Right now there are seven Australians in NFL training camps or will be reporting to them in the next few days. We have ranked them from 1 to 7 with number one most likely to make the final 53 roster and 7 unlikely to make the roster.
BRAD WING – punter, New York Giants
The Victorian born Wing is fresh off signing a new contract with the Giants, he signed a three-year $6.45 million deal, with $3.725 million guaranteed (USD). This all but guarantees the fact that Wing will be on the final 53 man roster and be the punter come week one against the Cowboys, hence why we have him at number 1
ADAM GOTSIS – defensive end, Denver Broncos
Drafted in the second round, 63rd overall by the Superbowl champion Denver Broncos makes Gotsis an almost lock for the 53, almost I hear you ask. Gotsis may have signed a $3.937 million (USD) rookie contract but he is recovering from an ACL injury suffered back in October.
From the Broncos website: “I feel like, come training camp, it might be a couple days before they throw me in there with full-contact type stuff,” Gotsis said, “but I’m feeling really good. I’m feeling real confident and ready to get back out there with the team.”
I expect Gotsis to be on the final 53 but there is a chance that if he suffers a setback he might end up on IR.
JORDAN BERRY – punter, Pittsburgh Steelers
Berry started all 16 games for the Steelers last year after Pittsburg traded Brad Wing to the Giants at the end of training camp last season.
The Steelers have signed Will Monday rookie punter out of Duke to battle with Berry during training camp. It is difficult for a rookie punter or kicker for that matter to remove the incumbent so for that reason we will see Berry punting for the Steelers again this season.
TOM HACKETT, LACHLAN EDWARDS – punters, New York Jets
The two aussies at the Jets… are tied for 4th most likely to make the 53 man roster as you have to imagine one of them will win the job and make the 53.
This camp battle is harder to pick than a broken nose as both guys are so different, Edwards is a more pro style of punter and Hackett is more of a college style or rugby (I hate that term) punter.
Both can punt in both styles so I really have no idea who will win this job, Edwards was drafted but Hackett was signed minutes after the draft ended, who wins this job…. no idea.
UPDATE : Tom Hackett was waived by the Jets to make room for Ryan Fitzpatrick after this story was written.
DAVID YANKEY – offensive guard, Carolina Panthers
Yankey was a 5th round draft pick by the Vikings two seasons ago and spent all of 2014 inactive outside of one game. He spent the 2015 season on the Viking practice squad. He was then signed to a futures contract last year by the Panthers to work out in the offseason and then battle at training camp.
If Yankey can find the form from his days at Stanford he might be able to make the roster but it is an uphill battle which is why I have him at 6th likely to make the final roster
BLAKE MUIR – offensive lineman, San Francisco 49ers
Blake Muir out of Baylor was signed as an undrafted free agent after the NFL draft back in April. It will be an uphill battle for Muir to make the roster, primarily due to reps at camp. When you are low on the depth chart you get limited reps to impress the team and right now there are 16 offensive linemen on the 49ers roster.
The best that Muir can hope for in my opinion is for the Australian to get signed to the 49ers practice squad, which is why I have him the least likely Australian to make the final 53 man roster.
