Wildcats In The NFL: Training Camp Edition
With training camp rolling along and teams starting to gear more towards game prep as the preseason is finally among us, we take a look at where each Northwestern alumni stands in regards to their spot on the depth chart and their roster security. Over the course of the next three weeks, as the preseason progresses, the status of these Wildcats will become more clear, but for now, here is where they stand.
JR Pace (Atlanta Falcons) - Undrafted Free Agent '21
Pace is listed as the third string free safety on the depth chart, as the Falcons head into their first preseason game against the Titans. Pace will not only be looking to make the most out of his defensive snaps, but will look to show the coaching staff that he brings value to the special teams unit as well.
John Raine (Atlanta Falcons) - Undrafted Free Agent '21
Raine is listed as the sixth string tight end on the depth chart, as the Falcons head into their first preseason game against the Titans. Raine has an uphill climb if he wants to make the roster and is most realistically shooting for a spot on the practice roster. However, just like Pace, Raine will try to make an impact on special teams and prove his worth.
Paddy Fisher (Carolina Panthers) - Undrafted Free Agent '21
Fisher is listed as the fourth string middle linebacker on the depth chart, as the Panthers head into their first preseason game against the Colts. However, Fisher has impressed in training camp, most notably receiving praise from Panther's legend Steve Smith Sr. raving about his energy and intensity. Fisher may be a long shot to make the final 53 man roster, but he has definitely made a strong impression in camp.
Nate Hall (Carolina Panthers) - Undrafted Free Agent '19
Hall is listed as the third string right outside linebacker on the depth chart, as the Panthers head into their first preseason game against the Colts. Claimed off waivers from the Texans, Hall will be competing for a backup role and is viewed as more of a 'depth signing' than anything else.
Riley Lees (Cincinnati Bengals) - Undrafted Free Agent '21
Lees is listed as the third string 'Y' receiver (slot receiver) on the depth chart, as the Bengals head into their first preseason game against the Buccaneers. Lees will have a tough time making the final 53 man roster, as the Bengals have a loaded receiving corps already. Look for Lees to try and carve a role as a punt returner, as he will look to make the practice squad.
Gunnar Vogel (Cincinnati Bengals) - Undrafted Free Agent '21
Vogel is listed as the fourth string left tackle on the depth chart, as the Bengals head into their first preseason game against the Buccaneers. Knowing what happened to Joe Burrow last year and the state of the offensive line, it is no secret that the Bengals will be looking for any possible solution to help shore up the problems up front. Vogel will have an opportunity in the preseason to show the coaches that he can be a valuable depth piece, but even with all that being said, the odds are stacked against Vogel making the final 53 man roster.
Blake Hance (Cleveland Browns) - Undrafted Free Agent '19
Hance is listed as the second string right guard on the depth chart, as the Browns head into their first preseason game against the Jaguars. Everyone in Cleveland remembers Hance being thrown into the fire last year in their two playoff games and holding up moderately well. Clearly that left a lasting impression on the coaching staff as they now have Hance listed as the number two right guard. While battling an ankle injury right now, if Hance can get healthy look for him to make the final 53 man roster and see game action this year.
Greg Newsome II (Cleveland Browns) - Round 1, Pick 26 '21
Newsome II is listed as the third string cornerback on the depth chart, as the Browns head into their first preseason game against the Jaguars. The first rounder has been turning plenty of heads at training camp and has been very impressive according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. Newsome II will see a lot of action this year in hopes to help improve a mediocre Cleveland secondary from last year. Whether that be in the slot or on the outside, look for Newsome II to make a large impact.
Anthony Walker (Cleveland Browns) - Round 5, Pick 161 '17
Walker is listed as the starting MIKE linebacker on the depth chart, as the Browns head into their first preseason game against the Jaguars. Walker will play a pivotal role for the Cleveland defense and their linebacker unit, which was arguably the weakest link on last year's team. Walker will be wearing the green dot and calling plays for the defense, which goes to show how much faith and trust the coaches have in Walker. Look for him to drastically improve Cleveland's defense this season.
Hunter Niswander (Dallas Cowboys) - Undrafted Free Agent '20
Niswander is listed as the second string placekicker on the depth chart, as the Cowboys head into their second preseason game against the Cardinals. While being thrust into kicking duties while Greg Zuerlein recovers from injury, things didn't go well for Niswander in the Hall of Fame game last Thursday against the Steelers. While striking his first attempt through the uprights from 29 yards out, his second attempt was blocked and his third attempt at a 52-yarder was absolutely shanked and not even close. While Niswander is also in contention to be the team's punter, it will be a long shot for Niswander to make the roster if everyone is healthy. Nonetheless, this is a great opportunity for Niswander to put out some great tape and show other clubs that he belongs in the league.
Godwin Igwebuike (Detroit Lions) - Undrafted Free Agent '18
Igwebuike is listed as the sixth string running back on the depth chart, as the Lions head into their first preseason game against the Bills. The Lions' coaching staff made an interesting choice to move Igwebuike from his strong safety position to now taking handoffs in the backfield as running back. While having experience as a running back in high school, Igwebuike will have a tough mountain to climb if he wants to make the final 53 man roster. Look for Igwebuike to be viewed as more of a 'camp body' unfortunately.
Tyler Lancaster (Green Bay Packers) - Undrafted Free Agent '18
Lancaster is listed as the third string defensive end on the depth chart, as the Packers head into their first preseason game against the Texans. Lancaster, who has been an excellent run defender in his first few years in the league, will be pushing for a good amount of playing time this year. The Packers will call on Lancaster on run downs and goal line packages when they need to get stops up front.
Dean Lowry (Green Bay Packers) - Round 4, Pick 137 '16
Lowry is listed as the starting defensive end on the depth chart, as the Packers head into their first preseason game against the Texans. Packer fans are no stranger to big 94 on the defensive line. Lowry will once again help anchor Green Bay's defense up front. While his numbers have dipped in recent seasons, Lowry is still the man for the job as he continues to do the dirty work up front that doesn't always get recognized in the stat sheet.
Ibraheim Campbell (Indianapolis Colts) Round 4, Pick 115 '15
Campbell is listed as the third string free safety on the depth chart, as the Colts head into their first preseason game against the Panthers. Joining his seventh team in seven years, Campbell will be facing an uphill battle to make the final 53-man roster. Campbell will be hoping to make an impact on the defense and make the most of his snaps he receives in the preseason, along with his role on special teams.
Joe Gaziano (Los Angeles Chargers) - Undrafted Free Agent
Gaziano is listed as the sixth string defensive end on the depth chart, as the Chargers head into their first preseason game against the Rams. Gaziano will have a hard time making the final 53-man roster, as the Chargers have a very deep and talented defensive line room. Although he saw action in two games last year, it is likely Gaziano lands on the practice squad, if he doesn't get picked up by another team after the final cuts.
Justin Jackson (Los Angeles Chargers) - Round 7, Pick 251 '18
Jackson is listed as the number two running back on the depth chart, as the Chargers head into their first preseason game against the Rams. With Austin Ekeler missing six games last year, Jackson was able to get plenty of snaps and seize firm control as the second back heading into this season. While currently placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 List, look for Jackson to get the bulk of the carries behind Ekeler.
Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers) - Round 1, Pick 13 '21
Slater is listed as the starting left tackle on the depth chart, as the Chargers head into their first preseason game against the Rams. It is no secret that the Chargers struggled to protect franchise quarterback Justin Herbert last year, so they went out and drafted Slater in the first round. By all accounts Slater has lived up to his first round billing and then some, absolutely dominating guys in camp. Herbert has to be smiling from ear to ear knowing that his blindside will be well protected for years to come.
Earnest Brown IV (Los Angeles Rams) - Round 5, Pick 174 '21
Brown IV is listed as the third string defensive end on the depth chart, as the Rams head into their first preseason game against the Chargers. Look for Brown IV to carve a backup role on this talented Los Angeles defensive front. While listed third on the depth chart, Brown IV will have ample opportunities this preseason to impress the coaches and push for playing time this season.
Trevor Siemian (New Orleans Saints) - Round 7, Pick 250 '15
Siemian is listed as the fourth string quarterback on the depth chart, as the Saints head into their first preseason game against the Ravens. Sean Payton and the Saints will be looking to fill the enormous shoes left behind by future Hall of Fame Drew Brees, and by all account that is going to be Jameis Winston, with Taysom Hill receiving his usual gadget snaps. With those two and rookie Ian Book ahead of Siemian on the depth chart, look for Siemian to be cut in the next couple of weeks as the preseason concludes.
Montre Hartage (New York Giants) - Undrafted Free Agent '19
Hartage is listed as the third string safety on the depth chart, as the Giants head into their first preseason game against the Jets. Hartage followed defensive coordinator Patrick Graham from Miami to New York a season ago and was kept around on the practice squad mainly as an insurance policy in case of injury. With a crowded secondary room, look for Hartage to find a similar role as he ends up on the practice squad once again.
Ifeadi Odenigbo (New York Giants) - Round 7, Pick 220 '17
Odenigbo is listed as the second string defensive end on the depth chart, as the Giants head into their first preseason game against the Jets. Coming off a year in which he had 3.5 sacks for the Vikings, Odenigbo will be looking to make the leap and have a breakout year this season. It was only two years ago when he recorded seven sacks, so it is clear that Odenigbo has the talent and the tools to get after the quarterback. The Giants will be counting on Odenigbo to produce at a high level in the role that he is going to be in.
Clayton Thorson (New York Giants) - Round 5, Pick 167 '19
Thorson is listed as the third string quarterback on the depth chart, as the Giants head into their first preseason game against the Jets. The Giants most likely will opt to keep just two quarterbacks on the roster, starter Daniel Jones and backup Mike Glennon, which leave Thorson as the odd man out. However, in the uncertain times we are still in and COVID being very much a factor, Thorson could be held on to as their emergency quarterback if a situation ever arises.
Joseph Jones (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - Undrafted Free Agent '17
Jones is listed as the third string inside linebacker on the depth chart, as the Buccaneers head into their first preseason game against the Bengals. Jones will more likely than not have a greater impact on special teams than he does on the defensive side of the ball. Over the years Jones has proven to be a key member to whatever special teams unit he is on, and look for that to continue in Tampa Bay.
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Jack Savage is a Reporter and Contributor for Wildcats Daily on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Savage is a UCLA alum and is currently pursuing his MSJ at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism.