How Washington State, Idaho, Eastern Washington products fared on NFL’s 53-man roster cut day

NFL hopes met harsh realities for a variety of local college players on Saturday. For others, meanwhile, the dreaded phone call never came, signifying they’d locked down a spot on the 53-man roster one week before the start of the regular season.

See which former Washington State, Idaho, Eastern Washington players and local high school products made rosters on Saturday, and which ones didn’t, as the day progresses.

Washington StateRiver Cracraft, WR, San Francisco 49ers: Approximately one week after signing a free-agent deal with the 49ers, Cracraft learned he would not be part of the 53-man squad. San Francisco’s injury problems at WR could give Cracraft a strong chance of landing on the practice squad.

Jalen Thompson, S, Arizona Cardinals: Expected to play an integral role for Arizona’s defensive backfield in his second season, Thompson, not unexpectedly, made Arizona’s roster.

Dezmon Patmon, WR, Indianapolis Colts: The sixth-round NFL draft pick who caught 58 passes for 762 yards and eight touchdowns in his final collegiate season made the Colts’ 53-man roster.

Joe Dahl, OL, Detroit Lions: Dahl, the former WSU and University High offensive lineman, will gear up for his fifth season with the Lions and is expected to compete for a starting job.

Hercules Mata’afa, DL, Minnesota Vikings: The former WSU edge rusher didn’t see lots of playing time in 2019, but the Vikings believe in his potential, and his new body, keeping Mata’afa on the 53-man squad.

Andre Dillard, OL, Philadelphia Eagles: If you check for Dillard’s name on Philly’s 53-man roster, you won’t have any luck. Even though he’s with the team, he won’t be counted toward the active roster as a member of the injured reserve.

Gardner Minshew, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Unlike this day last year, there wasn’t much drama for Minshew as the Jaguars trimmed their roster down to 53 players. Jake Luton, the former Oregon State QB who began his career at Idaho, also made the Jacksonville roster.

Deone Bucannon, LB, Atlanta Falcons: One of the longest-tenured former WSU players in the NFL, Bucannon, who spent his sixth season between Tampa Bay and the New York Jets, has made the cut in Atlanta.

Frankie Luvu, LB, New York Jets: Luvu, an impact player for New York’s defense the past two seasons, will be with the club for a third year after making the 53-man roster.

Fred Mauigoa, C, Cincinnati Bengals: The former Cougars center, who initially signed as a UDFA with the Carolina Panthers, was released by Cincinnati.

Anthony Gordon, QB, Seattle Seahawks: The undrafted rookie QB who led the country in passing yards as a college senior was waived by the Seahawks, along with Danny Etling. It’s unclear which of the two QBs will have a chance to remain with the team’s practice squad.

Daniel Ekuale, DL, Cleveland Browns: Ekuale’s stint with the Browns appears to have ended, at least for now, as the American Samoa native was waived by the team.

Easop Winston Jr., WR, Los Angeles Rams: It seemed as though Winston was a priority UDFA signing for the Rams, but the NFC West team chose to part ways with the outside wide receiver on Friday.

Eastern WashingtonKendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers: One of three ex-EWU receivers in the NFL, and in the NFC West, Bourne made the 53-man roster of the defending NFC champions.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams: The former Walter Payton Award winner returns for his fourth season in the NFL after totaling 1,161 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019.

Nsimba Webster, WR, Los Angeles Rams: Webster, a UDFA in 2019, was promoted to Los Angeles’ active roster in November of his rookie season, and he’ll stay there to start his second year in the NFL.

Samson Ebukam, LB, Los Angeles Rams: The Rams’ third EWU product, Ebukam could be primed to earn a starting nod at outside linebacker in his third NFL season.

IdahoMike Iupati, OL, Seattle Seahawks: The former Idaho offensive guard has found a home again in the Pacific Northwest and will stay with Seattle for at least one more season.

Benson Mayowa, DE, Seattle Seahawks: Mayowa’s had NFL stints with four teams, but he returns to the one that initially signed him as a UDFA out of Idaho.

Jesse Davis, OL, Miami Dolphins: The pride of Asotin, Washington, signed a three-year, $15 million contract extension last September and returns for year No. 5 with the Dolphins.

Kaden Elliss, LB, New Orleans Saints: Despite an injury setback his rookie season, the athletic and versatile Ellis made New Orleans’ 53-man roster.

Jeff Cotton, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: A standout receiver for the Vandals, Cotton was signed by the Chargers as a UDFA but didn’t make L.A.’s final roster.

High schoolsEvan Weaver, LB, Arizona Cardinals: The ex-Gonzaga Prep standout who led college football in tackles last season did not make the 53-man roster of the Arizona Cardinals, despite being chosen in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Brett Rypien, QB, Denver Broncos: The former Shadle High quarterback and undrafted free agent was not retained by the Broncos.