With a quarter of the season in the books, let’s see how the former ‘Cats are performing.
Northwestern in the NFL is back! We’ll be taking a look every month or so at how Wildcat alumni are performing in the pros, and there’s a lot to discuss through the first five weeks of the 2024 season. Without further ado, let’s see how 2024 has shaped up for the NFL’s ‘Cats thus far.
Rashawn Slater: Los Angeles Chargers, OT
We’ll start with Slater, one of the top left tackles in the league. In the offseason, the Chargers exercised Slater’s fifth-year option, leaving 2024 as a big contract year for the lineman. He started the season strong, starting the first three games as the Chargers’ notched a 2-1 record. However, he suffered a pectoral injury that kept him out of LA’s game against the Chiefs, and remained on the injury report through the bye week. Now, Slater remains questionable for Sunday’s bout with the Broncos, but his return is imminent even if he remains inactive this week.
Greg Newsome II: Cleveland Browns, CB
The first of two Cleveland Browns defensive backs on this list, Newsome has struggled through the first five games of the season, only registering 11 tackles. That number pales in comparison to his of average over four tackles per game last season when he made 49 tackles over 14 games. Newsome’s Browns have had a rough start to the season, with the team currently sitting at the bottom of the AFC North with a 1-4 record.
Should things continue heading downhill for the Browns, Newsome may become a trade candidate, with the deadline approaching in late October. On a high note, Newsome and his wife welcomed their first child on October 1, so there’s certainly something for him to celebrate even as his team’s season has lacked enthusiasm thus far.
Peter Skoronski: Tennessee Titans, OG
It’s hard to draw conclusions with many offensive linemen given the lack of many stat lines, and Skoronski’s start to the season provides no clear answers either. New Titans head coach Brian Callahan opted to keep Skoronski at guard, leaving him on the interior for the second season in a row. According to PFF, Skoronski has conceded four penalties and two sacks, both tied for sixth in the entire league. With a PFF grade of 60.9 — just above the average score of 60 — it will certainly require more time for many to make prognostications about Skoronski and his capabilities as an offensive lineman.
Cameron Mitchell: Cleveland Browns, CB
The sophomore cornerback has had mixed results through five games, only recording five tackles and playing on a low snap count. This was to be expected though, given the depth the Browns have in their secondary. Mitchell had his best performance of the season in Cleveland’s Week 2 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars when he recorded three solo tackles. If the Browns continue to struggle and end up dealing players at the trade deadline, Mitchell could see more playing time, but will likely remain in a minimal role for now.
Anthony Walker Jr.: Miami Dolphins, LB
After missing the end of last season with a knee injury, Walker signed with Dolphins in the offseason after spending his last three seasons in Cleveland. He made no impact in the first two games of the season, but has had a greater presence ever since. Walker has recorded 15 tackles, including nine in the Dolphins’ loss to the Titans in Week 4. Unfortunately for Walker, it will be difficult to break into the starting role, as Jordyn Brooks and David Long Jr. seem to have the interior linebacking spots locked up.
Dean Lowry: Pittsburgh Steelers, DE
Lowry hasn’t made a massive impact with the Steelers yet, only recording two assisted tackles in three games. The former Viking will hope to get more involved on Mike Tomlin’s squad as the season progresses.
Adetomiwa Adebawore: Indianapolis Colts, DT
A 2023 draftee, Adebawore hasn’t seen too much action early in his sophomore season. Thus far, he’s made four tackles, along with a sack in the Colts’ Week 3 win over the Chicago Bears. Hopefully Adebawore will have greater production as the season continues, as he should continue to be a rotational piece on the Colts’ defensive line.
Evan Hull: Indianapolis Colts, RB
Hull hasn’t seen any action for the Colts this season after only recording one carry for a singular yard last year. Hull being active and not receiving any playing is a concerning development for the second-year halfback, and raises questions about his future in the NFL.
Others: Trevor Siemian (Tennessee Titans, QB, Practice Squad), Earnest Brown IV (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DE, Injured Reserve), Joe Gaziano (Jacksonville Jaguars, QB, Practice Squad), Blake Hance (Jacksonville Jaguars, OG, Practice Squad)