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UCLA Football: Bruins in the NFL – Rookies Roundup

By Ashley Tellier

Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defender Kenny Clark celebrates after recovering a fumble by the New York Giants in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defender Kenny Clark celebrates after recovering a fumble by the New York Giants in the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/The Post-Crescent via USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Damion Stafford (24) and linebacker Aaron Wallace (52) recover a fumble in the fourth quarter to beat the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Damion Stafford (24) and linebacker Aaron Wallace (52) recover a fumble in the fourth quarter to beat the Denver Broncos at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 13-10. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

OLB Aaron Wallace – Tennessee Titans

Linebacker Aaron Wallace was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the seventh round. Prior to leaving the UCLA Football team, Wallace recorded his best season leading the team in tackles for loss and sacks.

With the Titans, the rookie appeared in 10 games. He recorded 14 tackles, including 11 solo, and 1 sack in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos. Although Wallace’s rookie year has come to an end since the Titans did not make the playoffs, Wallace showed enough promise that he could have a strong second year.

TE Thomas Duarte – Miami Dolphins

There are times when it makes sense for a player to declare for the NFL Draft early and times when it definitely doesn’t. UCLA wide receiver Thomas Duarte decided to forego his last year with the Bruins to go pro.

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In 2015, Duarte was UCLA QB Josh Rosen’s go-to guy, and given what we saw in the 2016 UCLA Football season, Duarte would have been the number one target again. However, with Rosen’s injury, it’s hard to tell if Duarte would have had a productive season.

Still, he would have gotten more playing time than he did with the Miami Dolphins, the team that drafted him in the seventh round. Duarte was originally signed on to the practice squad. In Week 9 when a roster spot opened up, Duarte saw the opportunity to show he belonged in the NFL. Unfortunately, the rookie only saw limited action in that week, and he wasn’t even targeted for a catch.

The Dolphins will play Pittsburgh this Sunday (CBS at 10:05 AM PT), which could provide an opportunity for Duarte to see some action before his rookie season comes to an end. But I wouldn’t hold my breath at this point.

WR Devin Fuller – Atlanta Falcons

Wide receiver Devin Fuller was the last UCLA player to be selected in the 2016 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons took Fuller with the 238th pick.

Fuller displayed some promise during the preseason with the Falcons. In Atlanta’s preseason game against the Cleveland Browns, Fuller had 4 receptions for 49 yards, and 1 touchdown.

Unfortunately for the rookie, he injured his shoulder before the regular season started. As a result, the Falcons placed Fuller on injury reserve for the rest of 2016.

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We can only hope that comes next year, Fuller can build on what he showed on the preseason.