Gopher Football: Gophers in the NFL--Final 53 Man Rosters

We started with 18 former Gopher football players in NFL training camps to start the preseason. Now after two roster cuts, and four preseason games, ten Gophers will begin the NFL regular season on 53-man rosters, and another two are currently on practice squads. Here are the players on the 53-man rosters below, and a look at Week 1 in the NFL.

Eric Murray-DB Kansas City Chiefs

Week 1 vs San Diego Chargers

Murray will be a key special teams player for the Chiefs but will have to work his way into game action on defense.

Briean Boddy-Calhoun-DB Cleveland Browns

Week 1 vs Philadelphia Eagles

BBC ended up getting cut by Jacksonville in what was not a surprising move. What was a bit surprising was that he was claimed by the Cleveland Browns and will start the season on the 53-man roster.

De'Vondre Campbell-LB Atlanta Falcons

Week 1 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Campbell is still in the mix for a starting linebacker spot, but appears he will be the first man off the bench to start the season for Atlanta—but expect him to see plenty of snaps.

Ra'Shede Hageman--DE Atlanta Falcons

Week 1 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Hageman will see some playing time in Atlanta’s defensive line rotations, but after a lackluster preseason he will have to show more to see a lot of snaps.

Maxx Williams-TE Baltimore Ravens

Week 1 vs Buffalo Bills

Maxx had a finger injury and saw some action in the Ravens final preseason game after missing the previous two. He currently is listed as the third TE on Baltimore’s depth chart, but all three tight ends are expected to see significant action for the Ravens

Damien Wilson--LB Dallas Cowboys

Week 1 vs New York Giants

Wilson earned his way back into playing time for Dallas in the last few preseason games and will start the season on special teams and in a backup linebacker role.

Marqueis Gray--TE Miami Dolphins

Week 1 vs Seattle Seahawks

Gray made Miami as their third tight end. Expect him so see action on special teams and hopefully get some offensive action in goal line sets.

Eric Decker--WR New York Jets

Week 1 vs Cincinnati Bengals

Decker will be one of the Jets two main targets this season, and with a questionable running game expect him to have a damn good season.

Tramaine Brock-CB San Francisco 49ers

Week 1 vs Los Angeles Rams

Brock will start at corner for the 49ers and should see plenty of action.

Marcus Sherels--CB/PR Minnesota Vikings

Week 1 vs Tennessee Titans

Sherels will return punts for the Vikings and will see the occasional action on defense.

Two former Gophers were signed to practice squads after the cut to 53 this weekend

Brock Vereen-DB-- Kansas City Chiefs

Brock was signed to the Chiefs practice squad after joining the team halfway through camp after his bizarre exit from New England. Brock is perhaps only an injury away from joining Eric Murray in the KC secondary.

Issac Fruechte--WR Detroit Lions

Fruechte was cut from the Vikings over the weekend, and it appeared he would return to the Vikings practice squad for a second season, but Detroit came through with a late offer. This might be a better spot for Issac to make the 53-man roster at some point this season as Minnesota has decent WR depth, and Detroit has some big holes.

The last six former Gophers are not currently on any NFL roster, and are awaiting phone calls from teams who need players. Of the six listed below, one would think David Cobb and Peter Mortell would be the two most likely to get a call for a tryout for a team that needs to fill a roster spot, but you never know.

Troy Stoudermire--WR

KJ Maye-WR

Peter Mortell- P

Theiran Cockran--DE

Cedric Thompson-S

David Cobb--RB

Come back next week to see how the ten Gophers did in week 1 of the NFL season!