LSU Rookies in the NFL Update
By Scotty Nola
Here at the Big Easy Believer we’ve been doing our own version of Hard Knocks, tracking the class of rookies LSU sent to NFL training camps as they went through the process. For some players training camp was very good.
Kwon Alexander was a star in the Bucs training camp, and Danielle Hunter earned a lot of accolades from Vikings coaches who were wowed by his tremendous athleticism.
Other players struggled but still got some good news. Terrence Magee and Ronald Martin were initially told they were being cut, both ended up on the 53 man roster for the first week.
For Jermauria Rasco and Connor Neighbors the news was a litle tougher. Both were placed on injured reserve, but with a designation that will allow them to go into camp with their teams next year and try again.
That was where we left it after the final camp cutdowns. With three weeks of play done in the NFL it’s time to revisit our LSU rookies and update their status.
La’el Collins, Dallas Cowboys
La’el Colins was allowed to tryout at both tackle and guard for the Cowboys in camp. He wasn’t able to unseat either RT Doug Free or LG Ron Leary for a starting spot, and was moved in to guard full time as a back up.
With Leary injured last week Colins saw his first significant action as a pro. He played well overall, paving the way for some key runs and scoring in the top third of all rookie guards according to ProFootballFocus.
Leary is back in practice this week and will probably start against the Saints, but Collins has passed his first test and his future looks more assured than ever.
Jalen Colins, Atlanta Falcons
Jalen Colins is contributing mainly on special teams so far. He has played more snaps in kick coverage than defense through three games.
This is cause for some concern because the DB starting ahead of him has struggled. You can’t really make a judgement yet though. Cornerback in the NFL has become one of the most difficult positions on the field to master and teams are bringing rookie corners on a lot slower than they used to.
Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
Danielle Hunter was drafted because of his upside potential and the plan was to bring him along slowly until he is ready to contribute.
The Vikings have been sticking with the plan so far. After giving Hunter heavy use during the preseason they have only dressed him for one of the teams first three games.
Hunter was underwhelming in his only action so far, playing 20 snaps and not really making an impact as a pass rusher.
Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs between Tampa Bay Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) and Saints tackle Terron Armstead (72) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won, 23-19.Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Kwon Alexander was drafted as a long shot in the fourth round and surprisingly beat out very strong competition in Bucs camp to win one of their starting jobs.
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Kwon has struggled in the early going. He has done well as a pass rusher but learning a new position and new defense have taken their toll.
Like rookie MLB Stephone Anthony of the Saints Kwon has graded out pretty poorly through three weeks. According to ProFootballFocus the pair are by far the worst graded LB’s in the rookie class.
That sounds bad but the pair are also the only full time starters at MLB among rookie MLB’s. Growing pains are part of the territory, sometimes.
The confidence Tampa Bay coaches have displayed in Kwon Alexander show that he has a bright future in the NFL once he settles into his new role.
The Undrafted Free Agents
For undrafted free agents the NFL life is often a struggle to earn a roster spot and the game checks that come with it. That has been the case for LSU’s rookie group this year.
Kenny Hilliard looked good for the Texans in the preseason and with starting RB Arian Foster hurt to start the season he looked like a good bet to make the roster.
The Texans brought in a vet instead and placed Hilliard on their practice squad. That’s where he’s stayed so far, with no status change.
Terrence Magee was one of the most popular players for the Ravens in training camp. He was initially placed on their practice squad before being signed to the regular roster to start the season due to an injury at his position.
That only lasted two weeks though. Magee was cut from the 53 man roster when the Ravens traded for an extra cornerback. He was then resigned to the Ravens practice squad.
Ronald Martin spent training camp with the Seahawks before being waived in the final cutdown.
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The Seahawks wanted to place Martin on their practice squad but the Jets moved in and signed him to their active roster.
The Seahawks weren’t quite through with Martin though. When Kam Chancellor ended his holdout the Seahawks waived his replacement, who was picked up by the Jets.
The Jets had to waive Martin to make room on their roster for the new addition, then signed Martin to their practice squad. He will have an uphill climb to make his way back onto the roster, but he is still in the mix…