubb is making the switch from defensive end to linebacker.
Rookie BJ Hill enters his first NFL game as a starting defensive end for the New York Giants in their 3-4 scheme. Hill is making the transition from defensive tackle to defensive end.
Dontae Johnson is entering his 5th year, and his first season in Seattle. After starting all 16 games last season for the 49ers, Johnson enters 2018 as the starting right cornerback for the Seahawks. Through 4 seasons, he has played in 63 games, starting in 22 of them (158 tackles and 2 interceptions). The 49ers drafted Johnson in the 4th round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Steven Hauschka is entering his 11th NFL season, and this year is his first year as the starter for the Buffalo Bills. He currently has the 8th most career total points amongst active NFL kickers.
Jacoby Brissett is entering his 3rd season in the NFL, and is the backup quarterback to Andrew Luck for the Colts. He started 15 games for Indianapolis last season while Luck was hurt, and is one of the most coveted backup quarterbacks in the NFL, but the Colts don’t want to give him up.
Josh Jones is entering his 2nd season after being drafted by Green Bay in the 2nd round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He enters 2018 as the 2nd string Safety behind Kentrell Brice. In his first season he played in all 16 games, and started 7 (71 tackles & 1 interception).
Ted Larsen is entering his 9th season in the NFL, and his 2nd year in Miami. Larsen enters 2018 as the 2nd string Left Guard behind Josh Sitton. Throughout 8 seasons, he has played in 110 career games, and started in 73. Larsen was drafted by the Patriots in the 6th round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Rookie Will Richardson enters his 1st season as the 2nd string Right Tackle for the Jaguars behind Jermey Parnell. Jacksonville drafted him with in the 4th round of this years NFL Draft.
JR Sweezy is entering his 7th season (missed one whole season due to injury), and he is back with Seattle after spending the past two years in Tampa Bay. He enters 2018 as the Seahawks 2nd string Right Guard behind DJ Fluker. Through 5 active seasons, Sweezy has played 73 games, and has started 63 of them. The Seahawks drafted Sweezy in the 7th round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Rookie Justin Jones enters 2018 as the 2nd string Defensive Tackle for the Chargers behind Darius Philon. Los Angeles drafted Jones in the 3rd round this summer.
Rookie Jaylen Samuels enters 2018 as the 2nd string running back behind James Conner, due to Le’Veon Bell refusing to sign his Franchise Tag. Samuels was drafted in the 5th round by Pittsburgh in this summers NFL Draft.
Juston Burris is entering his 3rd season after being drafted in the 4th round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jets, and he is still with New York. Burris enters 2018 as their 3rd string cornerback. Through 2 seasons, Burris has seen action in 30 games (2 starts), and has recorded 37 tackles and 2 interceptions.
TY McGill is entering his 4th season in the league after going undrafted in 2015. After being waived by the Chiefs a few weeks back, the Chargers claimed him, and he is their 3rd string defensive tackle. In 3 seasons, McGill has played in 28 games (18 tackles & 5 sacks).
Mike Glennon is entering his 6th season in the NFL, and his first in Arizona. He enters 2018 as the Cardinals 3rd string quarterback behind Sam Bradford and Josh Rosen. In 5 seasons, Glennon has played in 25 games, starting in 22 of them. Tampa Bay selected Glennon in the 3rd round of the 2013 NFL Draft.
Rookie Nyneim Hines enters 2018 as the 3rd string running back and 3rd string kickoff returner for the Colts. Indianapolis drafted him in then 4th round this summer.