For the primary time since 2016, the Colorado Buffaloes had been shut out within the NFL Draft.
It didn’t take lengthy for one in all CU’s high prospects to land a free agent deal, nevertheless.
Shortly after the conclusion of the seven-round draft Saturday, former CU linebacker Nate Landman agreed to a free agent alternative with the Atlanta Falcons.
Outdoors linebacker Carson Wells, offensive lineman Kary Kutsch, defensive lineman Mustafa Johnson and tight finish Matt Lynch had been among the many different former Buffs hoping for an NFL alternative.
Landman and Wells had been each projected as potential late-round picks, however weren’t among the many 262 gamers chosen.
CU had at the least one participant drafted yearly from 2017-2021. Previous to that stretch, the Buffs had a two-year run, in 2015 and 2016, with no gamers chosen.
A four-time All-Pac-12 performer throughout his 5 seasons at CU, Landman participated within the NFL Mix in March. He pulled a hamstring throughout his 40-yard dash, nevertheless, ending with a time of 4.86 seconds.
At CU’s professional day on March 16, Landman didn’t run the 40, however had 20 reps on the 225-pound bench press, which quieted some issues in regards to the shoulder harm that sidelined him for the ultimate 5 video games of the 2021 season. Landman additionally completed the 2020 season on the sidelines after a ruptured Achilles’ tendon.
When wholesome, nevertheless, Landman was one of the productive linebackers within the Pac-12 and he was a two-time semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which is introduced to the highest linebacker within the nation every season.
Throughout his CU profession, Landman performed in 47 video games, together with 36 as a starter. He’s tied for fifth in CU historical past with 409 profession tackles, whereas rating second in unassisted tackles (285) and sixth in tackles for loss (41). He led the Buffs in tackles three years in a row from 2018-20.
Requested on professional day what he may deliver to an NFL staff, Landman mentioned, “I’ll deliver a pacesetter; somebody who can compete in all phases of protection and particular groups. A man like I’ve been right here – I needed to show myself in each aspect and I believe I can come contribute early. I’m a man that’s gonna get the locker room going and simply do no matter it takes to assist the staff win video games.”
Wells racked up 15.5 sacks and 38 tackles for loss throughout his CU profession and was one of many extra dominant edge rushers within the Pac-12 the previous two seasons. He led the nation in tackles for loss in 2020 and was second within the Pac-12 in TFLs final season.
Kutsch began 28 of his 40 video games with the Buffs, together with all 12 video games final yr as left guard. He earned All-Pac-12 honorable point out.
Johnson performed 4 seasons at CU and compiled 17 sacks and 34 tackles for loss. He went undrafted and unsigned in 2021 and was capable of get hold of a waiver to return to the Buffs final season. In eight video games, he had 28 tackles, two sacks and 5 tackles for loss.
Lynch is a former UCLA quarterback who transformed to tight finish and walked on at CU in 2020. He performed two seasons with the Buffs, filling a job at tight finish as a holder on place kicks.
