Badgers in the NFL: Week 1

Veterans

• Russell Wilson, QB (Seahawks): After trailing entering the fourth quarter, Wilson lead the Seahawks back to a 21-20 win over the Bengals. Better games are to come for Wilson, as he threw for just 196 yards and two touchdowns, but his 44-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett was the play of the game and gave Seattle the lead for good.

• James White, RB (Patriots): White finished with five catches for 56 receiving yards and added 26 rushing yards on four carries. The six-year veteran will certainly get more touches and have better performances in the weeks to come.
• Melvin Gordon, RB (Chargers): The holdout continues. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Gordon could report to the Chargers in six to eight weeks.
• Dare Ogunbowale, RB (Buccaneers): After earning a role as the passing downs back in the preseason, Ogunbowale led the Bucs running backs in snaps. While he had no rush attempts, he was targeted five times and finished with four catches for 33 yards.
• Corey Clement, RB (Eagles): Clement survived the Eagles’ final roster cuts in large part to his prowess on special teams. He played 19 snaps on for the special teams units in Philly’s 32-27 win over the Redskins.
• Derek Watt, FB (Chargers): Watt played 15 snaps at fullback and laid a huge block to spring Austin Ekeler for the game winning touchdown against the Colts. He also had two rush attempts for four yards while leading the team in special teams snaps.

• Ryan Ramczyk, OT (Saints): Ramczyk started all 66 snaps at right tackle and completely shutdown fellow Badger J.J. Watt in the Saints win over the Texans. Watt finished with zero tackles and no sacks, as Ramczyk began his third season with a strong performance.

• Travis Frederick, C (Cowboys): It was a a great to see Frederick back on the field after missing all of last year with Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He started at center in the Cowboys convincing 35-17 win over the Giants.

• Troy Fumagalli, TE (Broncos): After landing on the injured reserve for his rookie season, Fumagalli returned to the field and played in his first NFL game. He played sparingly, seeing ten snaps at tight end and eight snaps on special teams.
• Alex Erickson, WR (Bengals): Erickson started the year as the Bengals punter returner and had four returns for 34 yards. With Bengals star A.J. Green out with an injury, Erickson also played 11 snaps at wide receiver and caught all four of his targets for 28 yards.
• J.J. Watt, DE (Texans): Watt had a rough start to the 2019 season. He finished with no tackles or quarterback hits against the Saints, thanks in large part to the dominant play of Ramczyk. Watt will no doubt bounce back in week two when the Texans host the Jaguars.

• Beau Allen, DT (Buccaneers): In his sixth year in the league, Allen is the backup to nose tackle Vita Vea in the Buccaneers new 3-4 scheme. He played 21 snaps in Tampa Bay’s 31-17 loss to the 49ers.
• Joe Schobert, LB (Browns): Schobert began his third straight year as the Browns’ starting middle linebacker with nine tackles. It was an disappointing performance by the entire Browns defense as they allowed 43 points at home to Marcus Mariota and the Titans.
• T.J. Watt, LB (Steelers): Watt left the Steelers season opener in the second half with a hip injury. We’ll find out more about his status later in the week. Before the injury, Watt had three quarterback hits, two tackles, and a tackle for loss.
• Vince Biegel, LB (Dolphins): The newly acquired Biegel played just ten snaps at linebacker for the Dolphins in week one. He contributed on special teams as well, but Miami’s defense needs all the help they can get after surrendering 59 points to the Ravens.
• Jack Cichy, LB (Buccaneers): After tearing his ACL in week seven last season, Cichy returned to the field on Sunday and played 15 special teams snaps.
• Leon Jacobs, LB (Jaguars): Jacobs saw only nine snaps at linebacker in week one, as the Jaguars played five defensive backs for the majority of their game against the Chiefs and their high powered offense. He finished with one tackle in week one, but will likely see more playing time in different match ups as the season goes on.
• Natrell Jamerson, DB (Panthers): In his first game for the Panthers, Jamerson played 16 special teams snaps.

Rookies

• David Edwards, OT (Rams): Edwards is the Rams backup left tackle, but he played in his first NFL game on Sunday, seeing seven snaps on special teams.
• Michael Deiter, OG (Dolphins): Deiter started and played all 50 snaps at left guard for the Dolphins in his NFL debut.
• Ryan Connelly, LB (Giants): Keep an eye out for Connelly. He saw a good amount of playing time in his first NFL game and finished with two tackles, including a tackle for loss.

• Alec Ingold, FB (Raiders): Ingold looked awesome on Monday night and was the lead blocker for two goal line touchdown runs by Josh Jacobs. I know it’s only one week, but it looks like Ingold could become the next great Wisconsin fullback.

• T.J. Edwards, LB (Eagles): Edwards made his NFL debut against the Redskins and played nine special teams snaps.