Oregon has long been known for its considerable cast of alumni in the NFL, and this batch of Ducks is no different. With 25 players rostered in Week 1, let’s check in on how our Pro Ducks are doing early on in the NFL season.
Justin Herbert
Perhaps Oregon’s most notable alumnus, Herbert, a Eugene native and Sheldon High School graduate, has been nothing but terrific for the Chargers. Signing a record-breaking, five-year and $262.5 million dollar contract before the season to stay in Los Angeles, Herbert has picked up where he left off last year, totaling seven passing touchdowns to just one interception. “He has one of the most unbelievable arms I’ve ever been around,” John Beck, Herbert’s personal quarterbacks coach said to The Athletic. “There’s just so many pieces all in one.” Now in year five, Herbert looks like the complete package behind center in Los Angeles.
Christian Gonzalez
Despite being out for the year with a shoulder injury, Gonzalez, who was selected 17th overall by New England, had a stellar start to his pro career. Being named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month in September, as well as adding his first career interception against the Dolphins in Week 2, Gonzalez will look to return next year to aid a struggling New England defense.
DeForest Buckner
Duck fans remember Buckner for his fierce pass rush and run defense, and those strengths are still present at the NFL level. Currently signed to a four-year, $84 million contract in Indianapolis, Buckner’s dominance at the professional level has resulted in two Pro-Bowl selections as well as All-Pro honors in the 2020 season. Through the first five weeks of this season, Buckner has tallied two sacks, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Kayvon Thibodeaux
The Ducks’ most recent top-10 selection, Thibodeaux, has played well at the NFL level, adding four sacks early in the 2023 season. Despite his statistically strong start, Thibodeaux feels he has room to improve his play. “I feel like I haven’t played up to the standard I want to play at – whatsoever,” Thibodaux told NJ Advance Media. Missing five games last year, Thibodeaux will look to remain healthy and help a struggling New York Giants team.
Jevon Holland
Ranking second amongst qualifying safeties with a 91.7 in Pro Football Focus — a commonly used grading system among football communities — Holland has been terrific early on this year for the Dolphins, totaling 31 total tackles as well as two forced fumbles. Seeing an increased role this year in Miami, Holland has stepped up for the Dolphins, who are now 4-1 and in first place in the AFC East.
Arik Armstead
Amid his ninth professional season, Armstead has been a key part of the No. 5 ranked San Francisco 49ers defense. Despite a slow start to his season, totaling just four total tackles so far in 2023, Armstead’s leadership stretches farther than his on-field performance. “That’s the professional he is,” teammate Javon Kinlaw told NBC Sports Bay Area of Armstead. “I respect him and have looked up to him from day one, wanting to be like him in so many different ways. He knows the game so well, how to execute. An all-around great football player. I’ve always said I want to be just like him,” Kinlaw said. On and off the field Armstead has proven to be a key contributor for the undefeated 49ers.
Penei Sewell
A rock-solid contributor on the Lions’ top-rated offensive line, Sewell has been tremendous in protecting quarterback Jared Goff. The Lions — one of the league’s up-and-coming teams — have been dominant at times on the ground and through the air, ranking sixth in total offense, largely due to the Sewell-led offensive line. “We were talking about grit. This dude’s [Sewell’s] got grit,” head coach Dan Campbell said to Sports Illustrated. “He plays dirty, he’s nasty, he gets after people.”
