Locals living the dream: Checking in with the 13 Central Mass. standouts on NFL rosters

With the NFL season reaching its midpoint, it's a fine time to check in on how the local products are faring in the professional ranks.

Chris Lindstrom (Dudley/Shepherd Hill Regional)

Guard, Atlanta Falcons

The former first-round draft pick out of Boston College has made 42 straight starts for the Falcons, and nine games into the season, Pro Football Focus has Lindstrom as the highest-graded right guard in the league. The 6-foot-3, 307-pound Lindstrom has helped pave the way for Atlanta’s third-ranked rushing offense. The Falcons (4-5) will look to get back to .500 in Thursday’s matchup against the Panthers, an important game in the bunched-up NFC South standings.

Noah Gray (Gardner/Leominster High)

Tight end, Kansas City Chiefs

Gray has been a prime-time performer for the Chiefs this season. In Sunday night’s win against the Titans, Gray made a clutch, 27-yard reception to help set up KC’s go-ahead field goal in overtime. “That was probably the reason that we were able to get down there and win,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of Gray’s grab. In a “Sunday Night Football” game earlier this season, Gray lined up behind center, took a direct snap and scored a 1-yard touchdown to help Kansas City defeat the Bucs. On the year, Gray, a 2021 fifth-round draft pick out of Duke, has 10 catches for 123 yards and has continued to be a key pass blocker.

Patrick Ricard (Spencer/David Prouty)

Fullback, Baltimore Ravens

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Ricard has been a major factor in the Ravens get their rushing attack going during their current three-game winning streak. In victories over the Saints, Bucs and Browns, Baltimore averaged 193 yards on the ground and a 13-minute advantage in time of possession. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Ricard has been a constant presence on the field, and, as usual, a physical blocker. The undrafted free agent out of Maine has four carries for 10 yards, and Ricard has helped the Ravens take a one-game lead over the Bengals in the AFC North standings into their bye week.

Ifeatu Melifonwu (Grafton)

Safety, Detroit Lions

A severe quadriceps injury limited Melifonwu to seven games and four starts last season as a rookie. Injuries again have hampered the former third-round pick out of Syracuse this year. Melifonwu missed time during training camp, and an ankle injury sidelined him for Detroit’s last three games. He has played in two games, mostly on special teams.

Isaac Yiadom (Worcester/Doherty High)

Cornerback, Houston Texans

Abdomen and thigh injuries have limited Yiadom to three games. Yiadom, a former Boston College star and third-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos in 2018, signed with Houston, his fourth NFL team, in March. Yiadom played for the Giants in 2020, and in 16 games for the Packers last season.

Sean McKeon (Dudley/Shepherd Hill Regional)

Tight end, Dallas Cowboys

Late last month, the Cowboys elevated McKeon from their practice squad to the active roster for the third time this season. McKeon has played in two games and has one reception for 10 yards. McKeon signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent out of Michigan in 2020, and came back from a neck injury last season to play in 10 games, score his first career touchdown and contribute on special teams.

Richard Rodgers (St. John’s)

Tight end, Los Angeles Chargers

A nine-year NFL veteran, Rodgers signed with the Chargers’ practice squad Sept. 5, and the team promoted him to the active roster Sept. 28. Rodgers, originally a third-round pick of the Packers out of Cal in 2014, has played in six games. Injuries hampered Rodgers during his three seasons with the Eagles. He spent time on and off the Eagles’ practice squad last year, and appeared in three games. Rodgers had his best season in 2015 with the Packers when he caught 58 passes for 510 yards.

Deonte Harty (Assumption)

Wide receiver/Return specialist, New Orleans Saints

Harty, known as Deonte Harris during his record-setting and All-America career at Assumption, has been on injured reserve since Oct. 22. Harty suffered a toe injury in the Saints’ game against the Seahawks two weeks earlier. Before his injury, Harty, an All-Pro returner his rookie season in 2019, averaged 2.7 yards on three punt returns and 22.8 yards on six kickoff returns. He had two receptions for 13 yards.

Kalif Raymond (Holy Cross)

Wide receiver/Return specialist, Detroit Lions

With 20 receptions for 255 yards, Raymond ranks fourth among Lions receivers. He is averaging 7.9 yards on punt returns, and his one kickoff return was for 52 yards. Raymond was Detroit’s leading receiver in an Oct. 23 loss to the Cowboys. After two productive season with the Titans, Raymond signed with the Lions before the start of last year. He ranked fourth in the NFL with an 11.2-yard punt return average and set career highs for games played (16), starts (14), receiving yards (576) and receiving touchdowns (4).

Zach Triner (Assumption)

Long snapper, Tampa Bay Bucs

In his fourth season with the Bucs, the former Assumption defensive lineman has played in all nine games. A finger injury held out Triner for nine weeks in 2021, but he played in all 16 regular-season games in 2019 and 2020. He was a member of the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV championship team. The Bucs have struggled this season, but quarterback Tom Brady led a winning fourth-quarter drive against the Rams last week, and Tampa Bay snapped a three-game losing streak.

Benton Whitley (Holy Cross)

Outside linebacker, Minnesota Vikings

The three-time All-Patriot League first-team honoree has made the rounds during his NFL rookie season. Whitley originally signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent, and spent time on the defending Super Bowl champion’s practice squad before joining the Chiefs. Whitley was on KC’s active roster for three weeks, but did not play in a game. The Chiefs waived him and signed him to their practice squad, and on Oct. 18, the Vikings added Whitley to their 53-man roster. He has yet to see action for Minnesota, which at 7-1 has the league’s second-best record.

Alec Lindstrom (Dudley/Shepherd Hill Regional)

Center, Dallas Cowboys (practice squad)

Lindstrom has spent the majority of his first NFL season on Dallas’ practice squad. On Sept. 17, the team elevated him to the 53-man roster, but he was inactive for the Cowboys’ Week 2 game against the Bengals. At Boston College, Lindstrom was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and a finalist for the 2021 Rimington Trophy as the nation’s top center. He signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. Lindstrom was a high school teammate of Cowboys tight end Sean McKeon, and he is the younger brother of Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom.

Jimmy Murray (Holy Cross)

Offensive lineman, Jacksonville Jaguars (practice squad)

The Jaguars signed Murray to their practice squad Sept. 12. Murray entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Chiefs in 2018, and made his NFL debut for Kansas City that season. He has since spent time on the practice squads of the Jets, Texans and Ravens.

−Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @JenTolandTG.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Checking in with the 13 Central Mass. football standouts on NFL rosters