Although no Blue Devils were drafted for the first time since 2012, several are expected to sign free agent contracts with NFL teams to try to earn roster spots.
ACC Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-American safety Jeremy Cash was expected to get drafted by many analysts, but will sign with the defending NFC champions, the Carolina Panthers, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported.
Duke S Jeremy Cash headed to the Panthers. One of top undrafted FAs
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 1, 2016
Like RB Shaq Powell with New England, former Duke OL @lucaspatrick67 gets minicamp tryout with Green Bay, source said.
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) May 1, 2016
Two former Duke standouts—defensive tackle Carlos Wray and punter Will Monday—signed contracts shortly after the draft concluded Saturday evening, with Monday signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Wray with the San Diego Chargers, per the Duke football Twitter account.
CONGRATULATIONS to @William_M41 and @The1st_Montana on signing free agent congrats! #DukeInTheNFL pic.twitter.com/TO0543cgFk
— Duke Football (@Duke_FB) April 30, 2016
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter also reported that wide receiver Max McCaffrey will sign with the Oakland Raiders.
Former Duke WR Max McCaffrey - son of former Broncos WR Ed and brother of Stanford RB Christian - is signing with the Raiders, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2016
Kicker Ross Martin tweeted that he will continue his football career with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
Incredibly excited to announce that I will be continuing my career with the @nyjets !! pic.twitter.com/uEa3VdMPir
— Ross Martin (@ross_martin1) April 30, 2016
The Durham Herald-Sun's Steve Wiseman reported that center Matt Skura will sign with the Baltimore Ravens and tight end David Reeves will also sign with the Steelers and join Monday.
More Duke free agents: C Matt Skura to @Ravens and TE DJ Reeves to @steelers
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) April 30, 2016
Wiseman also reported that linebacker Dwayne Norman will join the Denver Broncos and former Blue Devils Juwan Thompson and Kenny Anunike, who also went undrafted but earned roster spots and Super Bowl rings.
Norman to Broncos confirmed. Joins Dukies Kenny Anunike and Juwan Thompson, who both went from UDFAs to Super Bowl rings, I might add
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) May 1, 2016
Running back Shaquille Powell and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick will attend rookie minicamps for the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers, respectively, even though they do not have free agent deals at this time, Wiseman added.
Duke RB @shaqdaddy1231 headed to rookie minicamp with @Patriots. Not a straight FA deal. Minicamp tryout. But he gets a shot.
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) May 1, 2016
Like RB Shaq Powell with New England, former Duke OL @lucaspatrick67 gets minicamp tryout with Green Bay, source said.
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) May 1, 2016
The Charlotte Observer's Jonathan Jones reported Sunday that tight end Braxton Deaver will also compete in the Panthers' rookie camp.
Former Duke TE Braxton Deaver will compete in Panthers rookie camp, per source
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) May 1, 2016
After the camp, Jones reported that Deaver is expected to sign with Carolina.
Hearing former Duke TE Braxton Deaver will sign with the Panthers after rookie minicamp tryout
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) May 15, 2016
On June 1, the Packers announced that they had signed Patrick.
#Packers sign rookie G Lucas Patrick + release two players.
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 1, 2016
Roster moves: https://t.co/A3i7HZZPs6 pic.twitter.com/YJ2rXFAg8A
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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