The preseason of the National Football League is back in full swing and North Carolina Tar Heels fans got the opportunity to see our beloved Drake Maye take his first NFL action with the New England Patriots last night for just one drive. The time was short, but I appreciate them protecting their asset.

Drake Maye might be the most anticipated Tar Heel taking the field in this first week of the NFL preseason, but he is far from the only one. In fact, the program that has produced a handful of NFL talent will see over a dozen notable players take action over the weekend starting with three games tonight.

Here are the top five former Tar Heel players to watch in the first week of the NFL's preseason.

British Brooks, Houston Texans

British Brooks spent most of his time as a Tar Heel backing up Omarion Hampton. Though he played in Chapel Hill for five years, He did not surpass 100 yards rushing in any season prior to his last two years.

He appeared in just 17 games over his first two seasons logging only 10 rushing attempts. He moved up the depth chart after the departure of Javonte Williams and Michael Carter and saw 24 rushes for 99 yards in his third season.

His most productive college years were his last two. In 2021, he ran 31 times for 295 yards and four touchdowns averaging 9.5 yards per carry. His final season in 2023, he ran 75 times for 387 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Brooks will have an uphill battle just to make the Houston Texans' depth chart with Joe Mixon solidified in the starting role and Dameon Pierce, Dare Ogunbowale, and Jahwar Jordan all in front of Brooks for the backup roles.

Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh Steelers

Unlike Brooks who is a rookie trying to make a roster spot, you would have to go back to 2018 to find the last time Cole Holcomb put on a North Carolina uniform. However, he was dominated in Chapel Hill logging 328 tackles and 15.5 for a loss in four seasons with the blue.

Since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Holcomb has spent his entire career on the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent four seasons with Washington with his best coming in 2021 where he had 142 tackles with two interceptions and two forced fumbles amongst other accomplishments.

Last year, his first season with Pittsburgh, came to a short ending after just eight games and a season-ending injury. He was on pace for another 100+ tackle season, which would have been just his third of his career.

Will we see Holcomb make a return from his injury for a series or two tonight?

Michael Carter, Arizona Cardinals

When Michael Carter was traded to the Arizona Cardinals, life was breathed into his scenery. He was drafted by the Jets after spending four years with the Tar Heels and Javonte Williams. In his last two seasons in Chapel Hill, Carter ran for 2,248 yards and 12 touchdowns.

While with New York, Carter ran for 1,041 yards in his first two seasons averaging a mediocre 3.8 yards per carry. He ran 22 times for 149 yards in the six games he spent with the Cardinals which is 6.8 yards per carry. With James Conner getting older, he was largely viewed as his counterpart heading into the year.

That was before they drafted Trey Benson this offseason. Now, Carter is trying to make the depth chart and a good preseason will do just that.

Dyami Brown, Washington Commanders

Dyami Brown spent three years with the Tar Heels before making the leap to the NFL. While in Chapel Hill, Brown caught over 50 passes in two of his three seasons and surpassed 1,000 yards in those same seasons. Combined, he totaled 20 touchdowns as well through 24 games after his freshman year.

That success has not translated to the NFL. In three years with the Commanders, Brown has caught just 62 passes for 476 yards and three total touchdowns. Albeit, in those seasons, he has had Taylor Heinicke, Carson Wentz, and Sam Howell as his three quarterbacks. Everyone not named Terry McLaurin has suffered.

This year, the team drafted former LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who will be the best Washington passer the team has had in a while. This will be Brown's time to shoot up the depth chart and prove he is the same player he was in Carolina.

Devontez Walker, Baltimore Ravens

Devontez Walker was the victim of tremendous scrutiny last season for the Tar Heels after a blocked transfer forcing him to sit out nearly half the season. However, he still ended his season with 41 receptions for 699 yards and seven touchdowns.

He was easily on pace for 70 receptions for over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns which would have been the best of his collegiate career.

Now, he focuses on catching passes from Baltimore Ravens' QBs Lamar Jackson, Josh Johnson, and Devin Leary. He has a path to the WR2 spot alongside Zay Flowers if his preseason turns out as we hope it will. It will be exciting to see him get his first NFL action tonight.

This article originally appeared on Tar Heels Wire : Tar Heels to keep an eye on in Week 1 of the NFL Preseason