The Arizona Cardinals claimed 6-foot-8, 330-pound offensive tackle Roy Mbaeteka, who was born in Nigeria, off waivers from the Cleveland Browns on Tuesday.
Mbaeteka entered the NFL via the International Pathway Program in 2022 and has spent time with the New York Giants, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns.
He has yet to make his NFL regular season debut.
Mbaeteka had no high school or college football experience when he was discovered at a camp in Nigeria by former Giants All-Pro defensive end Osi Umenyiora.
He participated on the 2021 NFL International Combine in London and was later picked for the 2022 International Player Pathway program.
Discovered by Osi Umenyiora, Nigerian born Roy Mbaeteka is one of this year’s most intriguing prospects. Episode one of our three-part docuseries, “Roy Mbaeteka: Journey to the NFL” is now streaming. @NFLAfrica
Watch Ep 1: https://t.co/qvtX28LW3u
Details: https://t.co/rzbcFslKDv pic.twitter.com/L9pLAuMjzJ
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 10, 2022
According to the Cardinals, Mbaeteka will occupy the team’s designated international roster spot, which was vacated by placing Austrian offensive lineman Valentin Senn on injured reserve.
Mbaeteka becomes the tallest and heaviest offensive lineman on the Cardinals, as the only other 6-foot-8 player in the building is veteran defensive end Calais Campbell.
Arizona has 17 offensive linemen on the active roster with recent re-signee Will Hernandez on the physically unable to perform list and Senn on IR.