Here’s every former Mizzou player in the NFL entering final preseason weekend

Luther Burden III put on a block party in his second preseason game.

The former Missouri wide receiver excelled in multiple facets of the Chicago offense, while the rookie also reeled in three passes for 49 yards Sunday. Entering the preseason finale Friday in Kansas City, Burden stands as a third-string wide receiver, according to the Bears’ depth chart, but that will likely change in the pass-catcher’s favor.

NFL teams will need to cut down their rosters to 53 players by 3 p.m. CT Tuesday, and Burden, a 2025 second-rounder, will make the roster. In his professional debut Week 1 of the preseason, Burden, an East St. Louis (Ill.) product, totaled 29 yards on two receptions, three targets.

D-Line Zou

A 2024 first-rounder, Darius Robinson was limited in his rookie season due to a calf injury suffered in his first preseason. The former Missouri captain returned healthy in Year 2, with the expectation of starting on the defensive line for Arizona.

Entering Year 3 with Cleveland, Isaiah McGuire totaled two tackles in Week 2, including a sack against the defending Super Bowl champions of Philadelphia. While likely sticking in the two deep, the former fourth-rounder started three of his 16 appearances in 2024.

Although playing defensive tackle for Missouri, Kristian Williams slotted in as the fourth defensive end option in the most recent Denver depth chart Monday. In his second season with San Francisco, Jordan Elliott is a projected starter at one of the defensive tackle spots.

Linebackers

Re-signing a three-year deal with Kansas City, starting linebacker Nick Bolton will remain in the state that saw him shine in college through 2027. Second-year players Ty’Ron Hopper and Jaylon Carlies, a former safety, are both listed in the two deep for Green Bay and Indianapolis, respectively.

Quarterback

Back in Seattle, Drew Lock continued to battle for his backup status in his second preseason performance. The signal-caller completed 10 of his 12 passing attempts for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Alabama rookie Jalen Milroe will start and play the entirety of the Seahawks’ preseason finale Saturday, per coach Mike Macdonald.

With veteran backup Tyrod Taylor undergoing surgery and missing a chunk of the preseason, undrafted rookie Brady Cook has entered a competition with former Nebraska and Kansas State quarterback Adrian Martinez to be depth for the New York Jets, who still hope to have Taylor ready by Week 1. Cook totaled 74 yards and one touchdown on six completions in Week 2 of the preseason.

Kicker

Playing behind veteran Nick Folk in the preseason, Harrison Mevis revived his NFL tenure with a strong showing in the UFL. Although not playing in Week 2, Mevis went 2-for-2 on extra points and 3-for-3 on field goals — with a long of 39 yards — in preseason opener.

Running backs

Missouri single-season rushing leader Cody Schrader and the player he took the crown from, Tyler Badie, continue to fight to make their respective teams. Albeit in the preseason, Schrader burst toward his first NFL touchdown in Week 1. The Rams have him listed among the No. 4 running backs on their unofficial depth chart.

Badie used his speed in both the passing and rushing games in Week 2, while slotting in at No. 4 in Monday’s update for Denver. Starting the offseason with Miami, rookie Nate Noel got picked up by Indianpolis and slotted among the fifth-string running backs.

Defensive backs

A former fourth-round pick, Akayleb Evans stuck with Carolina for 2025 after being waived by Minnesota in his second season. The former Tulsa transfer is listed as in the two deep at cornerback for the Panthers.

Broncos second-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine is also in the two deep, according to Monday’s depth chart update. Bouncing around with multiple teams the past few years, Joshuah Bledsoe slotted in at the bottom of the safety room for Tennessee’s depth chart at the start of the month.

Offensive linemen

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 Draft, Armand Membou is the projected starting right tackle for the Jets. Fellow rookie Marcus Bryant is currently listed as the third-string right tackle ahead of his rookie season, according to New England’s unofficial depth chart.

Per team depth charts:

Larry Borom, Miami — second-string right tackle (team closed depth chart until start of 2025 season)

Trystan Colon, Detroit — third-string center

Javon Foster, Jacksonville — third-string left tackle

Marcellus Johnson, Indianapolis — third-string left tackle

Tight end, wide receiver

Hauling in two touchdowns in Week 2, Theo Wease Jr. continued his pursuit of making the Miami roster as an undrafted signee. The former five-star totaled 80 yards on six receptions, while listed among the No. 3 wide receivers. With his fourth franchise, tight end Albert Okwuegbunam slotted in as a third-string ahead of Week 3 of the preseason.

Injured reserve

Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. got nipped by the injury bug again, suffering a season-ending shoulder surgery early into the preseason. The former Missouri standout also spent time on IR as a rookie with a hamstring injury.

Going unselected this past spring, Johnny Walker Jr. signed with Denver soon after the Draft. The outside linebacker suffered a season-ending lower body injury in July. Returning to the NFL after a stint in the UFL, Yasir Durant returned to New England as offensive line depth. The Patriots waived Durant in July with an undisclosed injury and got reverted to the IR a day later.