With two weeks of the NFL season in the books, it’s time to check in on the former Virginia Cavaliers making an impact across the league.
Jonas Sanker (New Orleans Saints)
The two-time First Team All-ACC safety and Charlottesville native was selected 93rd overall by the New Orleans Saints in the 2025 NFL Draft after a stellar four-year career at UVA. Following an impressive preseason, Sanker will have a major opportunity going forward after Saints’ starting safety Julian Blackmon suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in week one.
Making his first start on Sunday against the 49ers, Sanker had five tackles and three assists, including an impressive open-field stop of Christian McCaffrey. With the Saints in a rebuilding year under first-year head coach Kellen Moore and the injury to Blackmon, Sanker will have an excellent opportunity to prove himself at the NFL level this season.
Malik Washington (Miami Dolphins):
A sixth-round pick by the Dolphins in 2024, Malik Washington delivered the highlight of his young NFL career on Sunday against the Patriots, returning a fourth-quarter punt 74 yards to the house to give Miami a short-lived lead.
After not getting much of an opportunity in his rookie season, Washington is primed for a year-two breakout following a stellar preseason and Sunday’s head-turning punt return. The UVA product who set program records for single-season receptions (110) and receiving yards (1,426) in 2023 has already been peppered with seven targets and four carries through two games as a gadget tool in the Miami offense. Though the Dolphins’ season has gotten off to a rough 0-2 start, Washington should continue to thrive as both a returner and a weapon in Mike McDaniel’s quick strike passing attack.
Dontayvion Wicks (Green Bay Packers):
A fifth-round selection by the Packers in 2023, Dontayvion Wicks flashed in a stellar rookie season, hauling in 39 receptions for 581 yards and four touchdowns. Wicks — who set the UVA single-season receiving record in 2021 with 1,203 yards (since surpassed by Malik Washington in 2023) — didn’t quite have the sophomore campaign that many were hoping for, finishing with only 415 total receiving yards. But with several recent injuries in the Green Bay receiving room, the Wicks breakout might finally be here.
In Thursday night’s week-two win over the Washington Commanders, Wicks took advantage of his increased usage, catching four balls on six targets for 44 yards. Green Bay looks like an early Super Bowl contender in 2025, and Wicks figures to be a big part of an exciting Packers offense going forward.
Juan Thornhill (Pittsburgh Steelers):
Two-time Super Bowl champion Juan Thornhill is now in his seventh NFL season after being drafted in the second round by the Chiefs in 2019. The Virginia native — who made 36 starts at UVA, where he tallied 208 tackles and 13 interceptions — stayed within the AFC North this offseason, signing a one-year deal with the Steelers after spending his past two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Through two games, Thornhill is tied for the team lead with 16 total tackles. The Pittsburgh defense, though, has had an unexpectedly slow start, allowing 32.5 points per game through two weeks.
Olamide Zaccheaus (Chicago Bears):
Despite going undrafted in 2019, Olamide Zaccheaus continues to find roles for himself in the NFL. As Zaccheaus heads into his seventh season in the league, the 2018 First Team All-ACC selection continues to prove that he is a far more capable receiver than his undrafted status would suggest.
Zaccheaus became a go-to target for Jayden Daniels last season in Washington before signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears this offseason. He earned a starting job in first-year head coach Ben Johnson’s offense during training camp and has six receptions for 54 yards through two games, plus one carry for nine yards.
Morgan Moses (New England Patriots):
The 2014 third round pick will be anchoring the right side of the Patriots’ offensive line this season. Moses is entering his 12th NFL season and will now add a fourth franchise to his list of stops around the league. The former ’Hoo, who started 14 games for the Jets last season, steps into what should be a much-improved New England offensive line unit alongside fourth-overall pick Will Campbell.
