The first quarter of the NFL season has passed, which marks a great time to check in on how Beaver alum have fared thus far.
First up, offensive players:
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Derek Anderson (QB) Carolina Panthers:
Last played for Oregon State in 2004.
While typically a backup for one of the top QBs in the game, Cam Newton, Anderson was forced into service in the 4th quarter when a concussion took Newton out of the Panthers' Week 4 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Anderson started off hot, throwing for 2 TDs in what looked to be a comeback for the ages but the hope was short lived as he followed it up with 2 INTs, one returned for an Atlanta touchdown to all but seal the win for the Falcons. He ended the contest with a solid stat line: 17-for-23 172 yds, 2 TDs, 2 INTs and a 78.4 QBR.
Summary: In his first extended action, Anderson looked good for the first half of the fourth quarter before losing his touch quickly. He did however finish the game with a QBR 31.2 points higher than starter Cam Newton achieved throughout the first three quarters. Anderson also reached a milestone reaching over 10,000 yards passing in his career. Look for him to be starting in the Panthers' Week 5 game should Newton not clear concussion protocol.
Season stats: 18-for-24 175 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
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Josh Andrews (C) Philadelphia Eagles
Last played for Oregon State in 2014
Summary: Listed as the 3rd string center, Andrews has yet to play a snap this season. Kept on the roster for his potential and depth he will be working to earn some playing time throughout the year.
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Brandin Cooks (WR) New Orleans Saints
Last played for Oregon State in 2013
As the top receiver on the depth chart of the Saints, Cooks was underwhelming in Week 4 with 3 receptions for 31 yards, but as seen earlier in the season, he has the potential to be a dangerous weapon every week.
Summary: Following Cooks' Week 1 explosion of 6 receptions for 143 yards and 2 TDs, including a franchise record 98 yard touchdown reception, his production has decreased. Although Week 4 showed a slight uptick in production following a season low 2 receptions for 13 yards in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons. It's only a matter of time before he explodes for another huge game.
Season stats: 18 rec. 255 yds, 2 TDs | 2 carries for 17 yds
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Connor Hamlett (TE) Cleveland Browns
Last played for Oregon State in 2014
Summary: On the Cleveland Browns practice squad for much of the season, Hamlett was signed to the active roster on October 4th and has already jumped to 2nd string tight end on the depth chart. A constant stand-out in training camp, he was signed to the practice squad in favor of fellow tight end Seth DeValve as head coach Hue Jackson stated players drafted by the browns would be preferred to those signed as free agents. Perhaps Hamlett performed well enough in camp and practices that Jackson could not justify him staying off the 53-man roster?
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Johnny Hekker (P) Los Angeles Rams
Last played for Oregon State in 2011
Serving as the Rams' punter, Hekker has cemented himself as one of the top punters in the game. He has shown no signs of stopping this season. In Week 4, Hekker punted six times for an average NET of 42.3 yards, downing three of his punts inside the 20-yard line to pin the Arizona Cardinals deep in their own territory as the Rams pulled off the upset in Glendale.
Summary: Throughout the 2016 season, Hekker has downed over half of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line without a single touchback. He currently leads the league in gross punting yards and punts downed inside the 20-yard line, while being in the top 10 in average NET yards per punt.
Season stats: 27 punts, 42.3 yds NET, 15 punts downed inside the 20
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Colin Kelly (OL) Chicago Bears
Last played for Oregon State in 2012
Summary: After spending the preseason behind star left tackle Joe Staley on the San Francisco 49ers, Kelly was among the final players cut as the team went to a 53-man roster. On September 26, Kelly was signed to the Chicago Bears' practice squad.
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Andy Levitre (OG) Atlanta Falcons
Last played for Oregon State in 2008
Summary: Levitre has been as stable of a left guard as you'll find in the NFL this season, starting all four games and playing all 260 offensive snaps this season for the resurgent Atlanta Falcons offense. This should come as no surprise however, as he has played 99.6% of eligible offensive snaps since 2012.
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Sean Mannion (QB) Los Angeles Rams
Last played for Oregon State in 2014
Summary: After looking solid during his chances this preseason, Mannion won the backup job over number 1 draft pick Jared Goff. After Week 1 of the regular season, LA's head coach Jeff Fisher has been rotating between the two as the team's backup QB.
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Matt Moore (QB) Miami Dolphins
Last played for Oregon State in 2006
Summary: Moore has manned the backup QB position for the Miami Dolphins of the majority of Ryan Tannehill's career. After suffering a concussion in the preseason, his roster spot was thought to be in question. He recovered, earned the 2nd string QB position and has yet to play a snap this regular season.
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Jacquizz Rodgers (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Last played for Oregon State in 2010
Listed as a 3rd string running back, Rodgers has served as a change-of-pace and backup running back to Charles Sims while incumbent starter Doug Martin has been out with a hamstring injury. During Week 4, Rodgers outplayed Sims, gaining 25 yards on 6 carries compared to 28 yards on 15 carries for the latter.
Summary: After being released by the Chicago Bears late in preseason, Rodgers signed with the Buccaneers prior to their Week 2 game and has seen a steady uptick in his usage each week. He was the most efficient running back in their game against a stingy Denver Broncos run defense in Week 4. For the duration of Martin's injury, and as long as he continues to produce, his workload should increase.
Season stats: 13 carries for 69 yards | 2 rec. 12 yards
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Mike Remmers (OT) Carolina Panthers
Last played for Oregon State in 2012
Summary: Remmers has played at least 99% of the offensive snaps in each game this season. Through four games, he has committed 4 penalties, 3 of which were accepted for a total of 20 yards. Holding down the right tackle position for the Panthers, his play this season has improved considerably from his rough Super Bowl outing.
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Isaac Seumalo (OG) Philadelphia Eagles
Last played for Oregon State in 2015
Summary: Listed as a backup offensive guard, Seumalo looked like he might earn a starting spot for opening day. However, injuries have kept him out of game action up to this point. His status has been upgraded from "out" to "questionable" for Week 5.
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Terron Ward (RB) Free Agent
Last played for Oregon State in 2014
Summary: After a rather productive 2015 season, Ward remained the 3rd string running back on the Atlanta Falcons' roster until September 22 of this season. He was then released leaving the Falcons with only two running backs.
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Markus Wheaton (WR) Pittsburgh Steelers
Last played for Oregon State in 2012
As a starting receiver opposite to Antonio Brown, Wheaton registered his first touchdown of the season during the Steelers' Week 4 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also caught a 2-point conversion pass from Ben Roethlisberger following the team's first touchdown of the day.
Summary: With the suspension of Martavis Bryant as well as injuries to Darrius Heyward-Bey and Eli Rogers, Wheaton looked primed for a productive first quarter of the season. That hasn't been the case. Instead, Wheaton enters Week 5 tied for eighth on the team in receptions, and ninth in receiving yards.
Season stats: 2 rec. 32 yards, 1 TD
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