Tag: justin shaffer

Falcons release former Georgia Bulldogs OL

Atlanta Falcons release former Georgia Bulldogs and Cedar Grove offensive guard after two years

The Atlanta Falcons released former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer. Shaffer spent the past two seasons on the Falcons’ practice squad, but never appeared in a regular-season game for Atlanta.

As a free agent, Shaffer is eligible to sign with another team’s practice squad or to their active roster.

Atlanta drafted Shaffer in the sixth-round with the 190th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. Shaffer’s selection marked the first time in 11 years the Falcons had drafted a Georgia Bulldog. The Falcons also drafted tight end John FitzPatrick in 2022. FitzPatrick remains on the Falcons’ roster along with former Georgia Bulldogs tight end Charlie Woerner, who recently signed a free agent deal with the Falcons.

During the 2021 college football season, Shaffer started at left guard in all 15 of Georgia’s games and he was named to the AP and coaches’ All-SEC second teams. A 6-foot-4, 330-pound guard is still looking to establish himself with regular playing time in the NFL.

Falcons release offensive lineman Justin Shaffer

The Falcons have released former Georgia offensive lineman Justin Shaffer, the team announced on Thursday

The Atlanta Falcons have released offensive lineman Justin Shaffer, the team announced on Thursday. Atlanta selected Shaffer in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Georgia. The 25-year-old spent much of the last two seasons on the practice squad and injured reserve list.

The team signed Shaffer to a reserve/futures contract in January but he will now enter the free-agent pool. With former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith taking over as the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh, don’t be surprised if the Steelers eventually sign the young guard.

Atlanta Falcons release former Georgia Bulldogs OL

Falcons release former Georgia Bulldogs and Cedar Grove offensive lineman

The Atlanta Falcons released former Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Justin Shaffer.

Shaffer should find a role on the Falcons’ practice squad, but his release creates an opportunity for another NFL team to sign him.

Atlanta selected Shaffer with the 190th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. It was the first time in 11 years the Falcons drafted a Georgia Bulldog. The Falcons also drafted tight end John FitzPatrick in 2022. FitzPatrick made the Falcons’ roster.

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During the 2021 college football season, Shaffer started at left guard in all 15 of Georgia’s games and he was named to the AP and coaches’ All-SEC second teams.

A 6-foot-4, 330-pound guard is still looking to establish himself with regular playing time in the NFL. The Falcons announced Shaffer and numerous other players’ release via their team website.

Update: Shaffer has signed with the Falcons’ practice squad, per Falcons Wire.

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Report: Falcons cut former Georgia OL

Falcons cut former Dawg

The Atlanta Falcons reportedly cut former Georgia offensive lineman Justin Shaffer on Tuesday, per multiple reports.

With Atlanta having to trim its roster from 80 to 53 to reach the NFL-mandated limit by 4 p.m. Tuesday, the former national champion and Cedar Grove standout did not make the cut.

Atlanta selected Shaffer with the 190th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. It was the first time in 11 years that the Falcons drafted a Georgia Bulldog.

Shaffer should find himself on the Falcons’ practice squad.

Atlanta also drafted former Georgia tight end John FitzPatrick in the sixth round.

In the 2021 season, Shaffer started at left guard in all 15 of Georgia’s games and he was named to the AP and coaches’ All-SEC second teams.

A 6-foot-4, 330-pound guard, many thought Shaffer would actually have a chance to win a starting spot with the Falcons when he was drafted, or at least earn second-string duties. But Shaffer ran with the third-team offensive line through the preseason and with a cluttered room of guards, it became too crowded for Shaffer to remain.

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NFL contracts for all of Georgia football’s 2022 draft picks

11 former Georgia Bulldogs have signed their NFL contracts. Here’s a look at each player’s deal.

In April, the Georgia Bulldogs made history when they had 15 players selected in the 2022 NFL draft. That is the new record for a 7-round draft, beating out Ohio State (2004) and LSU (2020), which both previously held the record with 14.

Less than a month later, 11 of Georgia’s drafted players have signed their rookie contracts with their new NFL teams. We are currently still waiting on the news of contract signings from running back Zamir White (Raiders), linebacker Channing Tindall (Dolphins), punter Jake Camarda (Bucs) and cornerback Derion Kendrick (Rams).

We will update this list when news breaks that those guys have signed their contracts, but in the meantime here are contract details for the 11 Georgia Bulldogs who have inked their rookie deals, in order of which they were drafted.

Contract Details: Former Georgia football OL Justin Shaffer signs with Atlanta Falcons

Shaffer signed with the Atlanta Falcons last week

Last week, former Georgia offensive lineman Justin Shaffer signed his rookie contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

Shaffer, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, was one of 15 Georgia players taken in what was a historic event for the Bulldogs.

The offensive guard from Ellenwood, Georgia (Cedar Grove HS) was taken with the No. 190 overall pick.

Via the Atlanta Falcons’ official website, Shaffer signed a four-year deal and will be paid according to his draft slot within the rookie wage scale.

NFL salary site OverTheCap.com estimates he’ll earn 3.877 million over the life of the pact, and could include a roughly $217,404 signing bonus, per OTC.

Shaffer is a 6-foot-4, 330-pound guard, and he fits perfectly in a power-heavy scheme. Shaffer’s length, awareness and strength will be beneficial as he transitions into the pros. Hailing from Ellenwood, Georgia, Shaffer participated in the 2022 Senior Bowl ahead of the NFL draft.

In the 2021 season, Shaffer started at left guard in all 15 of Georgia’s games, and he was named to the AP and coaches’ All-SEC second teams.

  1. OLB/DE Travon Walker, Jaguars (details here)
  2. DT Jordan Davis, Eagles (details here)
  3. LB Quay Walker, Packers (details here)
  4. DT Devonte Wyatt, Packers (details here)
  5. S Lewis Cine, Vikings (details here)
  6. WR George Pickens, Steelers (details here)
  7. RB James Cook, Bills (details here)
  8. LB Nakobe Dean, Eagles (details here)
  9. OG Justin Shaffer, Falcons (details here)

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Georgia OL Justin Shaffer taken in sixth round of NFL draft

The Falcons select a Bulldog for the first time in 11 years, and Justin Shaffer is staying home!

Georgia offensive lineman Justin Shaffer was selected with the 190th pick in the 2022 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. This is the first time in 11 years that the Falcons have drafted a Georgia Bulldog.

It was on the 11th pick of the sixth round that Georgia had its twelfth player this year get drafted into the NFL.

Shaffer is a 6-foot-four, 330-pound guard, and he fits in perfectly with a power-heavy scheme. Shaffer’s length, awareness, and strength will be beneficial as he transitions into the pros. Hailing from Ellenwood, Georgia, Shaffer participated in the 2022 Senior Bowl ahead of the NFL draft.

In the 2021 season, Shaffer started at left guard in all 15 of Georgia’s games, and he was named to the AP & Coaches’ All-SEC 2nd Team.

Falcons draft Georgia OL Justin Shaffer in sixth round

The Atlanta Falcons selected Georgia guard Justin Shaffer in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

The Atlanta Falcons selected Georgia guard Justin Shaffer in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft. Shaffer is a powerful interior lineman that was part of the Bulldogs’ National Championship team.

He’s the first offensive lineman the Falcons have drafted, but he could provide legitimate competition for starter Jalen Mayfield at left guard.

“Mauling bear at left guard who plays with a salty demeanor but a lack of consistency,” writes NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “Shaffer will struggle when tasked with blocking one-gapping fronts and sub-package rushers. He matches power with power and can win ugly when needed, but a change in scheme and upgrade in talent across from him could be a challenge he struggles to meet. He needs to prove his size and power can counteract his lack of reactive athleticism and foot quickness.”

Atlanta has one pick remaining (No. 213) before their 2022 draft class is complete.

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The Athletic’s 7-round 2022 mock draft bolsters Bills offense, punter

The Athletic’s 7-round 2022 mock draft bolsters #Bills offense, punter:

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The Athletic’s Dane Brugler published an entire, full slate 2022 NFL draft mock. The draft guru selected all 262 picks for the entire draft.

In this rendition, Brugler sees two major offensive pieces falling into the lap of the Buffalo Bills, giving the team even more explosive talent for the unit.

In the first round, Brugler has Buffalo selecting Arkansas wide receiver. Treylon Burks.

The 6-3, 225-pound receiver would give the Bills a big target outside the numbers. Burks caught 66 passes for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdown receptions. Burks would immediately challenge for snaps at the start of the season.

Buffalo will start their day two selections by sticking with the offensive side of the ball, selecting Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III.

With a second-round running back selection, Brugler sees the need for an upgrade at the running back position for the Bills.

While incumbent Devin Singletary had a strong conclusion to the 2021 season, the choice of Walker III would most likely signal a changing of the guard, especially with early-down carries.

With the 89th pick in Round 3, Brugler moves the defensive side of the ball for Buffalo. The Bills are projected to select Sam Houston State cornerback Zyon McCollum.

McCollum is a big-bodied boundary corner with great speed. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at the NFL Combine this year. McCollum registered 13 interceptions in his college career.

As the mock draft moved into the day three picks, it was clear that the Bills would be getting some developmental pieces who can provide depth at various positions and possibly provide some special teams help.

In the fourth round, Brugler has the Bills picking Nebraska linebacker JoJo Domann.

Domann has some similarities to Buffalo linebacker Matt Milano, as Domann started his college journey as a safety. Domann could grow into a player who matches very well against tight ends in coverage.

Things get a little more interesting in the fifth round, as Brugler has Buffalo making a special teams selection with Penn State punter Jordan Stout. With Matt Haack’s inconsistency, the need for an alternative is necessary.

Stout averaged 46.0 yards per punt on 67 punts. Stout has experience punting in less-than-ideal conditions as well, as he dealt with some snowy conditions at Beaver Stadium.

The Bills add depth in the trenches in the sixth round, selecting Georgia guard Justin Shaffer. Shaffer was named second-team All-SEC by the Associated Press. The Bills will eventually need a replacement for veteran Rodger Saffold, and Shaffer could be an option.

Buffalo closed out this mock draft by adding another cornerback with South Carolina State’s Cobie Durant.

Durant is a speedy (4.38 40-yard dash) but undersized cornerback. Durant has good ball skills, registering 12 interceptions in college.

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How the 14 Georgia Bulldogs did at the 2022 NFL combine

The Dawgs dominated the NFL combine.

No school had more players at the 2022 NFL combine last week than the Georgia Bulldogs, who sent 14 guys from their national championship winning team to Indianapolis for the pre-draft workout.

Georgia dominated; players turned heads in almost every category. Big days from Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, George Pickens, Lewis Cine, James Cook, Zamir White, Travon Walker, Quay Walker and even punter Jake Camarda showed how special the 2021-22 UGA football team really was.

Here are the results from all 14 Dawgs in attendance.