Montana Natives Join NFL Practice Squads, Raiders Cut Tommy Mellott

10 months agoUS
Montana Natives Join NFL Practice Squads, Raiders Cut Tommy MellottSource: montanasports.com
Two Montana natives, Junior Bergen and Dylan Cook, have secured spots on NFL practice squads. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders made a surprising decision to cut Tommy Mellott, ending his transition from college quarterback to NFL wide receiver before it truly began.

Key Insights

Junior Bergen, a Billings native and former Montana Grizzlies star, has signed with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad after being drafted in the seventh round. He's known for his special teams prowess, setting an FCS record for punt return touchdowns. Why this matters: Bergen gets a chance to further develop his skills and potentially contribute to the 49ers' special teams unit.

Dylan Cook, who played college football at MSU-Northern and Montana, is joining the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad. He has three years of NFL experience. Why this matters: Cook gains another opportunity to prove himself and potentially earn a spot on the active roster.

The Las Vegas Raiders cut Tommy Mellott, a sixth-round draft pick who was attempting to switch from quarterback to wide receiver. The Raiders decided not to add him to the practice squad. Why this matters: Mellott's NFL career is now uncertain, and the Raiders have ended an experiment that they had invested a draft pick in.

In-Depth Analysis

Junior Bergen's journey to the 49ers' practice squad demonstrates his special teams capabilities and potential as a wide receiver. His preseason performance, including a 28-yard punt return, showcased his skills. Dylan Cook's experience with the Steelers organization provides him with another opportunity to make an impact as an offensive tackle. The Raiders' decision to cut Tommy Mellott highlights the challenges of transitioning positions in the NFL, especially for a late-round draft pick. Despite showing promise, Mellott was unable to make the Raiders' active roster or practice squad. Raiders General Manager John Spytek acknowledged the difficulty of Mellott's transition from FCS quarterback to NFL wide receiver, stating that the Raiders ultimately prioritized players who were more ready to contribute immediately. The Raiders' wide receiver room was also very healthy, making it harder for Mellott to earn a spot.

FAQs

Q: What is a practice squad in the NFL?

Each NFL team has a 16-player practice squad, where players can develop and potentially be called up to the active roster.

Q: Why did the Raiders cut Tommy Mellott?

Mellott, a former college quarterback, was trying to switch to wide receiver. The Raiders felt he wasn't developing quickly enough and chose not to keep him on the practice squad.

Key Takeaways

Keep an eye on Junior Bergen and Dylan Cook as they work to develop their skills and potentially earn spots on their respective teams' active rosters.

The Raiders' decision to cut Tommy Mellott illustrates the challenges of transitioning positions in the NFL and the competitive nature of making an NFL roster.

Discussion

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