Following Terps In The NFL

With the NFL’s final cuts behind us and the regular season about to begin, we now have a firm grasp of which Maryland football alumni will be suiting up as pros this year. It remains to be seen whether or not there will be Big Ten football this fall but, while that’s being sorted out, Terps fans can follow their former Maryland favorites on the NFL gridiron.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Here are the former Maryland football players to watch for in Week 1 of the NFL:

Yannick Ngakoue, Minnesota Vikings – DE

Week 1 Opponent: vs. Green Bay Packers – Sunday, 1 p.m. on FOX

Sporting a new jersey in a new city this year, Ngakoue heads way north via trade from Jacksonville to Minnesota just a few weeks ago. He’ll get an early taste of his new team’s biggest rivalry when the Vikings square off with the Packers on Sunday. Ngakoue was assigned the franchise tag in Jacksonville, which he was not pleased about. He eventually was able to force his way out and will bring with him to Minnesota a Pro Bowl appearance (2017), 37.5 sacks, and 14 forced fumbles from his four-year career.

Darnell Savage, Green Bay Packers – S

Week 1 Opponent: at Minnesota Vikings – Sunday, 1 p.m. on FOX

Savage had a stellar start to his rookie season last year but was slowed by injuries towards the end. He’ll be opposing his former teammate in Ngakoue during the NFL’s opening weekend. He’ll look to build off a campaign in which he was in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation, and it starts with a big game against a division foe.

Ty Johnson, Detroit Lions – RB

Week 1 Opponent: vs. Chicago Bear – Sunday, 1 p.m. on FOX

Johnson saw some run last year as a rookie after Detroit’s backfield was depleted by injuries. He’ll be part of a crowded running back room in 2020 that features the return of oft-injured Kerryon Johnson and second-round rookie DeAndre Swift. The Lions also just added recently cut veteran running back and future Hall of Famer Adrian Peterson. The fact that Johnson made Detroit’s final cuts is a good thing, but his role may be mostly served on special teams this season unless the Lions backfield gets bit by the injury bug again.

Josh Woods, Chicago Bears – LB

Week 1 Opponent: at Detroit Lions – Sunday, 1 p.m. on FOX

Woods transitioned from safety to linebacker in order to give himself a better chance of sticking in the NFL, and he has done just that. Woods will be entering his second season with the Bears and is coming off a year in which he played nine games for Chicago. He’ll square off against Johnson’s Lions in Week 1 for a heated NFC North rivalry game.

Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills – WR

Week 1 Opponent: vs. New York Jets – Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS

Another former Terp on a new team this season, Diggs is looking to make an instant impact in Buffalo, starting against the Jets in Week 1. This will be Diggs’ first chance to show the type of chemistry he has built up with Bills quarterback Josh Allen so far. A matchup against a weak Jets secondary is a good spot for it.

Quinton Jefferson, Buffalo Bills – DT

Week 1 Opponent: vs.New York Jets – Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS

Jefferson saw his role grow in each of his four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. Like Ngakoue and Diggs, he too will be playing for a new team in 2020. Jefferson now resides in Buffalo with Diggs and should have a big role on the Bills’ defensive line right away after signing a two-year, $13.5 million contract this offseason.

JC Jackson, New England Patriots – CB

Week 1 Opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins – Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS

Jackson emerged as one of the game’s best young corners last season. He’ll look to build on that momentum this season. With Stephon Gilmore on the other side, Jackson often gets the luxury of lining up against the opposing team’s second- or third-best receiving options.

Byron Cowart, New England Patriots – DT

Week 1 Opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins – Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS

Cowart was a backup for New England last season but could see an increased role this year with several Patriots defensive players opting out of the season. The former No. 1 overall recruit out of high school will likely see some action against the Dolphins in Week 1.

DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers – WR

Week 1 Opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS

Moore has already proven to be one of the NFL’s youngest stud receivers. Finishing ninth in receiving yards with lackluster quarterback play last season, Moore should be able to continue his upward trajectory with a more reliable Teddy Bridgewater now under center in Carolina.

Jermaine Carter, Carolina Panthers – LB

Week 1 Opponent: vs. Las Vegas Raiders – Sunday, 1 p.m. on CBS

Carter gives Carolina some depth at linebacker and a reliable special teamer. He’ll certainly receive solid defensive coaching from the Pathers new head coach Matt Rhule.

Sean Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers – S

Week 1 Opponent: at New York Giants – Monday, 7:10 p.m. on ESPN

Davis was cut by the Washington Football Team recently but was signed by Pittsburgh a day later. The four-year veteran is familiar with the Steel City, having spent his entire career there so far.

Anthony McFarland, Pittsburgh Steelers – RB

Week 1 Opponent: at New York Giants – Monday, 7:10 p.m. on ESPN

Currently listed as the fourth running back on Pittsburgh’s depth chart, it likely still wouldn’t surprise anyone if McFarland carved out a role for himself in his rookie season with the Steelers. McFarland has breakaway speed that you just can’t teach and it could take just one touch to get him some more attention.

Practice Squad Players:

Cincinnati Bengals: Keandre Jones – LB

Cleveland Browns: Michael Dunn – OG

Pittsburgh Steelers: Antoine Brooks – S, Derwin Gray – OT, Trey Edmunds – RB

Seattle Seahawks: Tyler Mabry – TE