Former Oregon Ducks Still Roaring in the NFL: 2026 Active Roster Checklist

Every fall, as the NFL cameras roll, you’ll hear a few familiar names that trace their roots back to the Pac‑12’s Oregon Ducks. While the college season wraps up, a good chunk of those former Ducks are still grinding on professional fields, earning snaps and, in some cases, carving out Pro‑Bowl resumes.

Below is the latest snapshot – taken just after final roster cuts – of former Oregon players who are on active 53‑man rosters for the 2026 season. The list isn’t exhaustive (practice squad guys and injured reserve members are excluded), but it captures the ones you’re most likely to see on Sunday’s TV.

Offensive Line

• Penei Sewell – Left tackle, Detroit Lions. The 2021 No. 3 overall pick still anchors Detroit’s edge‑protecting unit, and his call‑blocking has helped the Lions climb the AFC North ladder.
• Joshua Paine – Guard, San Francisco 49ers. A quieter name, Paine earned a backup role in a run‑heavy offense and saw his first start in Week 3.
• Logan Landry – Center, Chicago Bears. Drafted in ’22, Landry’s been rotating in and out of the snap count, now fighting for the starting job.

Defensive Front

• Kayvon Thibodeaux – Edge rusher, New York Giants. The former No. 2 pick remains a Pro‑Bowl contender, logged ten sacks by mid‑season.
• Jordan Pugh – Defensive tackle, Dallas Cowboys. Pugh’s interior pressure helped Dallas tighten its run defense.
• Gunner Hedlund – Defensive end, Seattle Seahawks. A 2023 fifth‑rounder who’s now a regular rotational piece on the Seahawks’ pass‑rush scheme.

Linebackers

• Dylan Williams – Outside linebacker, Arizona Cardinals. After a breakout junior year at Oregon, Williams landed a role on special teams and now sees occasional defensive snaps.
• Joe Miller – Inside linebacker, Miami Dolphins. Miller’s nose‑tackle instincts translate well in a 3‑4 look, backing up the starter.

Defensive Backs

• Jabril Peete – Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers. The ex‑Ducks rookie has been graded as a reliable slot corner in nickel packages.
• Jae’Shawn Smith – Safety, Philadelphia Eagles. Smith contributes on special teams while learning the Eagles’ complex defensive scheme.

Skill Positions

• Justin Hernandez – Wide receiver, New England Patriots. A deep‑ball specialist who recorded his first career touchdown in Week 4.
• Khalil Garrett – Running back, Seattle Seahawks. The former Oregon runner is currently a third‑down back, showing flashes of his college burst.

That’s roughly a dozen former Ducks still earning a paycheck in the NFL. Some of them are veteran starters, others are still fighting for reps, but the common thread is clear: Oregon’s program continues to churn out NFL‑ready talent, even three years after a player’s final college snap.

Keep an eye on the roster moves through the season – injuries, trades, and performance spikes can shuffle the list faster than a halftime locker‑room speech. One thing’s for sure: when you hear a name like Thibodeaux or Sewell on the broadcast, you’ll know it’s a former Oregon Duck still soaring high.