The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538921
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025 ■ 41 season recovering from a torn ACL suf- fered in Week 15 of the 2024 season. The Lions hope to have him back in action by late November. WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), Las Vegas Raiders: Coming off the first 1,000-yard season of his NFL career (87 receptions for 1,027 yards and 4 touch- downs in 2024), Meyers requested a trade at the end of training camp in search of a new contract. Other teams have report- edly inquired about his availability, but the Raiders are reluctant to trade him heading into the final year of his initial three-year deal in Las Vegas. DT Larrell Murchison (2017-19), Los Angeles Rams: Murchison is go- ing into the fifth year of his NFL career after signing a one-year contract dur- ing the offseason to stay with the Rams. The defensive tackle missed the entire 2024 season with arm and foot injuries. He finished with a career-best 16 total tackles in 2023. LB Germaine Pratt (2014-18), Las Vegas Raiders: After he spent his first six seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Pratt was released by the team in June. It didn't take long for him to land with the Raiders, signing a one-year, $4.25 mil- lion deal one day later. He's coming off a career-best 143-tackle performance in 2024, a mark that ranked 11th in the NFL. LB Drake Thomas (2019-22), Se- attle Seahawks: Thomas, who has been primarily a special teams player through his first 24 NFL games, appears to be in the mix for a key linebacker job with the Seahawks this season. For the first time in his professional career, he made the active roster coming out of training camp. LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), Pitts- burgh Steelers: Wilson was a breakout player for the Steelers in 2024, and he's in line for an increased role going into his second NFL season. The former third- round pick posted 78 total tackles with a forced fumble, an interception and 2 fumble recoveries as a rookie. During this year's preseason games, Wilson saw reps as the player designated to be in ra- dio communication with the coaches. Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Hey- ward said it "looked like he took a jump from Year 1 to Year 2." QB Russell Wilson (2007-10, fin- ished at Wisconsin), New York Gi- ants: Wilson has been on a roller coaster ever since leaving Seattle, where he ap- peared in two Super Bowls and won one. Traded to Denver in 2022, he spent two losing seasons with the Broncos, then headed to Pittsburgh on a one-year contract. After recovering from a lin- gering calf injury, he started 11 games and guided the Steelers to the playoffs despite a late-season offensive slump. Now he's preparing for his first season with the Giants after he signed a one- year, $10.5 million contract in March. New York drafted Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round this past April, but Wilson will be the starter when the Giants open their season at Washing- ton on Sept. 7. OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), Carolina Panthers: Zavala, a former fourth-round pick, is set to begin his third professional season with the Pan- thers. He appeared in all 17 games in 2024 but only made two starts. ■ Linebacker Payton Wilson finished with 78 total tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and 2 fumble recoveries as a rookie with the Steelers. He continued to impress during preseason camp this summer. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS