’hoos In The Nfl: Checking In On Every Former Cavalier Ahead Of Week 1

We’re less than a week away from the long-awaited return of the National Football League, and once again this season, the Virginia Cavaliers will be well-represented on Sundays.

Six former ’Hoos earned spots on their respective teams’ initial 53-man rosters, and another crop of Cavaliers were brought back to practice squads across the league.

Here’s where every former Virginia football player in the NFL stands heading into Week 1:

Olamide Zaccheus | WR, Atlanta Falcons

After stints in Philadelphia, Washington, and Chicago, respectively, over the past three seasons, Olamide Zaccheaus is back with the Atlanta Falcons, the franchise where he spent the first four seasons of his NFL career.

Beyond Drake London, one of the game’s top wideouts, the Falcons don’t have another proven NFL wide receiver on the roster other than Zaccheus. The 2018 First Team All-ACC selection will be competing with a pair of journeymen, Chris Blair and Jahan Dotson, and a rookie third-round selection, Zachariah Branch, for targets behind London while providing a steadying veteran presence in the locker room.

Malik Washington | WR, Miami Dolphins

A sixth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2024, Malik Washington will have the biggest opportunity of his young career in year three. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle no longer in Miami, the door is open for Washington to step into a leading role for new quarterback Malik Willis.

Virginia fans know plenty well what Washington is capable of after he set program records for single-season receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,426) in 2023. Now, despite the Dolphins projecting to be one of the league’s worst teams this season, Washington has the chance to make a name for himself at the next level.

Morgan Moses | OT, New England Patriots

Now quite the grizzled veteran, Morgan Moses enters his 13th NFL season this year. After a Super Bowl appearance with the Patriots this past February, Moses will once again be anchoring the right side of the offensive line for young quarterback Drake Maye.

Jonas Sanker | NB, New Orleans Saints

A third-round pick by the Saints in 2025, Jonas Sanker had a stellar rookie campaign in New Orleans. The Charlottesville native racked up 80 total tackles, a pair of interceptions, six pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in a dynamic debut season.

Now, Sanker will take on an increased role as a projected day-one starter for a revamped New Orleans defense. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley has asked Sanker to take on the challenge of nickelback this offseason, and the early reports indicate that the former ’Hoo is adjusting well and primed for another big year.

Jelani Woods | TE, New York Jets

Jelani Woods seemed ready to become an impact player in the NFL after a strong rookie season in 2022 for the Indianapolis Colts, but the injury bug has been cruel to the former Cavalier over the past few years.

Woods missed all of 2023 with hamstring problems and then all of 2024 with a season-ending preseason turf toe injury. In 2025, Woods finally found his way back to the field and registered a reception for the first time in 1,085 days. Though he appeared in just four games for the New York Jets, it was a great step back toward becoming a meaningful NFL contributor once again.

Woods is now fully healthy heading into 2026 and earned a spot on New York’s initial 53-man roster. Though he has some big names ahead of him on the depth chart, namely rookie first-round selection Kenyon Sadiq, Woods will finally get another chance to flash his immense talent this year.

Dontayvion Wicks | WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Dontayvion Wicks heads into 2026 as one of the league’s biggest breakout candidates. After being traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, Wicks should have a much greater opportunity to see the field this season. And reports from Philly’s training camp have been overwhelmingly positive regarding Wicks’s potential in his new home.

The former ’Hoo earned a one-year, $12.5 million extension this offseason, and the returns on the field could be huge with an organization that has expressed some serious confidence in his talent.

Joey Blount | S, Arizona Cardinals

The special teams standout was unfortunately placed on season-ending injured reserve during training camp with a neck injury. Blount also suffered a neck injury that ended his season last year.

Practice Squad

• J’Mari Taylor | RB, Jaguars
• Mitchell Melton | DE, Colts
• Bryce Hall | CB, Texans

Rookie running back J’Mari Taylor generated some serious training camp buzz after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Jaguars. Though he didn’t quite make Jacksonville’s initial 53, the opportunity remains for Taylor to find the field this season after landing on the practice squad. Fellow undrafted rookie Mitchell Melton landed on the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad after recording a pair of tackles this preseason. Meanwhile, it’s been a discouraging, injury-riddled past few seasons for Bryce Hall, who ended up on the Texans’ practice squad. The sixth-year pro had six tackles and two pass deflections this preseason and will be looking to find his way to the active roster in Houston at some point this season.