HEADLINES

Nick Easton

Vikings Place OG Nick Easton On IR, Sign A New Long Snapper

December 26th, 2017 at 4:15pm CST by GregGoldstein

The Vikings have addressed two injury situations with a couple of moves today. After learning that starting left guard Nick Easton suffered an ankle injury on Saturday against the Packers, the team has placed him on injured reserve, reports Courtney Cronin of ESPN.com. In a corresponding move, Minnesota has signed free agent long snapper Jeff Overbaugh to replace their injured starter Kevin McDermott for the time being.

"<strong

McDermott, 28, sustained a shoulder injury in Week 16, which made him questionable for the Vikings regular season finale on Sunday. However, the team did not want to place him on the IR because there was a chance he could return to the postseason. Overbaugh was part of a group of 10 free agent long snappers that worked out for the Vikings today.

While the roster moves do help the Vikings cover their bases in terms of their special teams unit, losing Easton for the season will hurt the team’s offense a bit. The 25-year-old was certainly not one of the best at his position, ranking 61st among all guards in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. However, it’s definitely a challenge to adjust to a new offensive line this late in the season.

The most immediate replacement on the roster appears to be Jeremiah Sirles, but the Vikings also have Danny Isidora to add further depth to the line in the weeks to come. Minnesota will have a chance to clinch a first round bye with a win over the Bears in Week 17.

Vikings’ Nick Easton Fractures Ankle

December 24th, 2017 at 8:59am CST by Ben Levine

Vikings left guard Nick Easton‘s season is over. According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (via Twitter), the lineman fractured his ankle during last night’s win over the Packers. Easton will require surgery and will be out for the rest of the season.

Nick EastonEaston, a former undrafted free agent out of Harvard, has really come into his own in 2017. The lineman made his NFL debut in 2016, starting five of his 11 games. He took on more responsibility this year, as he started all 12 of his games. Pro Football Focus wasn’t particularly fond of his performance in 2017, ranking him 60th among 78 eligible offensive guard candidates.

Of course, the 25-year-old’s absence will still be a huge hit to the Vikings. The team will likely turn to Jeremiah Sirles to slot into the starting lineup, although the organization could also rely on Danny Isidora and Aviante Collins for more responsibility.

49ers Acquire Gerald Hodges From Vikings

October 6th, 2015 at 3:20pm CST by Luke Adams

The 49ers have added a new defensive player to their roster, according to Rand Getlin of the NFL Network, who reports (via Twitter) that the Vikings are sending linebacker Gerald Hodges to San Francisco in a trade. In exchange for Hodges, Minnesota will receive center Nick Easton and a sixth-round draft pick, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Hodges, 24, has been with the Vikings since being selected in the fourth round of the 2013 draft. A Penn State product, Hodges started seven of 14 games for Minnesota last season, accumulating 65 tackles to go along with a half-sack and an interception, which he returned for a touchdown.

In San Francisco, Hodges figures to push Michael Wilhoite for playing time. Wilhoite, who was elevated to a starting role at inside linebacker alongside NaVorro Bowman following the unexpected retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, has been inconsistent in his increased role during the first several weeks of the 2015 season.

Meanwhile, by acquiring Easton and a sixth-round pick, the Vikings add some much-needed depth to their interior offensive line, as well as landing a future draft asset. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reported earlier today (via Twitter) that the Niners intended to waive Easton, so San Francisco did well to include him in a trade instead and get something in return instead.

With Hodges no longer in the mix in Minnesota, rookie Eric Kendricks looks like a candidate to assume the Vikings’ starting middle linebacker role.

49ers Acquire Nick Easton From Ravens

September 5th, 2015 at 8:51pm CST by Ben Levine

8:51pm: Easton’s Ravens-to-49ers exchange is for a conditional seventh-round pick, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports (via Twitter).

11:51am: According to Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, Baltimore received a conditional draft pick from the Niners for Easton (Twitter link via Zrebiec).

11:20am: The Ravens have traded center Nick Easton to the 49ers, the player’s agent told Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (via Twitter). ESPN.com’s Adam Caplan was the first to report (via Twitter) that the two teams were working on a deal involving the undrafted free agent.

The Harvard product had a solid preseason, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun notes (via Twitter). ProFootballFocus.com advanced metrics (subscription required) show that Easton played 155 snaps this preseason. His overall grade was the highest on the entire team, and it also led all centers.

Zrebiec adds that the odds were stacked against the rookie considering the team’s depth, as John Urschel and Ryan Jensen can both play center.

Ravens Sign 15 Undrafted Free Agents

May 8th, 2015 at 12:04pm CST by Luke Adams

With rookie minicamps getting underway around the NFL, teams continue to officially confirm which undrafted free agents have been added to their rosters in time for the weekend. The Ravens announced today in a press release that they’ve signed 15 UDFAs, and we’ve got the full list below, including known bonus information, via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun:

  • Darius Allen, OLB, Colorado State-Pueblo ($1K bonus)
  • Darryl Baldwin, T, Ohio State ($9K bonus)
  • Brennen Beyer, OLB, Michigan ($6K bonus)
  • DeAndre Carter, WR, Sacramento State ($7.5K bonus)
  • Blaine Clausell, T, Mississippi State ($10K bonus)
  • Trey DePriest, ILB, Alabama ($5K bonus)
  • Nick Easton, T, Harvard ($9K bonus)
  • Kaleb Johnson, G, Rutgers ($6.5K bonus)
  • Jerry Lovelocke, QB, Prairie View A&M ($5K bonus)
  • Terrence Magee, RB, LSU ($3K bonus)
  • Justin Manton, P, Louisiana-Monroe
  • Nick Perry, S, Alabama ($5K bonus)
  • De’Ondre Wesley, T, BYU
  • Julian Wilson, CB, Oklahoma ($9K bonus)
  • Cam Worthy, WR, East Carolina ($2.5K bonus)