Pro Ducks: A look at former Oregon Standouts and Their Impact in the NFL (Part 1)

On the verge of the first football-filled Sunday of the year, let's take a look at Pro Ducks who will be making an impact on the game at the next level.

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We all love watching former Ducks go on to do great things, and the recent run of Oregon's success in the past decade has placed several alumni in the NFL. Whether they're slinging it on offense or shutting it down on defense, Oregon fans will always be proud of their Pro Ducks. Let's take a look at how they're doing at the next level. 

QB Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

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The highest-profile Duck in the league currently, Mariota is in a prove-it type of year. He has yet to receive an extension from the Tennessee Titans and reportedly had to beat out Ryan Tannehill to maintain his starting role. It will be interesting to see what he can do with a more established offensive line and more weapons around him on offense.

DL DeForest Buckner, San Francisco 49ers 

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Coming off of a career year in which he recorded 12 sacks and established himself as a dominant defensive force, Buckner looks to present himself as a household name. Despite his success, Buckner has yet to receive a Pro Bowl nod or garner the recognition that his play merits. Look for him to have a monster year and force his way into discussions of the elite defensive linemen in the NFL.

Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers

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Armstead is in a contract year and coming off of a season that had him trailing only Buckner as the 49ers most valuable defensive player, per Pro Football Focus. In what is suddenly a crowded defensive line room in San Francisco, Armstead will look to sustain his success from the 2018 season and play himself into a large contract for 2020.

Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos

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Many expected Freeman to be the guy in the Denver backfield after being selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft, but he ceded much of the workload due to the meteoric rise of Phillip Lindsay. Nevertheless, Freeman had a productive year with 521 yards and 5 touchdowns and will receive a lot of work in the run-heavy offense of new head coach Vic Fangio. Similar to his time as a Duck, Freeman should receive a lot of work this year with his counterpart Lindsay playing a larger role as a change-of-pace and 3 down back.

Patrick Chung, New England Patriots

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One of the most successful professional Ducks of all time, Chung was unfortunately indicted for cocaine possession just before the start of the 2019 NFL season. He recently pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the ongoing nature of the case means his future in the league is in jeopardy.

Kiko Alonso, New Orleans Saints

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Alonso, a six-year NFL veteran, apparently fell out of favor with the new coaches in Miami this offseason and was promptly traded to the New Orleans Saints. He will have the opportunity to compete for snaps in New Orleans and add to his resume as a productive NFL linebacker.

De’Anthony Thomas, Kansas City Chiefs

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After rumors that Thomas was considering a pivot to running track and field, he instead re-signed with the Chiefs and will make one of the fastest NFL offenses even faster. Thomas has carved out a productive career on the special teams and will look to extend his involvement in a lethal offensive attack in Kansas City.

Ed Dickson, Seattle Seahawks

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Entering his 9th year in the NFL, Ed Dickson will start the year on the injured reserve list. Dickson has been productive as a pass catcher and blocker through his years with the Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers, and he will look to sustain his success in his return to the Pacific Northwest.

Kenjon Barner, Atlanta Falcons

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Barner — a two-time Superbowl champion — was recently named the kickoff and punt returner for the Atlanta Falcons. Barner has flashed his consistency as a returner, particularly in 2016 with the Eagles, and hopes to entrench himself as an asset on special teams in Atlanta.

Tony Brooks-James, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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After receiving opportunities in the preseason with the Atlanta Falcons, Brooks-James was recently signed to the Buccaneers practice squad. In spite of amassing 137 yards and two scores in the Falcons preseason finale, Brooks-James was cut. He will look to earn a spot on the Bucs 53-man roster.