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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

NFL Preview: Arizona Wildcats in the NFL

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Tyler Baker
Tyler Baker / The Daily Wildcat

With just 11 days until the start of the NFL regular season, many Arizona Wildcats fans may see some familiar faces this upcoming season.

TE Rob Gronkowski — The former Super Bowl Champions, the New England Patriots, hoist one of the best tight ends in the game, and this season should be no different. ‘Gronk’ is entering his sixth season after leaving the Arizona football program early to enter the NFL draft. Last season, Gronk hauled in 12 touchdowns and 1,124 yards on offense.

QB Nick Foles — Many quarterbacks might have a difficult time embracing change. Foles, on the other hand, is ready to take over the reins of the St. Louis Rams after suffering a season-ending injury last season. Foles is entering his fourth season in the NFL. When healthy, Foles showed the entire world how much damage he could do just two seasons ago. With a new program and quick wide receivers, Arizona Wildcat fans should want to watch Foles do damage on Sundays.

RB Ka’Deem Carey — Entering his second season with the Chicago Bears, Ka’Deem Carey was one of the most explosive running backs Wildcat fans had ever seen. Last season, Carey rushed for 158 yards on 36 attempts, with his longest rush being just 15 yards. Carey, a fourth-round pick in 2014, has come up on the rumor mill in trades this summer. At the moment, Carey is second on the depth chart at the running back position behind tenured back Matt Forte.

DT Earl Mitchell — After five years in the NFL, people know Earl Mitchell’s name. Mitchell totaled 33 combined tackles last season and two sacks. Entering his sixth season in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins have Mitchell starting at defensive tackle alongside Ndamukong Suh.

MLB Marquis Flowers — Flowers is entering his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals after being drafted in the sixth round in 2014. Last season, Flowers totaled eight combined tackles. On the depth chart, Flowers is the backup to Rey Maualuga at middle linebacker.

FS Robert Golden — Entering his fourth season for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Golden will be a backup safety according to the Steelers Depth Chart. Pending injuries, Golden may see some action on defense this season.

LB Brooks Reed — Reed totaled 41 combined tackles last season, three sacks and an interception. Entering his fifth season of play, Reed starts on the Atlanta Falcons at the linebacker position.

K Nick Folk — Picked in the sixth round back in 2007, Folk has pretty much seen it all as he enters his ninth season in the NFL with the New York Jets. Folk was 32-39 on field goal attempts last season.

Tackle Fabbians Ebbele signed with the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted rookie free agent and is fighting for a roster spot. Defensive Lineman Dan Pettinato is also fighting for a roster spot after signing as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Houston Texans. Guard Mickey Baucus announced his retirement on July 23 this summer after signing with the Miami Dolphins. Receiver Austin Hill was cut by the Oakland Raiders earlier this summer and is still hunting for a roster spot.


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