With no running backs expected to come off the board in the first round of this week’s draft, there could be a run on them as early as Round 2. One of the most highly regarded players at the position: Tre Mason.
There is one red flag on Mason, though. He’ll need wrist surgery after he’s drafted, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, which cited two doctors in its report.
According to NFL.com, Mason would still be able to pass a physical without the surgery. But six teams told NFL Media insider Ian Rapoport it has not impacted his draft stock whatsoever, and he is still projected to be a second- or third-round pick.
Combine exams revealed #Auburn RB Tre Mason had a bone in his wrist that wasn’t healing properly. Needs surgery, knocks him out of OTAs, etc
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 25, 2014
Talked to 6 teams on Tre Mason. No one says it hurts his stock at all RT @brettmcintyre: @RapSheet someone is getting a deal in fifth round?
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 4, 2014
The surgery would repair a chronic scaphoid fracture in Mason’s wrist, meaning a bone in his wrist did not properly heal. If and when he goes through with the surgery, Mason is expected to be ready for the pre-season, per Rappoport, though Mason has taken to Twitter to adamantly deny the reports.
Once again. I WILL NOT be having any type of surgery on my body! Well and healthy. Media is trying to paint a picture!
— Tre Mason (@TreMason21) April 25, 2014
NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah agreed that the news of a potential surgery has not had an effect on Mason’s draft stock, but did suggest that if a team values him evenly with another running back prospect, it could be the decisive factor of which player the team selects. Like other draft projections, Jeremiah considers Mason to be a mid to late second-round pick.
