Tag: Will Fries

Penn State football 2021 NFL draft player signing tracker

How much are former Penn State players making on their rookie contracts in the NFL in 2021?

Penn State managed to send two players through the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, and one more in the second round. When all was said and done, a total of six Penn State players ended up hearing their names announced as NFL draft picks during the course of the 2021 NFL draft. But now that the draft is in the books, these players are already getting to work with their new NFL teams.

So, what now for these former Nittany Lions like linebacker Micah Parsons and tight end Pat Freiermuth? Signing those first NFL contracts! As is typical, the later-round draft picks are easier and quicker to sign their NFL contracts, as the higher draft picks tend to have a little more negotiating power even if rookie contracts can be relatively standard.

We’ll keep tabs on all of the draft pick contracts to be signed this year by Penn State players who have become NFL rookies in 2021, and we will update this information as needed when more information does become available. Contract details used here are obtained through the terrific sports contract resources available from Spotrac.

Colts sign 5 draft picks to rookie contracts

Colts sign five of their seven draft picks.

The Indianapolis Colts signed five of their seven selections from the 2021 NFL draft to rookie contracts, the team announced Thursday.

Among those rookies that signed include defensive end Kwity Paye, defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo, safety Shawn Davis, wide receiver Mike Strachan and offensive lineman Will Fries.

Paye is the first first-round pick to sign his rookie contract from the 2021 NFL draft.

The Colts rarely have any rookies hold out of their contracts and if there are any hold-ups, it’s typically due to the language of the contract.

The other two rookies who have yet to sign their rookie contracts are fourth-round tight end Kylen Granson and sixth-round quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

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Grading all 7 picks in the Colts’ 2021 draft class

Grading the draft class.

The Indianapolis Colts concluded the 2021 NFL draft with seven picks by the end of the weekend, hoping to find some new impact players on both sides of the ball.

We will just get this out of the way. Draft grades are as useless The Vision was in “Avengers: Infinity War.”

They don’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things and because these players haven’t even stepped on an NFL field yet, it’s all projection. On top of that, it’s subjective to the writer based on their views of the value relative to team needs and how they felt about other prospects on the board.

But with that said, here’s how we graded the Colts’ draft class in 2021:

Introducing the Indianapolis Colts’ 2021 NFL draft class

Say hello to the 2021 class.

The Indianapolis Colts have concluded the 2021 NFL draft, adding seven new players to the roster over the weekend.

From edge rusher Kwity Paye to offensive tackle Will Fries, here’s a look at the Colts’ 2021 draft class:

Colts select OL Will Fries: How he fits with Indy

How does Will Fries fit with the team?

To round out their crop, the Indianapolis Colts finally took an offensive tackle with the No. 248 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft arriving in the form of Penn State’s Will Fries.

While many expected this position to be the team’s first pick in the draft, it actually turns out to be their last.

Fries brings that most important trait needed in any lineman brought into Indianapolis, position versatility. Fries was a four-year starter for the Nittany Lions, starting multiple games at four of the five positions on the line and even one start as a blocking tight end. The only notable exception being at center.

While tape may show far from a polished product, rarely is any seventh-rounder without a few flaws, the Colts are getting a tough and durable worker in Fries who’s gone up against some of the toughest competition in college football playing in the Big Ten.

Below average arm length at just under 33 inches and his athletic and speed limitations including a 5.38 in the 40-yard dash, Fries might be better suited to playing inside at the pro level. Interior play would help bring out the most in what Fries does well with his effort, tenacity, solid hand usage and balance to even the odds against top interior rushers.

As far as projection for the seventh-rounder, the expectation would be that his versatility would prime him to contribute as a depth option across the line, most importantly as a swing tackle candidate if need be. Based on comments made by Colts brass, one would expect Sam Tevi to be the presumed starter at left tackle with Julie’n Davenport also competing for the job.

Fries will have to battle it out with the likes of Chris Reed, Danny Pinter, and Joey Hunt for one of the remaining likely three to four final depth spots in training camp.

Rookie Projection: Depth lineman with swing tackle potential

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Penn State offensive linemen Michael Menet and Will Fries go back-to-back in NFL draft

Penn State offensive linemen Will Fries and Michael Menet spent plenty of time side by side on the field, so their draft picks were fitting.

Perhaps it is only fitting that Penn State offensive linemen Michael Menet and Will Fries go back-to-back in the seventh round of the NFL draft. After so many games played together during their time in Happy Valley, Menet and Fries went with consecutive picks late in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Menet was chosen with the 20th pick of the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals, one pick after defensive end Shaka Toney was selected by the Washington Football Team. Immediately after the pick of Menet came through, the Indianapolis Colts made it three consecutive Penn State players with the selection of offensive guard Fries.

Menet and Fries are each heading to good spots, even if they will have to compete for playing time. Menet heads to Arizona with an offense that should be electrifying with the addition of Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore earlier in the draft. Fries could potentially be an anchor on the Colts offensive line protecting new franchise quarterback Carson Wentz, who was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.

The mini-run of Penn State players brought Penn State’s 2021 NFL draft total to six in the blink of an eye.

Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons was drafted with the No. 12 overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round. Defensive end Jayson Oweh was selected by the Baltimore Ravens toward the end of the first round with pick No. 31. Tight end Pat Freiermuth was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 23rd pick in the second round.

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Penn State’s NFL draft history through the years

With plenty of Penn State talent, we take a look at the history of players that get their name called on draft night.

The 2021 NFL Draft is slated to kick off around 8 PM ET on Thursday night. Football fans are getting excited (and nervous) to see how their favorite teams’ front offices decide which players they want to develop into future stars.

This year, Penn State has a handful of players that should get their name called over the next several days. Top draft prospects Micah Parsons will hear his name on Thursday night pending any chaos that unfolds. Jayson Oweh has been mocked in the first round, but he could fall down to the top half of the second round along with tight end Pat Freiermuth.

Shaka Toney, Lamont Wade, Will Fries and Michael Menet fill out the rest of the 2021 draft prospects for the Nittany Lions.

Penn State football has had 361 drafted players over the years, which is tied for third-most in the Big Ten (behind Michigan and Ohio State) and sixth-most all-time.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, Penn State had five players drafted. Yetur Gross-Matos (Panthers), KJ Hamler (Broncos), John Reid (Texans), Cam Brown (Giants), and Robert Windsor (Colts).

The 1987 NFL Draft was the best year for Penn State football. After coming off a National Championship win over the Miami Hurricanes, 13 players were drafted. LB Shane Conlan was drafted 8th overall to the Buffalo Bills and RB D.J. Dozier was selected 14th overall to the Minnesota Vikings.

Since 2006, the Nittany Lions have had at least one player drafted for 15 straight years. 62 players during that 15-year span that sported the blue and white had their name called.

Make sure to tune in to the 2021 NFL Draft to see which Penn State players get to be a part of the rich history of NFL players to come out of Happy Valley.

Follow Nittany Lions Wire on Twitter and like us on Facebook for continuing Penn State coverage and discussion.

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