Tag: 2022 rookie class

Vikings rookie report: How is the 2022 class doing so far?

Despite not seeing much of this year’s rookie class this year, there shouldn’t be any concern that they aren’t making a big impact yet

The Minnesota Vikings rookie class has been a major cause for discussion over the first few weeks. The main reason? We haven’t seen a lot of this class thus far.

What does this mean? Well, each player either playing or not playing is its own story. Context is the most important thing when discussing the rookie class, especially after only three weeks. The Vikings are 2-1 so it’s hard to fault them for the approach they have taken.

Let’s take a look at what each rookie has done thus far and why their accomplishments are what they are.

Cowboys announce jersey numbers for 2022 draft class

Several Cowboys rookies will wear jersey numbers that carry special significance in the minds of longtime fans of the team. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Dates on the calendar weren’t the only numbers to be officially unveiled by the Cowboys on Thursday. The team has also revealed jersey numbers for the 2022 draft class.

As announced shortly after his pick was made official, first-round selection Tyler Smith will wear No. 73, the number famously worn by legendary offensive lineman Larry Allen during the mid-1990s and early 2000s.

Second-rounder De Williams will wear No. 54, a number steeped in Cowboys defensive history. Chuck Howley and Randy White, both Super Bowl MVPs, wore that number for Dallas. More recently, linebacker Jaylon Smith wore 54 before switching to his collegiate No. 9.

Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert will sport No. 18, a number worn by Randall Cobb during his one season (in 2019) as a Cowboy.

Tight end Jake Ferguson has been given No. 48, the number most closely associated with dynasty fullback Daryl “Moose” Johnston.

Tackle Matt Waletzko will wear No. 71, a number barely even cold after the offseason departure of La’el Collins.

Cornerback DaRon Bland will be in the No. 30 jersey most recently belonging to fellow cornerback Anthony Brown. Brown had previously announced a switch to No. 3 for the upcoming year.

Linebacker Damone Clark will sport No. 53, a number that’s been worn on both sides of the ball in Dallas. Center Mark Stepnoski wore No. 53 during Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII, but linebacker Bob Breunig took it to three Pro Bowls and Super Bowl XII years prior.

Nose tackle John Ridgeway will wear No. 95, a number previously worn by such defensive notables as Chad Hennings and David Irving. Brent Urban wore it last season before being placed on injured reserve in late October; Urban is currently an unrestricted free agent.

Linebacker Devin Harper has been assigned No 50, a number most current Cowboys fans are used to once seeing on Sean Lee.

The large class of undrafted free agents has also been assigned numbers. Many are duplicates of current Cowboys veterans for the time being.

These numbers may change later as other digits open up due to roster cuts, but they’re the ones that will take the field on Friday when Cowboys rookie minicamp opens.

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Cowboys agree to terms with 20 UDFAs, including Texas Tech kicker

Boston College center Alec Lindstrom and Florida A&M safety Markquese Bell are among the other undrafted players set to join the Cowboys. | From @ToddBrock24f7

The Cowboys finished Saturday, the final day of the NFL draft, with nine new picks. But they weren’t even close to being done with their college prospect shopping.

As per Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, the team has since come to terms with 20 undrafted free agents. Not all of them have signed on the dotted line as of yet.

Among the names who will be joining the Cowboys’ draft class at rookie minicamp are Texas Tech kicker Jonathan Garibay, Florida A&M safety Markquese Bell, and Boston College center Alec Lindstrom.

Garibay connected on 15 of 16 field goal tries in 2021 and didn’t miss at all from inside 50 yards. He’s a career 55-of-57 on PATs and beat Iowa State last season on a 62-yard boot. He and recent free agent signee Chris Naggar could provide a heated camp battle at the kicker position after the release of Greg Zuerlein.

Bell had been linked to Dallas all through the pre-draft season and was one of the Cowboys’ official 30 visitors. He’s a tall, speedy safety with a good wingspan and a reputation for being physical. He and fellow UDFA safety Juanyeh Thomas were considered among the best at their position to not hear their name called in Las Vegas.

Lindstrom was a two-time All-ACC first-teamer at Boston College and was expected to be selected during the draft’s seven rounds. He has an NFL pedigree; his father played for four teams during the 1980s, his uncle Dave was a defensive end for the Chiefs for eight seasons, and his older brother Chris- a guard- was a first-round pick by the Falcons in 2019.

Quandre Mosely, a defensive back out of Kentucky, is the newest name to the UDFA list. He began his college career at Eastern Arizona Community College, but made the jump to the SEC in 2019. Over the course of 36 games for the Wildcats, the 6-foot-2 Georgia native tallied 69 tackles and three interceptions while playing both cornerback and safety.

Teams are permitted to hold a three-day rookie minicamp in early- to mid-May. The Cowboys have yet to announce the dates for theirs.

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