The NFL season begins Thursday night as the Philadelphia Eagles host the Atlanta Falcons. Let’s take a look at where former NC State football players are to begin the season.

Philip Rivers, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers

Rivers is coming off a year where he threw for 4,500 yards and had the Chargers on the brink of the playoffs. As he enters his 15th season, he didn’t play in the second or fourth preseason game and is entrenched as the starter.

Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks

Wilson enters his seventh year in the NFL. He is the Seahawks franchise player and will be the quarterback for the foreseeable future. Like Rivers, Wilson is trying to get his team back to the playoffs after narrowly missing the mark last year.

Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts

Brissett started 15 games last year for the Colts but enters this year as the backup to Andrew Luck. The good news for Brissett is that if Luck stays healthy, Brissett could get traded to a team that needs a quarterback. Whether it’s with the Colts or another team, Brissett should start some games this year.

Mike Glennon, Quarterback, Arizona Cardinals

Glennon has become somewhat of a journeyman backup quarterback and is now with the Cardinals. He’s the third-string quarterback and is also a candidate to be on a different team come the second-half of the season.

2018 Draft Class

Bradley Chubb, Defensive End, Denver Broncos 

Chubb is the starting defensive end opposite All-Pro Von Miller and is a leading candidate to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.

B.J. Hill, Defensive End, New York Giants 

Hill has done everything well to impress his team in the early going. He’s in the rotation at defensive end (the Giants run a 3-4 defense) and could even start at certain points of the season.

Justin Jones, Defensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers

Jones also impressed his new team but struggled with injuries during training camp. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready to begin the season but when he’s ready, he will immediately join the rotation.

Nyheim Hines, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts

Hines struggled with four fumbles in his first two games. He still made the roster but is further down the depth chart. He will have to play well in practice and in limited opportunities to earn trust back.

Kentavius Street, Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers

Street tore his ACL in a pre-draft workout and won’t play this year.

Will Richardson, Offensive Tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars 

Richardson likely won’t play much this year but it’s clear the Jaguars have big plans for him and expect him to be a cornerstone on the offensive line in the future.

Jaylen Samuels, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers 

Samuels has a huge opportunity to open the 2018 season. Le’Veon Bell is one of the best running backs in the NFL and hasn’t shown up to practice as he waits for a new contract. Samuels is currently third on the Steelers depth chart at running back but his versatility and nose for the end zone will help him find some playing time, especially while Bell is out.

None of the 2018 undrafted players made a roster. 

2017 Draft Class

Josh Jones, Safety, Green Bay Packers

Jones showed flashes in his rookie year and profiles as a future starter for the Packers. That likely won’t happen to start the year but Jones should still have a big role.

Matt Dayes, Running Back, Free Agent

Dayes was cut from the Browns despite a touchdown in the fourth preseason game. He is a candidate to be picked up by another team or potentially make the practice squad.

Jack Tocho, Safety, Minnesota Vikings

Tocho was cut from the roster but was signed to the practice squad for the second year in a row.

Others

Joe Thuney, Offensive Guard, New England Patriots

Thuney has started every game of his NFL career as starting offensive guard and enters his third year with the Patriots.

David  Amerson, Cornerback, Free Agent

Amerson struggled in the preseason with the Kansas City Chiefs and was cut. 

Dontae Johnson, Cornerback, Seattle Seahawks

Johnson has played in all but one game in his four-year career. He signed with the Seahawks in the offseason after beginning his career with the 49ers. Johnson currently projects as a starter for Seattle.