Tag: Darius Rush

Which 2023 draft picks failed to make the initial rosters

Tracking which 2023 NFL draft picks did not make the initial 53-man rosters, including a Heisman finalist and the nation’s leading rusher in 2022

The NFL draft is an inexact science. Every year there are rookie draft picks who can’t make the initial roster for the teams that selected them months earlier. This year’s draft class is no exception.

A total of 17 rookie 2023 draftees didn’t make the cut, not counting players who went on injured reserve.

Perhaps the biggest name is Colts CB Darius Rush. Indianapolis quickly gave up on the fifth-rounder from South Carolina. Baltimore also cut a fifth-round cornerback in Kyu Blu Kelly.

Jacksonville had three 2023 draftees that didn’t make the cut. Sixth-round CB Erick Hallett II and seventh-rounders FB Derek Parish and DT Raymond Vohasek didn’t make it.

Chicago waived two of its picks, DT Travis Bell and S Kendall Williamson. Both were seventh-round picks. Miami waived sixth-round TE Elijah Higgins and seventh-round OL Ryan Hayes, two of the Dolphins’ four selections in the 2023 draft.

The nation’s leading rusher in 2022, Dewayne McBride at UAB, couldn’t crack the Vikings roster despite being a seventh-round pick. The same was true for TCU QB Max Duggan, a Heisman finalist for the Horned Frogs. The Chargers waived Duggan, a seventh-rounder.

Other 2023 picks who got waived:
Jets TE Zach Kuntz (7th round)

Bills DB Alex Austin (7th round)

Bills OL Nick Broeker (7th round)

Texans S Brandon Hill (7th round)

Packers WR Grant Dubose (7th round)

Buccaneers EDGE Jose Ramirez (6th round)

The original post had an omission and has since been edited

Players recently cut that could interest the Detroit Lions

Here are some recently cut players that stand out as guys Lions GM Brad Holmes could go after.

Roster cutdowns can be an opportunity to build up a roster. Players who didn’t make one team, for whatever reason, might wind up being a good fit for another. For the Detroit Lions and GM Brad Holmes, it’s an opportunity to potentially churn the bottom of the roster even after the initial 53-man unit has been established.

Waiver claims right after the roster cutdown aren’t terribly common. but they do happen. This is how the Lions added Romeo Okwara to the roster back in 2017. There is now an opportunity for another player or two to join Okwara as a roster cutdown waiver claim who can become a long-term Lion.

The Lions are 18th in the waiver wire order by virtue of their 9-8 finish in 2022; the waiver wire order is based on the final result of the prior season at this point. Remember: players claimed on waivers go directly to the 53-man active roster, which means someone who initially made the Lions would have to be removed from the active roster — be it a cut or a move to the injured reserve.

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While I don’t expect the Lions to be very active on the waiver claim front, there are a few players who got cut by other teams that could fit roles in Detroit. Here are some that stand out as players GM Brad Holmes could go after.

6 Colts to watch vs. Bears in preseason Week 2

Here are six Colts players to watch during the preseason game Saturday night.

The Indianapolis Colts are set to host the Chicago Bears for a preseason matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night.

While it isn’t clear whether the starters will be playing, all eyes would be on rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson if he’s on the field. So there’s no need to tell readers to watch for him.

With training camp officially over, only the preseason stands between the Colts and games that actually matter.

Here’s a look at six players to watch during Saturday night’s matchup against the Bears:

WATCH: Darius Rush grabs pick-six in preseason debut

Darius Rush put that 4.36 speed on display for a pick six!

Indianapolis Colts rookie cornerback Darius Rush is climbing his way up the depth chart, and he recorded a pick-six during his preseason debut against the Buffalo Bills on Saturday.

As the Bills opened the second half of the preseason opener with the ball, Rush made the most of a tipped screen pass to the left side of the formation. Once he secured the ball, it was a foot race to the end zone from 52 yards away.

He put that easy 4.36 speed on display as he found his way into the end zone to give the Colts the lead.

Colts rookie CB Darius Rush made training camp debut

An intriguing Colts rookie made his debut at training camp Thursday.

Indianapolis Colts’ fifth-round pick, Darius Rush returned to the practice field Thursday for his first practice of training camp.

Rush, who participated in some spring work during OTAs, sat out all of the first five practices due to a shoulder injury.

In the spring, Rush was one of the rookies that stood out in rookie minicamp.

With the time that he’s missed, it is critical for a Rush to stay on the field and begin to get some reps on defense. Because he is five practices behind, Rush will have to play catch-up.

Now that he practicing at full capacity, Rush will have an opportunity to battle for starting reps at cornerback. He will have some stiff competition in Dallis Flowers, Darrell Baker Jr. for the starting roles, along with Julius Brents once he returns to practice from a nagging hamstring injury.

The Colts cornerback room is one massive competition through the first two weeks of training camp, and the preseason games will have plenty of say in how the depth chart is arranged.

With Rush now back on the field, the rookie can begin making his case for a big role.

Colts’ 2023 training camp preview: Cornerbacks

Previewing the cornerback position as the Colts enter training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts are set to return for training camp at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield with their first practice being held July 26.

Before then, we’ll be previewing each position, giving our takes on the starters, position battles and projected depth chart entering camp under the new regime.

One of the biggest question marks entering Colts camp surrounds the cornerback position. The departure of Stephon Gilmore and the release of Isaiah Rodgers Sr. created a massive void in the room.

You can follow along with our training camp previews as we post the links below:

Quarterback Running Back Wide Receiver Tight End
Offensive Line Defensive Line Linebacker Cornerback
Safety Special Teams

Here’s our preview of the cornerbacks entering training camp:

7 Colts rookies to watch at training camp

Rookies will be all the rage at Colts training camp.

The Indianapolis Colts are opening up their training camp on July 26 at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield.

This season they will be leaning on having major contributions from their rookie class. It’s a new era for the franchise and one that includes a new direction with a fresh face at the quarterback position along with several additions to the defensive side of the ball.

Here are seven first-year players to watch when training camp kicks off later this month:

6 Colts rookies who could crack starting lineup in 2023

Which rookies have a chance to crack the starting lineup in 2023?

The Indianapolis Colts will be entering training camp with a massive rookie class vying for roster spots and starting roles.

With 11 draft picks (excluding Daniel Scott) and 12 undrafted free agent rookies currently on the roster, there will be plenty of competition throughout the month of August.

Cracking the starting lineup would be considered a win for the majority of rookies on any team. First-round picks certainly get more opportunities to do so, but the Colts have an intriguing rookie class with potential starters all over the place.

Though no undrafted free agent rookies made this list, here are six Colts rookies who could crack the starting lineup in 2023:

6 Colts who need to step up amid Isaiah Rodgers Sr. suspension

These Colts will need to step up with Isaiah Rodgers expected to be suspended.

The Indianapolis Colts are betting that a young group of players to compete for the starting outside cornerback spots, and that battle, unfortunately, got thinner due to Isaiah Rodgers Sr. being expected to receive a season-long suspension.

The news was first reported Wednesday by ESPN that Rodgers Sr., along with other NFL players, are expected to receive a suspension due to violations of the league’s gambling policy.

Because of the expected suspension, Kenny Moore II is the only corner on the roster that has played more than 438 defensive snaps.

Gus Bradley is going to need his young group of players to step up and take advantage of the opportunity in front of them.

Here are six players who will be looking to fill Rodgers Sr. void in the defense:

How Isaiah Rodgers’ suspension impacts Colts

How Isaiah Rodgers Sr.’s suspension impacts the Colts.

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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Isaiah Rodgers Sr. is expected to receive a season-long suspension from the league for violating the NFL’s policy on gambling.

The news was handed down Wednesday in response to an investigation that raised concerns that Rodgers was part of numerous bets on NFL games, reportedly including some that involved the team.

The expected unavailability of Rodgers casts serious doubt on the strength of the Colts’ cornerback unit. Despite returning veteran Kenny Moore II, the group is fragile regarding experience.

Several players are limited in starting experience, instead having niche skillsets related to special teams. Not to mention, the remaining unit is exceptionally young including this year’s draft class haul of Julius Brents, Jaylon Jones, and Darius Rush.

If the team chooses not to sign a veteran cornerback to replace Rodgers, fifth-round pick Darius Rush could get the nod to start in his place. Rush has elite athleticism with long arms that could help his assimilation into the role. However, asking Rush and several rookies to start in the secondary will be very challenging for the Colts and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

What could help these young players is a quick, explosive pass rush that can disrupt games and stop passing attacks. The team’s 11th-ranked defense, which produced 44 sacks and a pressure rate of 22% in 2022, will need to step up again to help mitigate the secondary youth. Additionally, this could be a prime opportunity for Kenny Moore to shine.

Before the beginning of last season, he wanted a new contract that matched his belief that not only was he the best slot corner in the NFL, but one of the best in the league, period. This is his chance to prove that as he enters his second year in Bradley’s system. Elite play on the field and accompanying mentorship could help lessen the weight of Rodgers’s absence.

The most important thing for fans to remember is that this will continue to be fluid. The coaching staff will continue to tweak the lineup based on production, matchups, and specific packages. Patience is needed and warranted.