Dukies in the NFL, 2017 season

[wilson]

I couldn't find a thread for this, so with roster cuts looming, it seemed like a good time to start one.

Some news:

Jeremy Cash (LB/Panthers), Ross Cockrell (CB/Steelers), Jamison Crowder (WR/Washington), Vincent Rey (LB/Bengals), Matt Skura (C/Ravens), and Laken Tomlinson (OG, Lions) all enter the season as solidly established members of 53-man rosters.

Ross Martin, who entered this year's training camp as something of a long shot, is now seen as the favorite to make the regular season roster as the Jets' #1 kicker (https://www.ganggreennation.com/2017/8/31/16230712/jets-2017-roster-breakdown-ross-martin-is-the-favorite-to-be-the-kicker). The Jets also recently signed former Duke long snapper Thomas Hennessy (https://www.ganggreennation.com/2017/8/28/16215712/jets-greet-the-arrival-of-armagedon-with-a-hennessy), who is said to have a good shot to make their roster in that role.

Max McCaffrey has had a pretty solid preseason for the Packers (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/2237234/max-mccaffrey) and is in the mix for a spot as a reserve WR, but has not yet sewn up his inclusion on the 53-man roster.

Anthony Nash has spent training camp with the Broncos and seems to be too far down the WR depth chart to make the active roster, but seems to have a good chance at inclusion on the Denver practice squad (http://broncoswire.usatoday.com/2017/08/30/nfl-practice-squad-rules-eligibility-denver-broncos-2017-players/).

Quintessential journeyman Thad Lewis has landed with the Ravens this year, his 7th team in 7 seasons. He currently appears to be an odd man out of their QB rotation, but his league experience seems to bode well for his chances to make the Baltimore practice squad (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1114348/thad-lewis).

Lucas Patrick is poised to make the Packers as a reserve OG, but just entered the league's concussion protocol and won't see action for a while (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/2238868/lucas-patrick).

After signing with the Raiders as an undrafted rookie free agent, Breon Borders has impressed in training camp (https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2017/08/10/undrafted-raiders-cb-breon-borders-makes-most-of-chance/104483042/) and may well make the 53-man roster.

The Broncos recently signed Jamaal Charles to their RB stable, so Juwan Thompson will likely be looking for a new job or a practice squad slot soon (https://www.milehighreport.com/2017/8/30/16229962/final-depth-chart-roster-and-injury-designations-mhr-live).

TE Cooper Helfet, after two seasons in Seattle, spent training camp with the Raiders this year, but missed significant time due to injuries and looks to be sweating out the final roster cuts (https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/raiders-cooper-helfet-returns-to-active-roster/).

So that's 15 Blue Devils we have to follow in the NFL this season, at least 10 of whom have very good chances at regular playing time and substantive contributions to their teams. Great times to be rooting for Duke football!

[chrishoke]

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Terms: The #Lions trade guard Laken Tomlinson to the #49ers for a 5th rounder in 2019, sources tell @MikeGarafolo and me.

[johnb]

Terrific updates

[CameronBornAndBred]

Has a kicking/snapping duo from a college team ever gone on to continue their success in the NFL before?

[CDu]

Pretty sure that Lewis is ineligible for the practice squad. You can only be on the practice squad for two seasons, and can get a third practice squad season if you have never played an NFL season before. Lewis has way too much experience, both on practice squads in 2012-13 and on NFL rosters.

The practice squads are filled with guys who are trying to get their first crack in the league, not journeyman vets (almost by definition).

Lewis will either make the 53-man roster or be cut. Most likely he'll play the final preseason game for the Ravens (in which teams don't usually play their regulars at all), then be let go. But you never know.

[budwom]

In fact Laken Tomlinson was in jeopardy of being cut by the Lions (per the Detroit Free Press), and was just traded to SF...major disappointment for a first round pick.

[weezie]

Yeah, bye bye Laken. Makes me sad. But San Fran will be a nicer place to spend his winters. Now he can go to Stanford Medical School.

[English]

It'll be fascinating to watch what the addition of Joe Haden will do to Ross Cockrell's role on the Steelers. Haden has been a shell of himself for a couple of consecutive seasons, so he may be behind both Cockrell and Burns, but they're paying him nicely. Hopefully Ross is comfortably in the starting lineup again this season.

[Pghdukie]

It'll be fascinating to watch what the addition of Joe Haden will do to Ross Cockrell's role on the Steelers. Haden has been a shell of himself for a couple of consecutive seasons, so he may be behind both Cockrell and Burns, but they're paying him nicely. Hopefully Ross is comfortably in the starting lineup again this season.
Cockrell may be the odd man out. Big contract and a past Pro-Bowler has Haden almost assured a roster spot. I believe Cockrell will re-sign shortly if indeed he gets the ax. Cut down day is fast approaching.

[BD80]

It'll be fascinating to watch what the addition of Joe Haden will do to Ross Cockrell's role on the Steelers. Haden has been a shell of himself for a couple of consecutive seasons, so he may be behind both Cockrell and Burns, but they're paying him nicely. Hopefully Ross is comfortably in the starting lineup again this season.


Cockrell may be the odd man out. Big contract and a past Pro-Bowler has Haden almost assured a roster spot. I believe Cockrell will re-sign shortly if indeed he gets the ax. Cut down day is fast approaching.

Haden has supposedly been getting healthier, but hasn't, and isn't likely to regain the speed he had as a pro-bowler. Wouldn't surprise me to see him in the early season line-up at safety or the corner covering slot receiver in nickel or dime packages. The Steelers are quite thin at safety right now, so the secondary is a unlikely spot for cuts. I don't see Cockrell as being in danger yet, but bringing in Haden shows the Steelers believe they need to upgrade the position.

The Lions considered Laken a wasted draft pick.

[wilson]

Breon Borders had himself a pretty big night last night as he attempts to survive the Raiders' roster cuts, picking off a pass in the 2nd quarter (http://247sports.com/Bolt/Watch-Breon-Borders-hauls-in-impressive-interception-Thursday-106735820).

[wilson]

Two more former Devils who had good nights last night: Juwan Thompson, who ran for 56 yards on 9 carries for the Broncos and, according to at least one observer, "showed [he belongs] on an NFL roster," (http://milehighsports.com/broncos-sweep-preseason-after-throttling-cardinals/) and Matt Skura, whom the Baltimore Sun proclaims "a viable option" at center (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bs-sp-ravens-five-things-saints-20170831-story.html) after spending last season on the Ravens' practice squad.

[sagegrouse]

Two more former Devils who had good nights last night: Juwan Thompson, who ran for 56 yards on 9 carries for the Broncos and, according to at least one observer, "showed [he belongs] on an NFL roster," (http://milehighsports.com/broncos-sweep-preseason-after-throttling-cardinals/) and Matt Skura, whom the Baltimore Sun proclaims "a viable option" at center (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bs-sp-ravens-five-things-saints-20170831-story.html) after spending last season on the Ravens' practice squad.

Paragraph including Juwan reference:

Rosters must be pared from 90 to 53 on Saturday; an unprecedented bloodletting driven by this year’s NFL rule change, and for the Broncos, tough choices remain to made at multiple positions. Running backs Stevan Ridley (11 carries for 51 yards and a touchdown) and Juwan Thompson (nine carries for 56 yards) both showed they belong on an NFL roster, but it’s possible that neither player will remain a Bronco, nevertheless.

[wilson]

Thad Lewis and Juwan Thompson have been cut.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-roster-cuts-tracker-chris-johnson-cut-richardson-traded-and-all-the-latest-moves/

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Thad Lewis and Juwan Thompson have been cut.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-roster-cuts-tracker-chris-johnson-cut-richardson-traded-and-all-the-latest-moves/
And Ross Martin was cut by the jets. But I didn't see Hennessy's name on the Jets cut list?

[75Crazie]

The Broncos not only cut Juwan Thompson but also Anthony Nash.

[sagegrouse]

Per ESPN:

The Pittsburgh Steelers sent wide receiver Sammie Coates to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the sixth-round pick they traded to Cleveland last year for Justin Gilbert, then traded cornerback Ross Cockrell to the New York Giants for a pick.

[wilson]

Ok, final roster cuts are now complete. P Will Monday (Bengals), K Ross Martin (Jets), WR Max McCaffrey (Packers), WR Anthony Nash (Broncos), RB Juwan Thompson (Broncos), C Matt Skura (Ravens), CB Breon Borders (Raiders), TE Cooper Helfet (Ravens), and QB Thad Lewis (Ravens) were all cut over the weekend.
That leaves us with this list of Duke NFL players entering the season on 53-man rosters:

Jeremy Cash, LB, Panthers
Ross Cockrell, DB, Giants (traded over the weekend from Pittsburgh)
Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington
Thomas Hennessy, LS, Jets
Lucas Patrick, OG, Packers
Vincent Rey, LB, Bengals
Laken Tomlinson, OG, 49ers

That list is slightly disappointing in its shortness, and several of our late-cut players were thisclose to making regular season rosters. Breon Borders, Juwan Thompson, and Ross Martin, for example, all have a decent possibility to bounce back into active duty if someone gets hurt or underperforms. For now though, the 7 guys above are our ones to watch.

[rsvman]

Yes, the list is too short, but some of these players are fantastic and have already proven themselves on the big stage. Jamison Crowder was amazing last year, and this year he will again be one of the featured receivers for Kirk Cousins at Washington. His role may even increase slightly because of the loss of two big-time targets from last year's team.

[sagegrouse]

Ok, final roster cuts are now complete. P Will Monday (Bengals), K Ross Martin (Jets), WR Max McCaffrey (Packers), WR Anthony Nash (Broncos), RB Juwan Thompson (Broncos), C Matt Skura (Ravens), CB Breon Borders (Raiders), TE Cooper Helfet (Ravens), and QB Thad Lewis (Ravens) were all cut over the weekend.
That leaves us with this list of Duke NFL players entering the season on 53-man rosters:

Jeremy Cash, LB, Panthers
Ross Cockrell, DB, Giants (traded over the weekend from Pittsburgh)
Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington
Thomas Hennessy, LS, Jets
Lucas Patrick, OG, Packers
Vincent Rey, LB, Bengals
Laken Tomlinson, OG, 49ers

That list is slightly disappointing in its shortness, and several of our late-cut players were thisclose to making regular season rosters. Breon Borders, Juwan Thompson, and Ross Martin, for example, all have a decent possibility to bounce back into active duty if someone gets hurt or underperforms. For now though, the 7 guys above are our ones to watch.

I checked the ESPN list by college, which is dated, and Wake has nine, Virginia - 19, Clemson - 36 and VT about a dozen

[martydoesntfoul]

Max McCaffrey was signed to the Saints practice squad. He looked to be having a fantastic preseason with the Packers... this must be really disappointing for him but I hope he gets his shot.

[Reilly]

Guess this means he gets a trip to London:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bs-sp-skura-promotion-20170919-story.html

[wilson]

Guess this means he gets a trip to London:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bs-sp-skura-promotion-20170919-story.htmlIt also means a hefty payday for him...the CBA requires that players promoted from the practice squad must be paid the minimum salary for at least 3 games (even if they don't stick on the active roster for that long). At this year's NFL minimum rate, that works out to a payday for Matt of at least $85,000ish. Not a bad rate for three weeks' work.
Good for Matt!

[English]

Our brethren, Ross Cockrell, had a (fine?) showing for the Gmen on MNF earlier this week. It's brutal watching the NYG on prime time after 10P or so (who keeps giving these guys national games?!), so I only saw bits and pieces, but I did see Cockrell get a PBU on a deep ball intended for Golladay. He had safety help, but still...

[Acymetric]

The Packers offensive line has been decimated this year, and a tackle went down on the first play from scrimmage...hate to see it happen but it paves the way for Lucas Patrick to take over. Hope he shows well!