Noel

Devine

Devine, 24, went undrafted last April and walked out of Eagles training camp after just a few days. A former top high school recruit, YouTube sensation, and highly productive scatback in Rich Rodriguez’s zone-read spread offense, Devine was never going to make it in the big leagues as an 170-pound running back.

Devine was waived on Saturday, but apparently “left the squad on his own.” If true, it would raise an immediate red flag for any potential future suitors. The deck is already stacked against the under-sized (5-foot-8, 170 pounds) back, so it would be a shame if he gave teams another serious reason to overlook him.

The undrafted free agent out of West Virginia lasted just three days on the roster. Devine may be claimed off waivers elsewhere, but we don’t think he’s going to have any kind of an NFL career. Dion Lewis’ spot is secure for now.

The diminutive back, who’s reportedly gained 16 pounds this winter, has also met with the Bucs, Rams, Browns, and Steelers. A home-run threat in college, Devine is too small to be a full-time player in the NFL, but he could be a nice late-round flier for a Falcons team looking for playmakers.

The National Football Post’s Dan Pompei believes the undrafteds “could dangle for a couple of months.” ESPN’s Mel Kiper discussed this situation in a recent media conference call, but we weren’t sure if he was accurate because it’s been so underreported. It’s not a good year to go undrafted.

He’d be one of the smallest kickers in the league, if he was a kicker. Devine was known to be very small, but the Mountaineers listed him at 5'8/180. In reality, he’s got Trindon Holliday size. Devine is a third-day prospect.

One of those carries went for a touchdown, but only after he was stopped three times after the South team earned a 1st-and-goal at the North three-yard line. Almost comically under-sized at 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, Devine might be forced to go the undrafted free agent route this spring.

Devine also revealed that a sprained ankle held him back in Senior Bowl practices. He’s been on a six-week training regimen with New Orleans-based fitness guru Duke Rousse. The diminutive back has notched 400+ pounds on the bench press while working with Rousse. With the added weight, he’s back on the radar as a mid-to-late round pick.

Devine did not run at the Combine for unknown reasons. He’s up to 5-foot-8 and nearly 180 pounds, but is still a borderline draft-able back. Devine’s heavy workloads at West Virginia seemed to catch up to him late in his college career.

Atlanta is moving on from the often banged up Norwood, who is coming off ACL surgery. Backup Jason Snelling could also end up leaving via free agency. Beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter lists Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray, West Virginia’s Noel Devine and Louisville’s Bilal Powell as mid-round possibilities for the Falcons.