From Chapel Hill To The Nfl: Tracking The Tar Heels In 2026

Are you ready for some football? Yes, the college season started this past weekend, but the NFL season is now less than a week away (the Seahawks and Patriots face off on Wednesday) and with rosters and practice squads set, it’s time to do a roundup where all the former Tar Heel professionals have landed. Even if you have a favorite NFL team, it is always good to see where our UNC guys are being employed whether to cheer them on, check out their stats, or even to add them to the back end of your fantasy roster. So without further ado, here is where the former Tar Heels are playing (teams are listed in alphabetical order).

Baltimore Ravens (2)

WR Devontez Walker is entering his third season with the Ravens. He is one of six receivers on the active roster and is coming off a season where he had six receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns. LB Kaimon Ruckers is entering his second season in the NFL and is currently on the Ravens practice squad for the second straight season after producing seven tackles and a sack during the preseason.

Dallas Cowboys (2)

RB Javonte Williams is entering his sixth season in the league and will be the Cowboys starter for the second straight season after setting career highs with 1,201 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns on 252 carries last season. QB Sam Howell was just named the Cowboys backup after spending last season buried down the Philadelphia Eagles depth chart.

Houston Texans (3)

RB British Brooks starts his second season with the Texans third on the depth chart after finishing last season with 78 yards on 17 carries. S MJ Stewart, who is entering his fifth season with Houston, is starting the season on the PUP list as he is still recovering from a quad injury that ended his season last year. DB Alijah Huzzie is entering his second season with the Texans on the practice squad. He will be looking to get elevated again and improve on his four tackle, one interception game he had against the Indianapolis Colts last season.

 Indianapolis Colts (1)

WR Josh Downs is entering a pivotal fourth year with the Colts after having a career worst season with 58 receptions for 566 yards and four touchdowns. Downs is listed as a starter on the depth chart and with a big year could secure a second important contract in Indianapolis.

Kansas City Chiefs (1)

G Joshua Ezeudu is playing his first season with the Chiefs after spending his first four seasons with the New York Giants. Ezeudu was acquired in a trade a week ago and is currently listed third on the depth chart at the left guard position.

Los Angeles Chargers (1)

RB Omarion Hampton is in his second year with the Chargers following an injury plagued rookie season that held him to just 124 carries for 545 yards and four touchdowns in just nine games last season. Hampton enters this season as the lead back for a Los Angeles team looking to improve on their season from last year that ended with a Wild Card loss to the New England Patriots.

Los Angeles Rams (1)

T Austin Blaske made the Rams practice squad as an undrafted rookie. He probably wont see much regular season action this season as Los Angeles has their eyes set on another Lombardi Trophy after loading up in trades this off season.

Miami Dolphins (1)

LB Amari Gainer made the Dolphins practice squad after spending last season on the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad. Gainer is entering his third year and has a chance to see regular season playing time as Miami is being picked by many to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season.

Minnesota Vikings (2)

DB Marcus Allen is starting his rookie season on the Vikings injured reserve list. This happened after the initial cutdown day, so he has the chance to return later this season. DE Jahvaree Ritzie made the Minnesota practice squad after recording four tackles this preseason.

New England Patriots (2)

QB Drake Maye enters his third season with the Patriots after leading the team to the Super Bowl last season and finishing second in the MVP voting. He will be joined once again by WR Mack Hollins who is entering his second season with New England after recording 46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns. Hollins will probably be looking at less reps this season as the Patriots added a new top receiver in AJ Brown this offseason.

New Orleans Saints (2)

T Asim Richards is entering his fifth season in the league and second with the Saints as a swing tackle after spending his first three with the Dallas Cowboys.  RB Ty Chandler will spend his first season in New Orleans on their season ending injured reserve list.

New York Giants (1)

DB Thaddeus Dixon will spend his rookie season on the Giants season ending injury reserve after tearing his Achilles Tendon back in May.

Philadelphia Eagles (1)

C Willie Lampkin is entering his first season with the Eagles after being waived by the Los Angeles Rams last offseason with an injury designation. Lampkin is currently listed as Philadelphia’s third string center.

Pittsburgh Steelers (1)

LB Cole Holcomb is entering his fourth season with the Steelers as a backup linebacker. Holcomb signed a two-year deal with Pittsburgh this offseason.

Seattle Seahawks (2)

LB Chazz Surratt returns to the Seahawks as a backup linebacker and special teams player after winning a Super Bowl with the team last season. LB Power Echols will spend this season on Seattle’s injured reserve after he cleared waivers. Echols spent parts of his rookie season on practice squads for both the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans.

Tennessee Titans (3)

LB Cedric Gray is entering his pivotal fourth season as a starting linebacker for the Titans after leading the team in tackles last season by a wide margin (he had 164 tackles, the second and third place tacklers on the team combined for 162). QB Mitch Trubisky will be backing up last years number one pick Cam Ward after spending his past two seasons backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo. RB Michael Carter made the Titans’ practice squad after spending the past two season with the Arizona Cardinals.

Washington Commanders (1)

WR Dyami Brown returns to the Commanders after a brief detour with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. Brown is one of four receivers listed on the Washington depth chart and should have opportunities on a team in desperate need of playmaking.

So, who are you pulling for this NFL season (I am a Niners fan)? Let us know in the comments below.