NFL Notes: Ryan Shazier, Draft, Vikings

Ryan Shazier

On Sunday, Steelers LB Ryan Shazier was in attendance for Ohio State’s Spring game and was able to stand without assistance.

“Every day I’m getting a lot better,” Shazier told Marty Smith of ESPN. “I’m able to move around a lot more. I’m doing 1,000 times better than I was in December, and I’m just thanking everybody and all the prayers, because that’s definitely helping me get a lot better.”

Shazier sustained a serious spinal-cord injury last season that has left his football career in doubt, but he says he’s really thankful for people coming together on his behalf.

“You just always have to understand that anything can happen,” Shazier said. “Everybody always says it, but you always never think it can be you. In this situation, it really made me realize that. It also made me realize that in certain causes that a lot of people can come together no matter what the situation is, and I’m really thankful for that.”

Draft

• Darren Wolfson reports that Ohio State OL Billy Price had his medical recheck for the pectoral injury he suffered at the Combine on Friday. According to Wolfson, the recheck went well and Price is expected to be fully cleared before training camp.
• According to Tony Pauline, Auburn OL Braden Smith is “flying under the radar” as a late second- or early third-round pick as a tackle and has visited with the Panthers, Dolphins, and Redskins. The Giants have reportedly shown interest in Smith as well.
• Regarding Penn State OT Andrew Nelson missing from his school’s Pro Day and possibly contemplating retiring from football, Pauline reports that the prospect is recovering from knee surgery and intends to play in the NFL.

Vikings

• Andrew Krammer of the Star-Tribune writes that a close comparison for Vikings WR Stefon Diggs‘ next contract could be the four-year, $58 million deal signed by Packers WR Davante Adams last year.
• Krammer notes that Diggs’ 2018 salary will be around $1.9 million after having his salary increase nearly $1 million due to the NFL’s proven performance escalator program that awards players who play at least 35 percent of their team’s snaps in two of three NFL seasons.
• Darren Wolfson reports that the Vikings had a formal interview with Ohio State OL Billy Price at the Combine.