FAYETTEVILLE — A handful of players from schools in Arkansas have agreed to free-agent deals with NFL teams since the league’s draft ended Saturday, including Arkansas Razorbacks defensive tackle Malcolm Sheppard.
Sheppard, a second-team All-SEC selection, struck a free-agent deal with the Houston Texans. Sheppard, 6-3, 280 pounds, was impeded during the predraft workout period by injured ligaments in his shoulder, for which he did not undergo surgery.
ESPN. com’s Chris Low wrote Monday that the Texans “may have gotten a steal” in Sheppard, who has a “tweener” body, quick but undersized for a tackle, strong but without prototype size or speed as an end.
Arkansas State cornerback Marcus Brown, a native of Marianna, signed with the Seattle Seahawks. Brown, 6-1, 186 pounds, had 116 career tackles.
Arkansas defensive end Adrian Davis has agreed to a free agent deal with the St. Louis Rams, and receiver London Crawford has joined the Texans as a free agent.
It was a down year for the state during the three-day NFL Draft, with only three in-state players selected, plus former Springdale and Arkansas receiver Damian Williams of Southern California.
Arkansas State defensive end Alex Carrington was a third-round choice of the Buffalo Bills, while Central Arkansas defensive end Larry Hart went to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the fifth round, the same round Arkansas guard Mitch Petrus was selected by the New York Giants.
Giants General Manager Jerry Reese projected that Petrus, “because he’s got a vicious nature about him,” will compete for a guard spot immediately.
“Tough, rugged, in-your face guard, that’s what this guy is,” Reese said. “He can pull, he can do all the things that we ask our guards to do.”
Giants Coach Tom Coughlin called Petrus “a strong, physical player who gives us added depth inside. He was the right pick at that time.”
Giants blogger Craig Santucci called Petrus “the gem of the Giants draft.”
Sports, Pages 20 on 04/27/2010