Florida Gators in the NFL: 40 former players start on 2017 rosters

Football

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Image Credit: ESPN Images

Now that mini camp, training camp and four preseason games are in the books, the 2017 NFL season is about to officially begin. And with that, we begin our look at where former Florida Gators football players have been spread around the league.

There are 40 Gators across 24 teams either on active 53-man rosters or signed but injured and out for the season. Five more are signed to practice squads. Nine teams have multiple former Florida players, led by Indianapolis (four) with Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington (three each) also employing a few Gators.

Here’s a glimpse at the entire roster entering the season.

Arizona Cardinals: OT D.J. Humphries

Atlanta Falcons S Keanu Neal, DB Brian Poole

Chicago Bears: DT Jonathan Bullard, WR Deonte Thompson

Cincinnati Bengals: DE Carlos Dunlap

Cleveland Browns: DT Caleb Brantley*

Dallas Cowboys: OG Chaz Green
Green has only played in four games with injuries ravaging his professional career to this point. However, he won the starting left guard job in training camp and will open the season in a good position to succeed.

Denver Broncos: OG Max Garcia

Detroit Lions: LB Jarrad Davis*, CB Teez Tabor*
Davis and Tabor may both be starting on Sunday.

Indianapolis Colts: LB Jon Bostic, RB Matt Jones, LB Antonio Morrison, CB Quincy Wilson*
Jones was cut by Washington this offseason and immediately signed by Indianapolis. Davis will be starting for the Colts, while Wilson has struggled a bit in camp.

Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Dante Fowler Jr., LB Lerentee McCray
Fowler was charged with three misdemeanors after being arrested on July 18 and has been cited 10-plus times in the last two years, but he will be starting for the Jags. McCray was cut by Buffalo and signed this offseason.

Kansas City Chiefs: WR Demarcus Robinson

Los Angeles Rams: DT Dominique Easley (injured — out for season)
Easley stepped up in 2016 after his career had been derailed by injury … only to see it derailed by injury again. He has torn an ACL in a knee for the third time in his football playing career and will miss the entire season.

Miami Dolphins: C Mike Pouncey (injured — hip)
Pouncey has been nursing a hip injury but is expected to start for Miami in Week 2 as its Week 1 game has been delayed due to Hurricane Irma.

Minnesota Vikings: DT Sharrif Floyd (injured — out for season)
A career-threatening nerve issue has Floyd sidelined indefinitely.

New England Patriots: RB Mike Gillislee
The Pats stole Gillislee from the Bills with a strong offer sheet this offseason. He is filling in the power rusher role for New England’s offense and scored three touchdowns in the kickoff game.

New Orleans Saints: LB Alex Anzalone*
A third-round pick, Anzalone is expected to start on the weak side for the Saints in their opener.

New York Giants: CB Janoris Jenkins

New York Jets: C Jonotthan Harrison, S Marcus Maye*
Harrison was signed away from Indianapolis as a restricted free agent this offseason.

Oakland Raiders: S Reggie Nelson, OT David Sharpe

Philadelphia Eagles: TE Trey Burton, K Caleb Sturgis, S Jaylen Watkins
Watkins was signed back by the Eagles three months after being waived. Defensive end Alex McCalister missed final cuts and is now a free agent.

Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Marcus Gilbert, CB Joe Haden, C Maurkice Pouncey
Haden was cut by Cleveland after seven years with the Browns and signed by the Steelers where he will rejoin two former Gators teammates.

San Francisco 49ers: OT Trent Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Vernon Hargreaves III, DE Justin Trattou (injured — out for season)
Trattou was signed in July and suffered an undisclosed injury in August, sidelining him for the entire 2017 campaign.

Washington: RB Mack Brown, CB Quinton Dunbar, TE Jordan Reed

Practice squad: Bryan Cox Jr. (Carolina), OG Jon Halapio (N.Y. Giants), TE Jake McGee (Pittsburgh), DE Earl Okine (Detroit), WR Chris Thompson (Houston)

Free agents: LB Jelani Jenkins, DE Alex McCalister*, RB Kelvin Taylor
Jenkins (Oakland) and McCalister (Philadelphia) were waived after being injured this offseason. Taylor got an opportunity with Atlanta but was not retained. None are on practice squads at this time.

Gators who transferred to FBS: QB Jeff Driskel (Cincinnati), QB Cam Newton (Carolina)