Arizona Wildcats in the NFL: Cayleb Jones and Nick Folk survive cuts

Preseason Week 3 saw a lot of former Wildcats in action

With week 3 of the NFL preaseason in the books, the regular season is getting closer and closer. That means less time for players to impress enough to make a team’s roster.

Cayleb Jones (Philadelphia Eagles) and Nick Folk (New York Jets) both survived the latest series of cuts from their respective teams. That leaves Jones as one of eight remaining receivers on the Eagles’ roster and Folk as the first string kicker.

With 16 Arizona alums currently in the NFL, let’s take a look at how they fared this past weekend.

Scooby Wright III, LB, Cleveland Browns

Scooby’s Browns faced off against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Friday (August 26) and ended up losing 30-13. Scooby had just one tackle in the match up. So far he has recorded four tackles this preseason. I do expect him to make the roster come the regular season.

David Richards, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Richards did not have any stats in the Rams’ loss against the Denver Broncos on Saturday (August 27). He hasn’t recorded any catches this preseason. He will have to work hard in order to make the regular season roster and not much time to do it. He has made some appearances on HBO’s "Hard Knocks". If you haven’t seen the show, you are doing yourself a disservice.

Austin Hill, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Hill had one catch for seven yards against the Broncos on Saturday (his only catch this preseason). He too will have to work hard in order to make the roster. He has, however, had a prominent showing on "Hard Knocks", especially episodes two and three.

Trevin Wade, DB, New York Giants

Wade had a pretty good showing Saturday against the Jets. He racked up three tackles in the Giants’ one point win. He has recorded nine tackles so far and I believe he will make the roster.

Brooks Reed, LB, Atlanta Falcons

Reed only had a PBU during his team’s game against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday (August 25). He has totaled five tackles, one TFL, and one PBU this preseason. I do expect him to make the roster, mainly as a back up.

Will Parks, S, Denver Broncos

Parks, overall, has had himself a strong preseason. On Saturday against the Rams, he recorded one tackle. He has racked up three tackles, 1.5 sacks, and a TFL so far. I see him not only making the cut, but being a contributor this year for the Broncos.

Dan Pettinato, DE, Houston Texans

Pettinato had a good showing against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday (August 28). He racked up four tackles in the 34-24 Texans win. He has totaled five tackles and one PBU this preseason. He might make the roster, maybe the practice squad at least.

Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots

Gronk hasn’t had any playing time this preseason. Let’s be honest though, does he really need it?

Cayleb Jones, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Jones has had a solid preseason as well. On Saturday, he had one catch for 22 yards in an Eagles win vs. the Indianapolis Colts. In three weeks, he has had five catches for 45 yards. As mentioned above, he has survived this week’s cuts by the Eagles. He should make the roster, and if not he’ll be on the practice squad.

Earl Mitchell, DT, Miami Dolphins

Mitchell has had a quiet preseason. He hasn’t recorded any stats and I’m not sure where he stands with the Dolphins. We’ll know by this weekend or next week.

Robert Golden, S, Pittsburgh Steelers

Golden had a nice game on Friday in the Steelers’ win against the New Orleans Saints. He racked up three tackles, giving him a preseason stat line of seven tackles. His work in the preseason has drawn high praise from Mike Tomlin. We can expect to see him play on Sundays.

Reggie Gilbert, LB, Green Bay Packers

Gilbert has also had a strong preseason. On Friday, he had two tackles and 0.5 sacks in Green Bay’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. During the preseason, Gilbert has five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one TFL. I believe he has shown enough to make it onto Green Bay’s regular season roster.

Nick Folk, K, New York Jets

Folk has been the Jets’ kicker since 2010. This year will be no different. As stated above, he is the first string kicker after Ross Martin was cut on Sunday.

Nick Foles, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

Foles was released by the Rams at the end of July. He was then signed by the Chiefs on August 5. And he hasn’t really disappointed. During Saturday’s win against the Chicago Bears, Foles went 2-for-5 passing for 65 yards, including a 58 yard bomb down the field to Tyreek Hill. During the preseason he is 24-for-35 for 235 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He is projected to be the second string quarterback for Kansas City this year.

Marquis Flowers, LB, Cincinnati Bengals

Flowers had two tackles during Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He has also had a nice preseason with 11 tackles and a TFL. We will be seeing him on Sundays as well.

Ka’Deem Carey, RB, Chicago Bears

Carey was injured during the Bears’ first preseason game and had to go through the NFL’s concussion protocol. After sitting out a week he ended up playing Saturday during Chicago’s loss to Kansas City. He had four carries for nine yards and one catch for ten yards. So far this preseason he has a statline of seven carries for 17 yards and three catches for 32 yards. Recently he has been noted as a vocal leader both on and off the field, which is something the Bears can benefit from.

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