The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546417
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026 ■ 37 Los Angeles' 34-31 playoff win against the Carolina Panthers. TE Justin Joly (2024-25), Miami Dolphins: Was NC State's highest- picked player in the 2026 NFL Draft, going in the fifth round to the Denver Broncos. However, the Broncos ulti- mately opted to let him go in the final roster cuts and he was claimed off waiv- ers by the Dolphins. RB Zonovan Knight (2019-21), Ar- izona Cardinals: Back with the Cardi- nals for the second straight season. He logged 269 yards and 4 touchdowns as a rusher, while adding an additional 160 yards receiving and a score in his return from injury last season. He played in a career-high 12 games with eight starts in Arizona during the 2025 campaign. OL Dylan McMahon (2019-23), Los Angeles Rams: Earned a spot on the Rams' 53-man roster after spending time on the practice squad over each of the past two years. DT Alim McNeill (2018-20), De- troit Lions: Returned from a torn ACL to start the final 10 games of the 2025 season. He posted 14 tackles, including 2 for a loss, in 2025. WR Jakobi Meyers (2016-18), Jacksonville Jaguars: Was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Jag- uars after seven games last season. He finished the season with 42 receptions for 483 yards and 3 touchdowns in his initial nine games with Jacksonville. He finished the season with 75 catches for 835 yards and 3 scores in 16 games. DT Larrell Murchison (2018-19), Los Angeles Rams: Will begin the 2026 campaign on the Rams' practice squad after being a casualty in the fi- nal roster cuts. The four-year veteran notched 8 tackles and 2 sacks in 16 con- tests last year. OLB Cian Slone (2025), Las Vegas Raiders: Impressed in the preseason, logging a sack in his debut with Las Ve- gas. But the undrafted free agent will open the season on the Raiders' practice squad. DL Kentavius Street (2014-17), Chicago Bears: A well-traveled vet- eran who has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Fal- cons, he signed a one-year contract with the Bears this offseason. He has compiled 125 tackles, 24 stops for loss and 10.5 sacks in 85 career NFL games. LB Drake Thomas (2019-22), Se- attle Seahawks: Emerged as one of Se- attle's biggest surprises last season with 14 starts en route to a Super Bowl title. He posted 96 stops, 10 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 interception and 8 passes de- fended in his breakout 2025 campaign. OL Joe Thuney (2011-15), Chicago Bears: NC State's most-decorated cur- rent NFL player with four Super Bowl rings from his time with the New Eng- land Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. He enters the first year of a two-year, $35 million extension he signed with the Bears last offseason. RB Jordan Waters (2024), Los An- geles Rams: The undrfated free agent took part in training camp with the Rams for the second straight season and earned a spot on the franchise's practice squad for the first time. LB Payton Wilson (2018-23), Pittsburgh Steelers: Has become a critical part of the Steelers' defense af- ter recording a career-best 126 tackles with 6 stops for loss, 2 sacks, 1 intercep- tion and 2 passes defended in 2025. OL Chandler Zavala (2021-22), C a ro l i n a Pa n t h e rs : T h e fo r m e r fourth-round pick is set to begin his fourth professional season with the Panthers. He played in six games last season, starting five at right guard as one of Carolina's top reserve linemen. ■ Linebacker Payton Wilson has become a defensive mainstay for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He led the team with 126 tackles last season, including 6 for loss and 2 sacks, while adding an interception and a fumble recovery. PHOTO COURTESY PITTSBURGH STEELERS