Washington Redskins Unheralded Players: NT Joey Mbu

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Dec 13, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs with the football as Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Joey Mbu (74) defends during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Mbu is no stranger to being overlooked. Despite earning all-AAC honors in his senior year with the Houston Cougars, Mbu went undrafted in 2015.

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The defensive captain for the Cougars in 2014, Mbu recorded 32 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and an interception in his final year. He amassed an impressive 50 starts in four years with the Cougars. Despite his experience and character, he went undrafted, and signed with the Atlanta Falcons days after the draft.

Mbu’s short career has been quite the roller coaster ride. After preseason of 2015, the Falcons waived Mbu from the roster, only to sign him to the practice squad days later. He remained there until December, when the Falcons elevated him to the 53-man roster. Then a rookie, Mbu appeared in the final two games of the season, recording four total tackles in limited action.

He showed he could play. But he ultimately didn’t show enough. The Falcons included Mbu in their final cuts of the 2016 preseason. They brought him back on the practice squad once again, but released him for good soon after.

The Redskins added Mbu to their practice squad the following October, and signed him to a futures contract this past January. Their hope is that Mbu’s character and intelligence will allow him to develop into a quality nose tackle. Whether that will happen, however, remains to be seen.

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