National Football League

Louisville Football: Ranking The Best Cardinals In The NFL This Season

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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We take a look at the five former Louisville football players that are having the best seasons in the National Football League this year.

It has been an exciting season for Louisville football fans across the board. We have seen Lamar Jackson win the Heisman Trophy, hurdle defenders, and make the Citrus Bowl. However, there is still much more to come from former Cardinals in 2016.

There are five Cards in the National Football League who have been playing very well this season. A few of them are even in position to make the playoffs and pursue their first World Championship.

With that being said, let’s take a look of those five players:

Nov 20, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Eli Rogers (17) during warmups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Eli Rogers

Wide Reciever, Pittsburgh

In his first NFL season, Eli Rogers is becoming a very important part of the Steelers’ offense. While that doesn’t mean he will ever be their top receiver, it does mean that they rely on his ability to get open when they need him the most.

Most of the coverage tends to focus on wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell, which gives Rogers many opportunities to get one-on-one with either a corner or a linebacker.

He is still learning what it takes to succeed, but it seems like Pittsburgh is relying on him more and more as the season progresses.

Rogers currently has 33 receptions for 374 yards and two touchdowns. 

The best news for Rogers is that the Steelers are in great position to make the playoffs this season. The experience he will gain in the postseason will be second-to-none and should give him even more confidence heading into next season.

Dec 11, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Gary Barnidge (82) makes a reception while getting tackled by Cincinnati Bengals free safety George Iloka (43) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals won 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Gary Barnidge

Tight-End, Cleveland

Gary Barnidge isn’t nearly having the season he had last year when he went for over 1,000 yards, but it isn’t like he isn’t producing. It’s actually a miracle that he has been able to catch 43 passes for 495 yards and one touchdown, since the Browns have gone through six different quarterbacks just this year.

The Browns are in a position to finish the year without winning one football game. It has been a terrible display of football on all sides of the ball. With only three weeks left, many jobs are going to be on the line in Cleveland.

However, that shouldn’t include Gary Barnidge. Honestly, he has been one of the only Browns’ players that have kept out of trouble and produced on the field.

Actually, let’s hope that he finds another home in the National Football League soon.

Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker (11) celebrates after scoring on a 9-yard touchdown pass with 36 seconds left against the Los Angeles Rams during a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins defeated the Rams 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

DeVante Parker

Wide Reciever, Miami

It hasn’t been the season we were expecting from DeVante Parker, but we will blame that on the injury bug that keeps staying around with him. He has dealt with hamstring and back injuries, but he has still been able to produce on the field for Miami in 2016.

Parker has caught a game-winning touchdown, made incredible catches, and helped the Dolphins to stay in the hunt for the playoffs.

Parker has caught 46 passes for 597 yards and 3 touchdowns this season. 

It’s going to be interesting to see how Parker can play in the last three weeks of the season. The only way that Miami can make the postseason is if they win the remaining games of their schedule.

Dolphins’ quarterback Ryan Tannehill just got hurt in Sunday’s game against Arizona, therefore Miami will need Parker, more than ever, to produce for back-up QB Matt Moore.

Dec 11, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) celebrates behind San Francisco 49ers cornerback Jimmie Ward (25) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Levi

Bilal Powell

Running Back, New York

Bilal Powell is quickly becoming my favorite former Cardinal to watch in the National Football League. He is a guy who has been the back-up in New York for a long time, has never complained, and has only produced-when given the opportunity.

Powell just had his best game of the season last Sunday against the 49ers, where he had the game-tying touchdown and the game-winning touchdown in overtime.

The time to let Bilal Powell shine is now for the New York Jets.

Powell has rushed for 456 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also catching 42 passes for 281 yards and 1 touchdown this season.

It was a very tight race between our second and first ranked players, but Powell came just short of this next former Cardinal.

Preston Brown

Linebacker, Buffalo

Preston Brown has been quietly dominating for the Buffalo Bills at middle linebacker this season. Not to mention, he is the only former Louisville football player that is ranked in the top ten in any statisical category this season.

Brown is currently ranked 10th in the National Football League in combined tackles with 105.

Preston Brown has been doing a great job of leading the Bills defense and shutting down the run game. He still has a long way to go, but he is showing signs of becoming an All-Pro linebacker for Bills’ head coach Rex Ryan.

Unfortunately, there is some drama going on in Buffalo right now because they aren’t playing well, but that has nothing to do with the performance of Brown.

It looks like Brown may be one of the best middle linebackers in the AFC East for years to come.

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