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Duke in the NFL
1/2/2020 10:37:00 AM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – With the 2019 National Football League regular season completed, here is a look at the 12 former Duke lettermen currently on league organization rosters.
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Five former Blue Devils will be participating in the NFL playoffs, headlined by Daniel Helm and Laken Tomlinson of the San Francisco 49ers and Lucas Patrick of the Green Bay Packers. Matt Skura of the Baltimore Ravens, who earned the top seed in the AFC, will miss the playoffs while on the injured reserve list and Shaun Wilson is on the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.
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Duke in the NFL
Breon Borders, CB, Washington Redskins
** Played in 11 games (1 start) with the Jacksonville Jaguars and one game with the Washington Redskins
** With the Jaguars, recorded seven total tackles and one fumble recovery
** In first career start on November 3, logged a career-high six tackles and one fumble recovery in a 26-3 home loss to Houston
** Waived by the Jaguars on December 4
** Signed to the practice squad by the Jaguars on December 5
** Signed by the Washington Redskins on December 24
** Played in the season finale for Washington against Dallas on December 29
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Ross Cockrell, CB, Carolina Panthers
** Played in 14 games (11 starts) for the Panthers
** Compiled 62 tackles (48 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, two INTs and eight passes defended
** Posted one interception in wins at Houston and Tampa Bay on September 29 and October 13, respectively
** Had eight tackles in a 30-20 win over Tennessee on November 3
** Logged a season-high 10 tackles including one TFL in a 38-6 loss at Indianapolis on December 22
** Had seven games with five or more tackles
** Played at least 80 percent of Carolina's defensive snaps in eight games
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Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets
** Played in all 16 games (12 starts) for the Jets
** Tallied a career-high 78 receptions for 833 yards and six touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories
** Averaged 10.7 yards per reception and 52.1 receiving yards per game
** Opened the season by recording 14 receptions for 99 yards versus Buffalo on September 8
** Caught six passes for 90 yards and a career-high two TDs against Baltimore on December 12
** Recorded at least two receptions in all 16 games and had five-plus catches in seven contests
** Logged 50-plus receiving yards in eight games
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Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
** Played in five games for the Jaguars
** On the field for four defensive snaps and 92 special teams snaps
** Made his NFL debut against the New York Jets on October 27
** Tallied three tackles against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8
** Signed by the Jaguars on April 27, 2019 as an undrafted free agent
** Waived by the Jaguars on September 4, 2019
** Added to the Jaguars practice squad on September 5, 2019
** Activated by the Jaguars on October 21, 2019
** Moved to practice squad on November 5, 2019
** Activated from practice squad on December 5, 2019
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Daniel Helm, TE, San Francisco 49ers
** Did not see game action during the regular season
** Signed as undrafted free agent by Los Angeles Chargers on May 10, 2019
** Waived by Chargers on August 1, 2019
** Claimed by San Francisco 49ers on August 2, 2019
** Waived by the 49ers on August 31, 2019
** Signed to the 49ers practice squad on September 1, 2019
** Promoted to the 49ers active roster on December 12, 2019
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Thomas Hennessy, LS, New York Jets
** Handled the long snapping duties in all 16 games for the Jets for the third consecutive season
** On the field for 134 special teams snaps
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Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
** Played in 13 games (12 starts) for the Giants and completed 284-of-459 (.619) passes for 3,027 yards with 24 TDs & 12 INTs while rushing 45 times for 279 yards (6.20) and two TDs
** Served as the No. 2 QB behind Eli Manning for Weeks 1 & 2 before assuming starting role for Week 3
** Missed games against Philadelphia (Dec. 9) and Miami (Dec. 15) due to injury (ankle)
** Made NFL debut on September 8 in a 35-17 loss at Dallas, completing 3-of-4 (.750) passes for 17 yards while rushing once for five yards
** In first career start on September 22, completed 23-of-36 (.639) passes for 336 yards with two TDs (112.7 passer rating) while rushing four times for 28 yards and two TDs in a 32-31 win at Tampa Bay … set up game-winning PAT by Aldrick Rosas with a 7-yard TD run with 1:16 remaining in the 4th quarter as the Giants rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit … earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and became the first Giants QB to win his first career start since Scott Brunner in 1980
** On September 29, led New York to a 24-3 victory over the Washington Redskins to become the third quarterback in the Giants' history after Travis Tidwell (1950) and Phil Simms (1979) to begin a career with two wins as a starting quarterback for the franchise
** On December 22, posted season-highs of 352 passing yards and five TD passes in an 41-35 OT win over the Redskins … threw game-winning 3-yard TD pass to Kaden Smith to cap the lone OT possession … other TD passes went to Sterling Shepard (23 yards at 12:27 of 1st quarter), Saquon Barkley (33 yards at 9:23 of 2nd quarter), Cody Latimer (10 yards at 0:44 of 2nd quarter) and Smith (9 yards and 3:43 of 3rd quarter) … became the first rookie in NFL history to have 350+ passing yards and 5+ passing TDs in a game … became the fifth rookie in NFL history to throw five scoring passes in a game … earned NFC Offensive Rookie of the Week honors
** Set New York Giants franchise records for most pass completions by a rookie, most pass attempts by a rookie, highest pass completion percentage by a rookie, most passing yards by a rookie, most passing TDs by a rookie, highest passer rating by a rookie (87.7), most passing yards per game by a rookie (232.8) and most game-winning drives by a rookie (2)
** Set NFL record for most games with 4+ passing TDs by a rookie with three (4 vs. Detroit, Oct. 27; 4 vs. New York Jets, Nov. 10 & 5 vs. Washington, Dec. 22)
** Tied NFL record for most passing TDs in a game by a rookie (5 vs. Washington), equaling the standard set by Ray Buivid, Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston and Deshawn Watson
** Had 300-yard passing games against Tampa Bay (336 on Sept. 22), Detroit (322 on Oct. 27), New York Jets (308 on Nov. 10), Washington (352 on Dec. 22) and Philadelphia (301 on Dec. 29)
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Lucas Patrick, G, Green Bay Packers
** Played in 14 games as the Packers went 13-3, captured the NFC North championship and earned the No. 2 seed for the NFC Playoffs
** Registered a season-high 60 snaps in the Packers' 34-24 win at Dallas on October 6
** Helped protect QB Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 4,006 yards and 26 TDs against just four INTs while opening holes for RB Aaron Jones, who gained 1,084 yards on the ground with 16 TDs
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TJ Rahming, WR, Miami Dolphins (Practice Squad)
** Did not see game action during the regular season
** Practice squad member of the Miami Dolphins
** Waived by the Washington Redskins on Aug. 11, 2019
** Signed by the Dolphins on Aug. 20, 2019
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Matt Skura, C, Baltimore Ravens
** Started the first 11 games for the Ravens before suffering a season-ending leg injury on November 25 in a 45-6 victory over the Los Angeles Rams
** Help the Ravens to a 14-2 record, the AFC North championship and the No. 1 seed for the AFC Playoffs
** Helped Baltimore rank among the NFL leaders in points per game (1st; 33.2), rushing yards per game (1st; 206.0), total yards per game (2nd; 407.6) and passing yards per game (2nd; 201.6) as the Ravens established a new NFL record for rushing yardage and became the first team in league history to average 200-plus passing and 200-plus rushing yards per contest
** Helped Baltimore set single-game franchise records for yards (643) and points (59) in a 59-10, season-opening victory at Miami on September 8 as QB Lamar Jackson registered career highs in passing yards (324) and passing TDs (5) while producing a perfect 158.3 passer rating
** Helped QB Lamar Jackson become the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 200 yards (236) and rush for at least 150 yards (152) in a regular season game in a 23-17 victory over Cincinnati on October 13
** Blocked for QB Lamar Jackson in the 49-13 win at Cincinnati on November 10, helping him produce his second perfect QB rating (158.3) of the season on 15-of-17 (.882) passing for 223 yards and 3 TDs
** Protected QB Lamar Jackson, who completed 17-of-24 (.708) passes for 222 yards and 4 TDs (139.2 rating) in a 41-7 victory over Houston on November 17 as the Ravens became the first team with 2,000-plus rushing yards in its first 10 games since the 1978 New England Patriots
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Laken Tomlinson, OG, San Francisco 49ers
** Started all 16 games at left offensive guard as the 49ers went 13-3, captured the NFC West championship and earned the No. 1 seed for the NFC Playoffs
** Helped San Francisco rank among the NFL leaders in rushing TDs (1st; 23), total TDs (2nd; 56), total rushing yards (2nd; 2,305), points per game (2nd; 29.9) and total offensive yards (4th; 6,366)
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Shaun Wilson, RB, Tennessee Titans (Practice Squad)
** Did not see game action during the regular season
** Added as a practice squad member for the Tennessee Titans on December 24, 2019
** Waived by the Washington Redskins on Nov. 1, 2019
** Signed by the Redskins on July 25, 2019
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Five former Blue Devils will be participating in the NFL playoffs, headlined by Daniel Helm and Laken Tomlinson of the San Francisco 49ers and Lucas Patrick of the Green Bay Packers. Matt Skura of the Baltimore Ravens, who earned the top seed in the AFC, will miss the playoffs while on the injured reserve list and Shaun Wilson is on the Tennessee Titans' practice squad.
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Duke in the NFL
Breon Borders, CB, Washington Redskins
** Played in 11 games (1 start) with the Jacksonville Jaguars and one game with the Washington Redskins
** With the Jaguars, recorded seven total tackles and one fumble recovery
** In first career start on November 3, logged a career-high six tackles and one fumble recovery in a 26-3 home loss to Houston
** Waived by the Jaguars on December 4
** Signed to the practice squad by the Jaguars on December 5
** Signed by the Washington Redskins on December 24
** Played in the season finale for Washington against Dallas on December 29
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Ross Cockrell, CB, Carolina Panthers
** Played in 14 games (11 starts) for the Panthers
** Compiled 62 tackles (48 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, two INTs and eight passes defended
** Posted one interception in wins at Houston and Tampa Bay on September 29 and October 13, respectively
** Had eight tackles in a 30-20 win over Tennessee on November 3
** Logged a season-high 10 tackles including one TFL in a 38-6 loss at Indianapolis on December 22
** Had seven games with five or more tackles
** Played at least 80 percent of Carolina's defensive snaps in eight games
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Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets
** Played in all 16 games (12 starts) for the Jets
** Tallied a career-high 78 receptions for 833 yards and six touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories
** Averaged 10.7 yards per reception and 52.1 receiving yards per game
** Opened the season by recording 14 receptions for 99 yards versus Buffalo on September 8
** Caught six passes for 90 yards and a career-high two TDs against Baltimore on December 12
** Recorded at least two receptions in all 16 games and had five-plus catches in seven contests
** Logged 50-plus receiving yards in eight games
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Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
** Played in five games for the Jaguars
** On the field for four defensive snaps and 92 special teams snaps
** Made his NFL debut against the New York Jets on October 27
** Tallied three tackles against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 8
** Signed by the Jaguars on April 27, 2019 as an undrafted free agent
** Waived by the Jaguars on September 4, 2019
** Added to the Jaguars practice squad on September 5, 2019
** Activated by the Jaguars on October 21, 2019
** Moved to practice squad on November 5, 2019
** Activated from practice squad on December 5, 2019
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Daniel Helm, TE, San Francisco 49ers
** Did not see game action during the regular season
** Signed as undrafted free agent by Los Angeles Chargers on May 10, 2019
** Waived by Chargers on August 1, 2019
** Claimed by San Francisco 49ers on August 2, 2019
** Waived by the 49ers on August 31, 2019
** Signed to the 49ers practice squad on September 1, 2019
** Promoted to the 49ers active roster on December 12, 2019
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Thomas Hennessy, LS, New York Jets
** Handled the long snapping duties in all 16 games for the Jets for the third consecutive season
** On the field for 134 special teams snaps
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Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
** Played in 13 games (12 starts) for the Giants and completed 284-of-459 (.619) passes for 3,027 yards with 24 TDs & 12 INTs while rushing 45 times for 279 yards (6.20) and two TDs
** Served as the No. 2 QB behind Eli Manning for Weeks 1 & 2 before assuming starting role for Week 3
** Missed games against Philadelphia (Dec. 9) and Miami (Dec. 15) due to injury (ankle)
** Made NFL debut on September 8 in a 35-17 loss at Dallas, completing 3-of-4 (.750) passes for 17 yards while rushing once for five yards
** In first career start on September 22, completed 23-of-36 (.639) passes for 336 yards with two TDs (112.7 passer rating) while rushing four times for 28 yards and two TDs in a 32-31 win at Tampa Bay … set up game-winning PAT by Aldrick Rosas with a 7-yard TD run with 1:16 remaining in the 4th quarter as the Giants rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit … earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors and became the first Giants QB to win his first career start since Scott Brunner in 1980
** On September 29, led New York to a 24-3 victory over the Washington Redskins to become the third quarterback in the Giants' history after Travis Tidwell (1950) and Phil Simms (1979) to begin a career with two wins as a starting quarterback for the franchise
** On December 22, posted season-highs of 352 passing yards and five TD passes in an 41-35 OT win over the Redskins … threw game-winning 3-yard TD pass to Kaden Smith to cap the lone OT possession … other TD passes went to Sterling Shepard (23 yards at 12:27 of 1st quarter), Saquon Barkley (33 yards at 9:23 of 2nd quarter), Cody Latimer (10 yards at 0:44 of 2nd quarter) and Smith (9 yards and 3:43 of 3rd quarter) … became the first rookie in NFL history to have 350+ passing yards and 5+ passing TDs in a game … became the fifth rookie in NFL history to throw five scoring passes in a game … earned NFC Offensive Rookie of the Week honors
** Set New York Giants franchise records for most pass completions by a rookie, most pass attempts by a rookie, highest pass completion percentage by a rookie, most passing yards by a rookie, most passing TDs by a rookie, highest passer rating by a rookie (87.7), most passing yards per game by a rookie (232.8) and most game-winning drives by a rookie (2)
** Set NFL record for most games with 4+ passing TDs by a rookie with three (4 vs. Detroit, Oct. 27; 4 vs. New York Jets, Nov. 10 & 5 vs. Washington, Dec. 22)
** Tied NFL record for most passing TDs in a game by a rookie (5 vs. Washington), equaling the standard set by Ray Buivid, Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston and Deshawn Watson
** Had 300-yard passing games against Tampa Bay (336 on Sept. 22), Detroit (322 on Oct. 27), New York Jets (308 on Nov. 10), Washington (352 on Dec. 22) and Philadelphia (301 on Dec. 29)
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Lucas Patrick, G, Green Bay Packers
** Played in 14 games as the Packers went 13-3, captured the NFC North championship and earned the No. 2 seed for the NFC Playoffs
** Registered a season-high 60 snaps in the Packers' 34-24 win at Dallas on October 6
** Helped protect QB Aaron Rodgers, who threw for 4,006 yards and 26 TDs against just four INTs while opening holes for RB Aaron Jones, who gained 1,084 yards on the ground with 16 TDs
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TJ Rahming, WR, Miami Dolphins (Practice Squad)
** Did not see game action during the regular season
** Practice squad member of the Miami Dolphins
** Waived by the Washington Redskins on Aug. 11, 2019
** Signed by the Dolphins on Aug. 20, 2019
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Matt Skura, C, Baltimore Ravens
** Started the first 11 games for the Ravens before suffering a season-ending leg injury on November 25 in a 45-6 victory over the Los Angeles Rams
** Help the Ravens to a 14-2 record, the AFC North championship and the No. 1 seed for the AFC Playoffs
** Helped Baltimore rank among the NFL leaders in points per game (1st; 33.2), rushing yards per game (1st; 206.0), total yards per game (2nd; 407.6) and passing yards per game (2nd; 201.6) as the Ravens established a new NFL record for rushing yardage and became the first team in league history to average 200-plus passing and 200-plus rushing yards per contest
** Helped Baltimore set single-game franchise records for yards (643) and points (59) in a 59-10, season-opening victory at Miami on September 8 as QB Lamar Jackson registered career highs in passing yards (324) and passing TDs (5) while producing a perfect 158.3 passer rating
** Helped QB Lamar Jackson become the first player in NFL history to pass for at least 200 yards (236) and rush for at least 150 yards (152) in a regular season game in a 23-17 victory over Cincinnati on October 13
** Blocked for QB Lamar Jackson in the 49-13 win at Cincinnati on November 10, helping him produce his second perfect QB rating (158.3) of the season on 15-of-17 (.882) passing for 223 yards and 3 TDs
** Protected QB Lamar Jackson, who completed 17-of-24 (.708) passes for 222 yards and 4 TDs (139.2 rating) in a 41-7 victory over Houston on November 17 as the Ravens became the first team with 2,000-plus rushing yards in its first 10 games since the 1978 New England Patriots
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Laken Tomlinson, OG, San Francisco 49ers
** Started all 16 games at left offensive guard as the 49ers went 13-3, captured the NFC West championship and earned the No. 1 seed for the NFC Playoffs
** Helped San Francisco rank among the NFL leaders in rushing TDs (1st; 23), total TDs (2nd; 56), total rushing yards (2nd; 2,305), points per game (2nd; 29.9) and total offensive yards (4th; 6,366)
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Shaun Wilson, RB, Tennessee Titans (Practice Squad)
** Did not see game action during the regular season
** Added as a practice squad member for the Tennessee Titans on December 24, 2019
** Waived by the Washington Redskins on Nov. 1, 2019
** Signed by the Redskins on July 25, 2019
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