The ‘Hayne Plane’, to the surprise of many, made it into the San Francisco 49ers 53-man squad – and anyone making that group is a genuine chance to play a real, meaningful NFL game.

Hayne suited up for the 49ers in a primetime Monday night football game vs the Minnesota Vikings back in 2015 but, due to inconsistencies catching the football, he only lasted until week 8 before he was cut.

More recently, another NRL convert Valentine Holmes tried his luck in the US too but couldn't make it into the New York Jets 53-man squad this past preseason.

The recent flurry of Australian sporting stars attempting to make it into arguably the toughest sport in the world has drawn large amounts of media attention from various outlets across the country.

The NFL has never been more accessible in Australia than it is today, made possible by Kayo and you can watch the season unfold and have two weeks free trial by clicking here now.

With this unprecedented coverage of the NFL, it is the ideal time to watch our fellow countrymen fly the flag so proudly over in the USA. 

Here are the Top 5 Australian athletes to watch this NFL season 

5. Jordan Mailata 

Offensive Tackle
Philadelphia Eagles

Controversial choice but while Mailata is yet to play a regular season game in the NFL, and most likely won’t for the remainder of this season, Mailata certainly has #1 potential.

Drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, the former junior rugby league sensation for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, has been surrounded by hype and hope to fulfil the obvious potential he has to perhaps become one of the most dominate Right Tackles in the NFL.

Currently weighing in at a whopping 157 kgs, and standing at 6 foot 8, the 22-year-old was once considered ‘too big’ to play in the NRL.

It only takes one look at Mailata to see where all the hype surrounding this man comes from. However, Right Tackle, the position Mailata plays, is considered one of the most technical in the NFL.

While Mailata’s dimensions are very impressive, it will take time to mould the behemoth into a starting quality player, which is why he is yet to play an NFL game.

Unfortunately/Fortunately for Mailata he is behind one of the best in the business in Lane Johnson and while it will be near impossible to take his spot on the starting team in the short term, there isn’t many better to learn the tricks of the trade from.

Expect Mailata to become a household name in a few years. 

4. Lachlan Edwards

Punter
New York Jets

This one was difficult. Number 4 on the list may seem unjust to the Victorian, Edwards who could easily be the highest placed of the trio of Aussie punters on this list.

Coming from an AFL background, Edwards grew up playing junior footy with some of the AFL’s biggest names in Adam Treloar, Tom Lynch, Dylan Shiel and others.

Coming through the college system, Edwards played for Sam Houston State University in Texas where he led the NCAA with a 44.4-yard punting average.

He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL draft by the New York Jets - the first time the Jets had drafted a punter since 1993. 

The New York Jets are struggling on offense, with franchise Quarterback Sam Darnold recently being ruled out for the next few weeks with Mono, and back up QB Trevor Siemian ruled out for the remainder of the season, with a badly broken ankle.

Expect to see a LOT of Lachlan Edwards and his booming punts this season as he pulls the Jets offense out of a lot of trouble. 

The NFL has never been more accessible in Australia than it is today, made possible by Kayo and you can watch the season unfold and have two weeks free trial by clicking here now.

3. Cameron Johnston

Punter 
Philadelphia Eagles

Similar to Edwards, Johnston also came from an AFL background. Born in Geelong, Johnston played Aussie Rules football in the Geelong area before being drafted by Melbourne Football Club in the 2011 AFL rookie draft.

After being de-listed by Melbourne, Johnston looked to pursue a career in the NFL. Johnston picked up a scholarship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, regarded as one of the most prestigious football schools in America.

After having a very successful college career and playing a major part in Ohio State’s National Championship winning side in 2014, Johnston unfortunately went undrafted.

He was later signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017. Last year was his debut NFL season where he set franchise records with the Eagles, with a punting average of 48.1 yards, ranking third overall in the NFL.

Johnston has had a strong start to the 2019 season and will look to continue that throughout, as he has a major role in the Eagles efforts of trying to repeat their 2017/18 Super Bowl winning season. 

2. Michael Dickson

Punter
Seattle Seahawks 

In his rookie season last year, the former Sydney Swans prospect made the Pro Bowl, an accolade given to the most outstanding performers throughout the NFL season, and the first rookie punter in over 30 years to make the Pro Bowl.

Unlike the majority of punters in the NFL, Dickson offers a different dynamic. Yes, he punts the ball far (a very handy average distance of 48 yards a punt), but he also has been used as an unexpected offensive weapon for the Pete Carol coached Seahawks.

You may have seen a clip last year that sent the NFL world crazy of Dickson fake punting and running the ball from the back of his own end zone, barging over a couple Detroit Lions to get the first down, and securing the game for the Seahawks.

Not only that, we have also seen Dickson institute the dropkick into the modern NFL world. Footage of him drop kicking the ball from the kick-off, Rugby Union-style, last year also sent NFL fans crazy.

Dickson is a Swiss Army knife of a punter. You never know what to expect when he gets the ball. He is a must watch. 

The NFL has never been more accessible in Australia than it is today, made possible by Kayo and you can watch the season unfold and have two weeks free trial by clicking here now.

1. Adam Gotsis

Defensive End
Denver Broncos

 The best Australian player in the NFL, Adam Gotsis. Melbourne-born Gotsis spent four years in college playing for Georgia Tech.

Considered a project player heading into the 2016 draft it was a surprise to see Gotsis get selected in the second round (63rd overall). He is the highest drafted Australian born player in NFL history.

Gotsis is a true football player, he embodies the tough Australian battler, he’ll put his head where most people wouldn’t put their feet. His job? Get to the opposing quarterback anyway he can.

Now in his third year in the league, Gotsis development has been quite remarkable. From the ‘project’ player back in 2016 to a true impact player on an already stacked Broncos defensive line with the likes of former Superbowl MVP, Von Miller.

This is Gotsis’s last year on his rookie deal, so expect him to play the house down this season and have a career-best year fighting for a new contract – one that could make him quite a wealthy man.

Look out Quarterbacks, Gotsis is coming to put you on the ground… hard!

The NFL has never been more accessible in Australia than it is today, made possible by Kayo and you can watch the season unfold and have two weeks free trial by clicking here now.