Georgia Tech Football: NFL Rookie Update

Shaq Mason

Mason has done well in early practices with the Patriots. According to ESPN, he took a few reps with the 1st team primarily at Right Guard, so it seems that the Pats don't seem intent on transitioning him to Center. Mason, along with the rest of his Patriots rookie class, visited a Boston area children's hospital as well, and pictures can be found here. Mason is number 69.

Deandre Smelter

Smelter is still recovering from his ACL injury, and may not be back this season. If that is the case, it won't be all bad, as he will be given time to learn under Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin, whom Smelter could eventually replace on the 49ers roster.

Darren Waller

Waller has apparently been turning heads at mini camp, and has a decent shot of making the Ravens' final roster despite not being picked until the 6th round. I found this quote from the article encouraging:

"You have to look up really high when you talk to him," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He has good catch radius. We saw it on tape, we saw it in the workout, but now to see it here on our field is the confirmation [of] how well he moves for a big man.

"Now, he doesn't move like a 5-foot-9 receiver. He's long, he's fast, he gets in and out of breaks exceptionally well. He can snatch the ball. So, we'll see where it goes from here, but so far, so good."

Such high praise from his head coach this early can only be a good thing. Hopefully Waller sticks here, and can replace Steve Smith when he eventually retires.

Synjyn Days

Days was cut by the Cowboys on June 8, and has currently not been signed by another team. This was a surprising development, given the Cowboys' lack of reliable solutions at the RB position. I thought Days would at least make it to camp. There is still plenty of time for him to get signed by another team, and teams will be shuffling their undrafted rookies around all the way up until camp. It will be interesting to see where Days lands.

Quayshawn Nealy

Nealy hasn't been generating much buzz at Seahawks practices, which is generally a bad thing for an undrafted rookie. We'll likely have to wait until camp starts to hear significant news about him. I'm in Seattle this summer, and if he is sill with the team at that time I'll try to take a trip to go see practice and write about it.

Zach Laskey

Laskey has been working at Fullback for the Rams instead of Running Back. Fox Sports did a great article on him that not only touched on his quest to make the roster, but also on the state of NFL offenses. It's a good read if you have a few minutes.

Isaiah Johnson

Johnson has been generating a lot of positive press from Lions media outlets. Many are focusing that he shares a last name, High School, and College with the legendary Calvin Johnson, but there are other positives as well. Johnson will be given plenty of chances to show his skills at camp if the Lions' contract dispute with James Ihedigbo causes him to hold out of camp. There currently seems to be a good chance that Johnson will make the Lions' final roster.