Where Did BC's NFL Rookies Land on Cut Day?
Andy Backstrom (
@andybackstrom)
Publisher
Boston College had only one player drafted this year: interior offensive lineman
Zion Johnson, who went 17th overall to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Johnson slots right into a Chargers O-Line that has been completely revamped since Brandon Staley took over as head coach.
But what about the rest of the Eagles who were trying to make the leap to the NFL?
Here's a rundown of what happened to BC's undrafted free agents who were gunning for spots on their respective team's 53-man rosters this summer.
C Alec Lindstrom was signed to the Dallas Cowboys practice squad
Alec Lindstrom, a two-time All-ACC first-team center, was waived by the Dallas Cowboys but then signed to their practice squad. Lindstrom was nursing an ankle injury that cost him one preseason game. Lindstrom played 70 total snaps this summer and, according to Pro Football Focus, fared much better in his second outing than his first. Lindstrom's final appearance came against Seattle, and he didn't allow a single pressure while registering a 75.5 PFF run blocking grade.
OT Tyler Vrabel was signed to the Atlanta Falcons practice squad
Rather than returning to BC for a final season,
Tyler Vrabel entered his name into the NFL Draft. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent and now will be staying with the organization on its practice squad. Vrabel is a swing tackle for the Falcons, although he played all 106 of his preseason snaps on the right side. Vrabel struggled in pass protection, allowing two sacks and five pressures, per PFF. He was better in the ground game, logging a 68.2 PFF run blocking grade across his three games.
OL Ben Petrula was cut by the Cleveland Browns
Unlike Lindstrom and Vrabel, Ben Petrula wasn't signed to the practice squad of the team that gave him a shot as an undrafted free agent. The Cleveland Browns waived Petrula after the versatile and durable O-Lineman allowed five pressures and committed three penalties in 90 preseason snaps, per PFF.
CB Brandon Sebastian was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers
Cornerback Brandon Sebastian was cut by the Los Angeles Chargers. Sebastian had a bit of a rough go of it in preseason action. In his first game, against the Rams, he was called for defensive pass interference, and he allowed a touchdown reception. He notched six tackles the next week versus Dallas yet conceded three receptions for 70 yards on three targets. His best game came against New Orleans as Sebastian recorded a PFF defensive grade of 69.2. He finished the preseason with one pass break-up.
LB Isaiah Graham-Mobley reverted to Carolina Panthers' IR list
Injuries have given linebacker Isaiah Graham-Mobley trouble his whole career: first at Temple, then at BC and now in the NFL. "IGM" reunited with old Temple head coach Matt Rhule in Carolina, however, he only got to play 33 preseason snaps for the Panthers because of an undisclosed injury. Graham-Mobley was waived, and then, after clearing waivers, he reverted to the Panthers' injured reserve list.
BONUS: QB Anthony Brown was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad
Before Anthony Brown Jr. transferred to Oregon, he was a three-year starting quarterback for BC. Brown has grown significantly since then, and that development was on full display this preseason. He completed 35-of-47 passes (74.5%) for 464 yards while accounting for four Baltimore Ravens touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). Unsurprisingly—because the Ravens are known to keep only two quarterbacks on their active roster—Brown was waived and signed to the practice squad. Ravens backup Tyler Huntley performed well in the preseason, too, so it's possible Baltimore trades Huntley at some point this year, giving Brown a chance at the QB2 spot.
BONUS: QB EJ Perry was signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad
EJ Perry is another former BC quarterback who actually backed up Brown before starring in the Ivy League. Perry, a standout at Brown, was the East-West Shrine Bowl MVP but went undrafted and ended up signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars after initially agreeing to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles. It was a roller coaster preseason for Perry. He was released on July 24 with a non-football injury designation. Then, on Aug. 9, he was brought back when the Jags released Kyle Sloter. Perry eventually was waived again, except this time he was signed to Jacksonville's practice squad. The former Andover product got the start in the Jags' final preseason game and played the whole contest, completing 19-of-37 passes for 201 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
