Week three of the NFL preseason is wrapped up, and some former NC State players got extended playing time. For a few players, it was yet another opportunity to prove they belong on an NFL roster, and for others, it was just some much-needed live game reps as they prepare for the start of the season. Here are some of the Pack pros from this week.
Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
In one of the most shocking football stories in the last few years, former Colts franchise quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement. With that, Brissett moves into the QB1 spot on the depth chart and will be the Colts starting quarterback going forward.
Brissett has 17 games as a starter under his belt, starting two games for the New England Patriots in 2016 and 15 games for the Colts in 2017, while Luck sat out the season with a shoulder injury.
The 2016 third-round pick is widely regarded as one of the best backup quarterbacks in the NFL, and with Luck now in retirement, Brissett will take over an offense with a revamped offensive line, star wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, tight ends Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle, and running backs Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines all at his disposal.
Jakobi Meyers, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Meyers put up another strong stat line in the Patriots’ 10-3 win over the Carolina Panthers Thursday night, hauling in seven passes for 74 yards, the third consecutive game he has recorded at least six receptions and 69 yards.
For seemingly the first time all preseason, though, Meyers struggled a bit. Getting the start alongside quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots first-team offense, Meyers had some early first-quarter miscues.
Brady and Meyers couldn’t get on the same page on a route, leading to an incompletion. Later, Meyers suffered a drop and was called for a holding penalty that wiped out a 30-yard run. The former All-ACC first-team receiver has looked great in the preseason, but he’ll have to cut out the little mistakes to crack a deep Patriots receiving core.
Ryan Finley, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals
Once again, Finley looked calm and poised in the pocket during his roughly two quarters of playing time. Entrenched in the Bengals’ backup quarterback role, Finley completed 14 of 20 passes for 155 yards in a 25-23 loss to the New York Giants.
Despite being the sixth quarterback selected in the 2019 NFL draft, Finley has consistently played like one of the best rookie quarterbacks, completing 73% of his passes for an efficient 6.5 yards per attempt with three touchdowns to just one interception.
Finley has seemingly won the second-string quarterback role, and any struggles or injury for current starter Andy Dalton would lead to Finley getting his chance to shine.
Kelvin Harmon, Wide Receiver, Washington
The former Wolfpack star flashed some of what made him a fan favorite in Raleigh, snagging two catches for 37 yards, including hauling in a contested, back-shoulder throw down the sideline. Harmon impressively opened up and rotated his body to bring down the ball for a 21-yard reception.
Despite only racking up four catches for 54 yards in three preseason games, Harmon has impressed with his ability to high-point the football, make contested catches and block in the running game. The sixth-round pick may not have to wait long to be a key contributor for a Washington team that severely lacks depth at wide receiver.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
A few drives was all the 2010 NC State graduate needed to show he’s already in MVP-caliber form. Wilson completed 6 of 9 passes for 73 yards in the Seahawks’ 23-15 win over the San Diego Chargers, even adding three carries for 31 yards on the ground.
Mike Glennon, Quarterback, Oakland Raiders
One week after putting in a nearly flawless performance in the Raiders’ second preseason game, Glennon came back down to earth a bit. The Raiders’ current second-string quarterback played just the first quarter and completed four of nine passes for 38 yards in their 22-21 win over Green Bay, leading the Raiders to a lone field goal in his three drives.
