Which former TCU players are having the best start to the NFL season?

Week 3 of the NFL season concluded on Monday with a doubleheader between the Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Rams.

The Rams fell 19-16 to the Bengals in a game featuring former TCU All-American Steve Avila. How have Avila and other Horned Frogs played so far during the 2023 NFL season?

Los Angeles Rams

The Rams are tied with the Los Angeles Chargers as the NFL team with the most ex-TCU players.

Steve Avila (LG) and Joe Noteboom (LT) have played major roles for the Rams this season with both players starting. However, Noteboom has struggled with a knee injury that knocked him out of Monday’s game.

The Rams’ offensive line struggled against the Bengals’ pass rush, giving up six sacks and seven tackles for loss and struggled to move the ball throughout the game.

Tre Tomlinson (CB) has mainly been a special teams player so far this season but notched two tackles against the Bengals.

Arizona Cardinals

L.J. Collier (DL) was placed on injured reserve after suffering a biceps injury during the Cardinals season opener against the Washington Commanders.

Emari Demercado (RB) has been used sparingly this season with only five total touches for seven yards through the first three games.

Carolina Panthers

Andy Dalton (QB) signed with the Panthers to be Bryce Young’s backup but after Young was sidelined with an injury, Dalton was forced to start.

Dalton played excellently in his first NFL start this season, throwing for 361 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Panthers 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. If Young is sidelined again in week 4, look for Dalton to start.

Los Angeles Chargers

Quentin Johnston (WR) has sparingly seen the field with the Chargers, only playing in 22% of the team’s offensive snaps. Johnston has caught five passes for 26 yards with no touchdowns. With Mike Williams out for the season with a torn ACL, Johnston will see a bigger role in the Chargers offense.

Derius Davis (WR/KR/PR) has played most of his snaps on special teams and is the team’s punt and kick returner. Davis has two catches for eight yards on the season.

Max Duggan (QB) hasn’t played this season and is currently on the Chargers practice squad.

Houston Texans

Rookie Dylan Horton (DE) is a backup on the Texans and has played behind top pick Will Anderson. Horton has two tackles on the season but has yet to notch his first NFL sack. Horton has also seen time on special teams.

Jerry Hughes (DE) is also a backup and has four tackles and one stuff on the season for the Texans.

San Francisco 49ers

On a loaded 49ers team, Matt Pryor (T) and Dee Winters (LB) both have played the most on special teams, but neither has played heavy snaps for the 49ers.

New Orleans Saints

Kendre Miller (RB) got his first game action of the season against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday and led the Saints in rushing yards. Miller had nine carries for 34 yards in the Saints 18-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

With Alvin Kamara returning from suspension Miller could see his playing time sharply decrease.

Las Vegas Raiders

Tre’von Moehrig (FS) is in his third consecutive season as a starter for the Raiders. Moehrig has 15 tackles and a pass defended this year.

Kansas City Chiefs

Lucas Niang (T) has yet to play this season for the Cheifs.

Minnesota Vikings

Austin Schlottmann (C) starts for a Vikings offense that has averaged the fourth most yards in the NFL this season. Schlottmann has also yet to be called for a penalty this year.

Dallas Cowboys

KaVontae Turpin (WR/KR/PR) has seen his role increase this season with the Dallas Cowboys with Turpin already eclipsing his 2022 receiving yards, rushing yards and touchdowns only three games into the 2023 season.

Baltimore Ravens

Ar’Darius Washington (CB) is the latest Raven to be hit by the injury bug and was placed on injured reserve with a chest injury suffered in the Ravens’ game against the Bengals in week two.

Washington had 11 tackles, two QB hits, two passes defended and a tackle for loss in his first two games of the season.